The Roses torch relay started through the ‘Be a Champion; campaign to create student led and Olympics inspired activities on university campus’. Here’s the lowdown on what’s going to be involved in the event and who is taking part.
Now that the torch has been designed and made, its time to carry it to Lancaster to mark the start of Roses 2012. Two relays will occur in week 2 to not only get the torch to Lancaster but to raise money and awareness for the York RAG beneficiaries.
Thursday 3rd May – York University Campus relay
The Roses Torch will be carried around campus to celebrate the making of the torch and to honor the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games happening in London this summer.
The campus relay will involve 13 people who have made a significant difference to university or college sport and will take place on Thursday 3rd May between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. A full list on what is occurring when and where is given below.
6:30pm – Sam Asfahani (York Sport president) will start the relay at the current York University sports centre.
6:35pm – Andrew “Candy” Kirkwood (Roses player of the year 2011) will take the torch through the lounge and James College
6:50pm – Louise Highton (BUCS medal winner for Fencing in 2012 and will compete in Fencing, Swimming and Water Polo in Roses 2012) will run through Wentworth and Biology.
6:55pm – The torch will be taken through Vanburgh College, taking in V bar and Vanburgh paradise down by the lake and over by the library. The runner is not confirmed yet, however likely runners include YUSU President Elect, Kallum Taylor, and the current Vanburgh chair, Matt Stephenson.
7:15pm – Liam Haeburn-Little (Alcuin College Rugby) will take the torch through the courts of Alcuin and will stop at B Henry’s before being carried to Central Hall.
7:25pm – Will Handley (Langwith College JCRC) will take the torch to the Courtyard and through the Quiet place
7:40pm – The torch will be taken through the courts of Halifax college and to JJs. Runners not confirmed.
8:00pm – Joe Boughtflower (2010/11 Derwent JCRC sports rep and Derwent Football 1sts) and Jamie Criswell (College sport MVP and Derwent Rugby) will carry the torch through Derwent, D bar and down the road heading towards Heslington East.
8:20pm – The torch will be taken through Goodricke College into the Hub. Runners to be confirmed.
8:30pm – Charlotte Winter (York Sport President Elect) will end the relay by taking the torch up to the New Sports Village.
Come out and cheer on the runners and seize the chance to see your roses torch in all its glory.
Friday 4th May – The Roses cycling relay
12 influential members of the York sport community will be cycling with the torch to complete its journey and transport the torch to Lancaster for Roses 2012. They will be aided by 6 members of the University of York Cycling club. Setting off from York at 8am, the cyclists will follow the “Way of the Roses” cycling route from York to Lancaster with each relay member completing 10 miles of the journey.
The cyclists are:
Richard Bremner (President University of York Rugby Club 2009/10)
Shadyn Nikzad (President of University of York Netball Club and York Sport Events and Fundraising officer 2011/12)
Kay Masterson (York Sport Tournament officer 2011/12)
Tess Webb (University of York Netball)
Ayesha Cotton (James College sport woman of the year 2010/11)
Sophie Gorman (University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club)
Yaroslav Magnus-Hamblett (University of York Swimming and Water Polo Club)
Chris Unsworth (Services to Sport 2010/11 and York Sport Development Officer 2011/12)
James Croydon (Student Activities Sabbatical officer 2011/12)
Laura Macfarlane (University of York Rowing)
Catherine Oliver (University of York Rowing President 2011/12)
Chris Menon (University of York Lacrosse President 2012/13)
The York University Cycling club members taking part are Jess Taylor, Ben Snowden, Kaj Scarsbrook, Luke Fox, Sam Godfrey Mayes, Greg Markin and Greg Melia.
The initiative truly represents the theme of Roses this year; participation. This can be seen in that RAG, volunteering, college sport, york sport, the JCRCs, arts and media societies have all been involved in this project.