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Concordia Winter 2024

Class Notes

OMT Sporting Success

Oh my tuk tuk… In December, Parag Dhanani (1998–2003) and Rushab Shah (2008–2013) and their fathers are setting off to India to drive 3,000km on a traditional three-wheel autorickshaw from Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu) to Bhuj (Gujarat) over 12 days, traversing the southwestern states of Kerela, Karnataka and Maharashtra. This gruelling challenge is in aid of charitable endeavours that align with their professions and passions. facilities for children from low income families, giving them a safe place to live and study. It also supports an education programme, empowering children with the education they need to break free from the cycle of poverty. With a long-held interest in the spirit of community and creativity, Parag qualified as a chartered architect and town planner. He has been involved in a range of projects, from enhancing the quality of lives in family homes to urban masterplans and unlocking the potential for development at a major scale. He is currently responsible for the assessment of complex proposals that are put forward for planning consent. Rushab, a mechanical engineer by background and successful industry leader, has more recently established himself as a pioneer in the re-engineering of the education system. His aim is to change the perception of how education should be delivered. Taking advantage of emerging digital technologies and using his ever-growing network, he is actively transforming the lives of the next generation. The money raised, for Shishukunj, will help build residential and academic

Aaryan Sawant (2017–2024)

Aaryan Sawant, one of our ambassadors for the Julian Hill Cricket Centre campaign, has had a double success in recent months, signing his first professional contract with Middlesex County Cricket Club and being selected for the England Under-19 tour of South Africa in January. Aaryan left Merchant Taylors’ School in July 2024 and has made a huge impression in Middlesex’s emerging-player programme in recent seasons; he has also made his mark in Second Eleven cricket for Middlesex. He played through the age groups with Middlesex, made his Second Eleven debut for the Club at the age of just 15 in 2021 and has since gone on to make five Second Eleven T20 appearances and ten Second Eleven Championship appearances for the Club. Earlier this year, Aaryan notched his first century for the Second Eleven in Championship cricket, hitting an unbeaten hundred against Hampshire at Radlett in April. He hit 70 in his next game, against Essex, and then knocks of 72 in the first innings and a match-winning unbeaten 173* in the second innings against Yorkshire. In three Second Eleven Championship matches in 2024 he has hit a staggering 436 runs, with two hundreds and two fifties, at an average of 145.33. Speaking of Sawant signing his first professional contract with the Club, Alan Coleman, Managing Director of Cricket, commented: ‘Aaryan is an exceptionally talented young batter who has a huge future in the game, and he’s already proved that he has what’s required to make the step up to the next level. We can’t wait to see how Aaryan progresses over the next couple of years and wish him every success as he makes his first steps as a young professional cricketer’. On signing professional terms with Middlesex, Aaryan Sawant said ‘It’s an honour to have signed for my boyhood club of Middlesex. I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started’.

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Aaryan Sawant with Ian Williams, Bursar, and Andrew Cornish (1979–1984), MCCC CEO, at the 2024 MCCC cricket awards 2024

Development

Will Porter (2010–2017) At the time of going to press, we were excited to learn that scrum-half Will Porter has just re-signed for Harlequins and has been selected for the England As.