York students determined to win modern day war of the Roses
Posted on 30 April 2013
Always a competitive affair, this year’s sporting challenge from 3 to 5 May between the Universities of York and Lancaster promises to be especially fierce as York vies to win back the James Carter trophy after its narrow defeat last year.
Roses 2013 has a new community focus, building on the work of the University of York Students’ Union (YUSU) to create a closer relationship between students and the local York community.
All on-campus events are free for local residents to attend and a new Roses Fun Run means students, alumni, university staff and York residents can compete alongside each other in either a 5km or 10km run.
Funds from the Fun Run will go towards YUSU’s community project, Project Snowball, which aims to refurbish and expand the facilities at Snowball Plantation, a Scouting retreat. This is used several times a year by YUSU’s Kids Camp project which gives holidays to local children who need a break.
Now in its 49th year, Roses is the biggest inter-varsity sports tournament in Europe and takes its inspiration from the series of bloody civil wars between the houses of York and Lancaster in the 15th century.
The Roses tournament is more anticipated than ever in our 50th year, particularly as we will be joined by so many of our alumni at this year’s event
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor
Charlotte Winter, YUSU’s York Sport President, said: “After last year’s narrow defeat to Lancaster, York is determined to win back the Carter James Trophy. This is further driven with the celebration of our 50th birthday. With so many alumni returning, it would be great to show how far the York Sport Union has come in this time.”
Featuring 38 different events, ranging from football to fencing, and archery to Ultimate Frisbee, the annual tournament will begin with an opening ceremony at the Huntington Stadium, headlined by the Rugby First Team fixture.
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, said: “The Roses tournament is more anticipated than ever in our 50th year, particularly as we will be joined by so many of our alumni at this year’s event. But it is also a celebration of sport that has captured the imagination of the wider York community and this year will raise funds for Project Snowball.
“It also gives us the opportunity to welcome our friends from across the Pennines and reinforce the strong links between our two great universities.”
The Chancellors of the two Universities, Greg Dyke and Sir Chris Bonington, the two Vice-Chancellors and the two Presidents of the Students’ Unions will enter the spirit of the tournament with a friendly croquet match on the lawn outside Heslington Hall.
The Roses tournament will also provide a chance for alumni and the local York community to see the fantastic new sporting facilities at York Sport Village, which include a 25m competition standard swimming pool. All facilities at the new £9 million complex are available for use by students, staff and the public.
The sporting tournament, which is sponsored by Ernst & Young and supported by gifts to York from alumni and friends of the University, will end with a spectacular closing ceremony in the University’s Central Hall on Sunday, 5 May.
Further details about the events taking place are available at www.yusu.org/roses. Entry to the 5km and 10km Fun Runs costs £5. Visit www.yusu.org/shop to book a place.
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