04
November
2019
|
09:21
Europe/London
University celebrates 100 years of inter-varsity sport in the UK
The University of Manchester - one of the 11 founding members of inter-varsity sport -has celebrated its 100th anniversary at a special event.
The first ever track and field event held in May 1919 was at the University’s Fallowfield campus, contested by the then inter-varsity Athletics Board of England and Wales (IVAB)
The 11 founding members were Aberystwyth, Bangor, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Durham.
Students, staff, and alumni heard Vince Mayne, CEO of the current version IVAB, British University College Sport (BUCS) spoke about how physical activity in the sector has grown and developed over a 100 years
He highlighted the huge scale of student competitions in the UK and the investments in world class sporting facilities across the sector.
Vicky Ackerley, Head of Sport & Active Lifestyles also payed homage student athletes included Ron Unsworth, a former Olympian who advocated for the University and its sporting legacy throughout his life.
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We are very lucky to have such a rich sporting heritage at The University of Manchester, and to have played a crucial role in the creation of inter-varsity sport across the UK one hundred years ago. This event has enabled us to reflect on previous glory and celebrate how sport in higher education has grown and evolved, and more than ever is contributing to the development and wellbeing of our people
Vicky Ackerley, Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles
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She also outlined the University’s most recent £90m student accommodation development in Fallowfield, Unsworth Park named in his memory.
The University’s sporting legacy dates back to over 100 years: the Athletic Union established in 1885, along with the Christie Championships vs. Leeds and Liverpool Universities founded a year later, and highlighted the impact of our sporting Alumni XXI Club.
A panel discussion chaired by Alumna and former European Judo Champion Rowena Birch, highlighted the sporting and education journeys of four current students Thomas Lewis (Mathematics 3rd year) Allen Judge (Law with Politics 2nd Year), Jason Hui (Material Sciences PhD final year) and Grace Harvey (Immunology 2nd year).
Vicky concluded the evening celebrating the wide programme and workforce that engage over 16,000 students & staff each year, highlighting the employability skills gained through voluntary workforce opportunities, engagement with civic and social responsibility agendas through the annual Purple Wave 10k event, through to de-stress programmes especially around exam periods that support student wellbeing.
She said: ‘We are very lucky to have such a rich sporting heritage at The University of Manchester, and to have played a crucial role in the creation of inter-varsity sport across the UK one hundred years ago. This event has enabled us to reflect on previous glory and celebrate how sport in higher education has grown and evolved, and more than ever is contributing to the development and wellbeing of our people”