Just as the pinnacle of the University’s sporting season finishes and we wave goodbye to an exhilarating Roses contest, a new sporting rivalry is renewed as we brace for the return of college derbies. Regaining our Roses title during a 50th anniversary year is one thing, but for many sport hungry Lancaster students, it is victory a little closer to home that really tastes sweetest. Yes folks, Legends and Founders are almost upon us.
In the same vein as the hotly contested Patriots tournament between Cartmel and Furness last term, Legends and Founders aim to encompass all aspects of a college rivalry to produce a memorable and enjoyable tournament for all involved.
Founders is, as its name suggests, a clash of the two founding colleges of Lancaster University: Bowland and Lonsdale. Taking place in Week 8 of this term, the two colleges will slug it out in a series of events to win points for their colleges, much in the same way Roses is done. Everything from tug of war to handball is contested and both teams will be going all out to claim victory and bragging rights over their old rivals. Arguably the most heated of all the rivalries, Founders certainly has its fair share of historical moments, Lonsdale’s victory in 2012 was particularly memorable following seven consecutive Bowland wins in the years before.
Legends is a similarly run tournament taking place in Week 9, but instead involves four colleges competing for the title. Fylde, County, Grizedale and Pendle may be the last quartet to compete in their yearly inter-college event, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable for those involved. Legends also has the reputation for being perhaps a little less intense than Founders and Patriots, which is to be expected with four teams competing, but it certainly emphasises enjoyment for students following a stressful exam period.
All five colleges competing in these tournaments encourage student participation, regardless of ability or competitiveness. The main aim of the friendly rivalry is to stir up college pride and engage students in some enjoyable competition alongside their friends, whilst the JCRs of each college work extremely hard in ensuring their event is as good as possible.
Signup sheets for events are up for all of the participating colleges and each welcomes participation from both new and experienced competitors. For students who think even friendly competition isn’t their thing, the colleges encourage members to simply come down and support those who are playing. The Fresher’s week chants will undoubtedly re-surface once again and the fields will be a mish-mash of different colours, as college pride comes to the fore.
Whether you’re belting out “the fields of County road” at Legends, or “lady in red” at Founders, college rivalries really are one of the best way to celebrate finishing your exams and bring the college together before an end of year bash at your respective Extrav.
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