THE WHITE ROSE TIMELINE
ABOUT
It’s Back! Roses 2023
After a four year break, Roses is back on York turf for 2023. We have a whole weekend of sports, fundraising, club nights and more activities for you to get your teeth into!
A LONG LASTING RIVARLY
HOW IT ALL STARTED
13th May 1965
"ROSES BATTLE ON A RIVER"
“All traditions have to begin sometime and for the Universities of York and Lancaster, Saturday is a historic occasion”
Yorkshire Post, 13 May 1965
Image credit, Yorkshire Post, 1965 ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
2-4 May 1969
Roses weekend continues to grow in size, with new sports added every year.
Image credit, York Sport Union Newspaper, 1969 ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
22nd April 1974
The buzz around Roses contines, with the 10th annual roses held in Lancaster. This is the only year where a draw has been recorded.
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper, 1974 ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
18 May 1978
“MAGIC YORK WIN”
York continues to show that #RosesAreWhite.
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
5 May 1989
"25 ANNIVERSARY"
“25th anniversary blossoms for the White Rose” - York wins again!
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
15 May 1992
“Roses victory is sweet” “Lancaster 90 ½ York 100 ½”.
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper- ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
29 April 1993
Vintage merch anyone?
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
12 May 1995
“York Triumph 122-99”
“four wins in last 5 years” - York on top form!
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
13th May 1965
"ROSES BATTLE ON A RIVER"
“All traditions have to begin sometime and for the Universities of York and Lancaster, Saturday is a historic occasion”
Yorkshire Post, 13 May 1965
Image credit, Yorkshire Post, 1965 ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
22nd April 1974
The buzz around Roses contines, with the 10th annual roses held in Lancaster. This is the only year where a draw has been recorded.
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper, 1974 ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
5 May 1989
"25 ANNIVERSARY"
“25th anniversary blossoms for the White Rose” - York wins again!
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
29 April 1993
Vintage merch anyone?
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
2-4 May 1969
Roses weekend continues to grow in size, with new sports added every year.
Image credit, York Sport Union Newspaper, 1969 ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
18 May 1978
“MAGIC YORK WIN”
York continues to show that #RosesAreWhite.
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
15 May 1992
“Roses victory is sweet” “Lancaster 90 ½ York 100 ½”.
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper- ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
12 May 1995
“York Triumph 122-99”
“four wins in last 5 years” - York on top form!
Image credit York Sport Union Newspaper ('From an original held at the Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York')
ROSES TODAY
Roses continued to grow in size, as did students’ love for it. From an Opening Ceremony in the York Stadium in 2012, to Mark Addy hosting in 2019, Roses is an ingrained part of York life.
However, the tournament has had its share of setbacks. Roses 2020 was cancelled for the first time in its nearly sixty year history due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic continuing into 2021, we decided to re-invent Roses so students could still get involved.
Introducing Roses Unlocked!
Roses Unlocked was a special online version of Roses that saw York and Lancaster athletes compete at home or on their respective campuses. Despite fixtures happening 100 miles apart, the tournament was a huge success and brought students together after spending the last year in lockdown.
In 2023, Roses is back at home and bigger than ever. From its small beginnings it has transformed into a campus and city-wide event with thousands of students and local residents getting involved. Not only is it a chance to celebrate the talent of student athletes, it's an event for public good, with thousands of pounds raised for charity each year.
If you have any photos from previous Roses events, please consider submitting to the archives to preserve the memory of this amazing event. Please send any photos to university-archive@york.ac.uk.
Also be sure to tag @yorkunisu on social media, we’d love to see them!
The university is also collecting documents for its ‘Student Life Collection’. Become a part of the University’s history and submit any photos or documents.
A SHOUT OUT TO OUR SPONSORS:
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