***SUMMER STARTERS***
I remember the anticipation, the excitement, the buzz all leading up to what would be described as the greatest show on earth. The London Olympic Games of 2012. I was lucky enough to be there on that super Saturday. The atmosphere was overwhelming and I’m left wondering will the sporting events of summer 2013 provide me with anything like the feelings I experienced at and watching London 2012. So watch will match up this summer?
We haven’t got the Olympics but we have got the small equivalent of the World Athletic Championships to enjoy. A chance to see if the new Olympians were worthy of that elusive gold medal. And personally for me it’s just a chance to sit in awe of Usain Bolt’s capabilities and ask my Dad yet again if he has been fiddling with the television because there’s no way anyone can run that far that fast. No doubt I will also be tuning in to catch a glimpse of golden girl Jessica Ennis, though some may be doing it waiting for the camera angle of her perfect bottom. I for one will be watching see if she can beat all those personal bests she set at the Olympics and take the sporting world by storm yet again. I guess I shall you on top on the podium then.
A regular on the summer circuit and after last year sat enthralling watching no doubt I will again be glued to the Tour de France, hell I might even pop to Paris to see Mark Cavendish storming down the Arc de Triomphe. And what with last year’s winner Bradley Wiggins missing out on this year’s tour due to a combination of illness and injury, team Sky have been significantly weakened. But, the legendary yellow jersey is once again up for grabs and everyone is for the taking, I doubt it will be a British face that wins it this year. Then again prove me wrong.
And you can’t forget the old English game of cricket. It will once again be back as England take on Australia in The Ashes. It’s the only cricket tournament that matters. Always full of howzat and a few ducks it surely won’t disappoint. With England having the home advantage they will be difficult to beat. Australia’s chances don’t look good after their recent performances, but then again anything can happen in the fight for the urn. With Piertersen looking likely to return, Australia will be wrestling for a win. At least they can teach us how to do a good shrimp on the BBQ afterwards.
It’s already underway but it hits in its peak in summer. With the traditional grass court of Wimbledon bringing the game to life, it’s sure to hold some excitement. Games of point, set, and match. There’s bound to be a new face coming out of the blue for a surprise win, and the old favourites such as Rafael Nadal and Djokovic will show them how it’s done. Grab the strawberries and cream before the run out and sit down and enjoy. And to your enjoyment it won’t be over to soon as the U.S Open also returns at the end of the summer for more super servers and enthralling matches. There’s the hope in the Brits and more so the Scottish that Andy Murray will regain the trophy. I wouldn’t bet my money on Murray but I shall watch late into the night wit anticipation to see who wins.
Every couple of years there is the chance to see the Lions get together and go on a charge to exert their power in the great game of rugby over the southern hemisphere. This time against Australia, it’s sure to provide some great viewing. With the warm up matches well underway it won’t be long until the first test is underway and Sam Warburton will hopefully be back at full fitness in time. So Lions let’s hear your roar!
I feel the need, the need for speed! The highly competitive season is fully underway. The checked flag has already been waved six times this season and with four different winners, already the rest of the season promises to be just as open. The big names are up there already with Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes’s and Lotus up for the championship there is sure to be more turn, twists and crashes on the way to the final race. I had best strap in and hold on then.
But will any of the events provide me with the shocks and dramas of last year. I’m not sure it can match in terms of spectacle although I for one will surely be spending much time in front of the television this summer. Now where’s the remote control gone.
***THE CHANGING OF COLOURS***
With Charlotte Winter stepping down as York Sport President at the end of the year, it’s time for new President to take over. With the campaigning, debates and endless facebook posts pleading for votes now over. It’s time for Cass Brown to step up to the mark and show her worth. But, with the bar set so high, can she make her mark?
Winter shall be bowing out of her term as York Sport President after a very successful year. Achieving her wish of bringing home the James Carter Trophy was a key success: well and truly turning all the Roses white, she had a superb Roses tournament and put Lancaster to the sword by absolutely trouncing them. She has also been keen to push the cause of disabled sport on campus, creating disabled student taster sessions which have proved successful. Cass Brown should be looking to follow in Winter’s footsteps her and continued the building of disabled sport at York.
With a disappointing White Roses Varsity this year, mainly due to faults on Hull’s part. Cass Brown will have the unenviable task to try and turn it around so it’s not just simply the warm up event to Roses that many label it to be. The competition will be held in York next year and this should help, but it will be interesting to see what she proposes to improved the much maligned tournament.
Her biggest challenge of the year, no doubt will be recreating the atmosphere of Roses away from home as well as making sure not just the sporting community but the whole of campus is included in Roses. Also on the list will be the job of making sure the event runs smoothly despite being on different turf. And then there’s the task of making sure we retain the trophy, with the plan of an Easter summer camp hopefully all this will be possible.
Excelling her own sport as President of the Badminton Club. Cass Brown has already shown she has more than enough capabilities in place to ensure the sporting success of York continues. And what with the new York Sport Committee now elected, Cass Brown has all the credentials in place ready to take over from Winter and possibly
***A FRESHER’S FIRST YEAR IN SPORT***
When I came to York, I didn’t plan on joining a sports team. I just planned to make a few friends and get by quietly.
So, that didn’t quiet happen. I turned up at University netball trials believing they were trials for the Vanbrugh College Netball Team thinking this is all a bit serious. Low and behold I was successful at getting in, a complete shock after not playing netball for around two years. It’s safe to say after my fresher’s year that mistake of turning up to University Netball trails was one of the greatest mistakes I will ever make.
Becoming part of a sport’s team at university is something I would advise all to do. They become your family. I would argue the netball girls are like my sisters. You spend so much time training and socialising together that you grow so close to each other very quickly.
Some would argue that being part of a sports team would mean you isolate yourself from all other aspects of university life, becoming solely focused on sport and only speaking and associating with those within the sporting community. Arguably true, but I have many friends outside of sport who are friend with my sporting friends. It nice to have friends inside and outside sport, most do.
From a fresher’s viewpoint I see that involvement in sports gives opportunities despite the hard work and sweat at training, yes that sports tent is a sauna. I would never have considered writing this article or being sports editor if I had of gotten involved with netball. It’s opened by eyes to many other sports and allowed me to see behind the scenes of a paper, something I am keen to continue.
Personally, though the best part for me is playing. The adreline you get through playing I cannot put into words. I run off the buzz, it gets me through the game. They say you never forget your first Roses and I shall not. Walking round and seeing so many sports was pure bliss and I wish I could try my hand at some, especially Ultimate Frisbee. Game day now is blur, the excitement, the crowd, the anticipation was all there and I won’t forget it in a heartbeat. Its strangest things you remember, being told in the showers after the game I received man of the match is a questionable but highlight of my year.
So, my advice for fresher’s next year would be to have the mistake of going to sporting trails and see where is takes you. Never know you could be writing this exact article next year.