Alex Lacy’s Final Word
Photo: George Lowther
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Soon I will be able to eat properly again and have a life that… well: I’ll be able to have a life. I might, given a few months, be able to construct a sentence that doesn’t include the words ‘YUSU’ or ‘York Sport’. I remember having hobbies once, and friends I didn’t work with. I remember a life not spent on Google Mail.
I’ve been worrying about this article since being asked to write it, and I want to write something personal. We’ve done well in BUCS and at Roses so I should probably mention them, but having done the York Sport Dinner last night I’ve had my fill of the sporting accomplishment circle-jerk. Even Nouse and YSTV got some sporty wrist-love, and if that isn’t a sign of inclusivity I don’t know what is.
Speaking of inclusivity and other made-up words, it was wicked to present probably the first ever full colours for Ben Lairig. Ben Lairig, as you may know, is hill walking, and as such is frequently the butt of ‘that’s not a real sport’ jokes. I imagine some traditionalists shit in their pints, seeing it as the first step in the demise of sport at York and the rise of Gehenna. Poppycock. Doing mountains for time is fairly awesome, and it’s about time we recognised that. The truth is we have many clubs who routinely do the incredible, and all I can say is that they need to shout about it a bit more.
Whilst I’m giving out unsolicited advice I’ve got another good one: get involved. And by ‘get involved’ I don’t mean whine more. The elections this year were the first in a good few years where both the full-time and part-time positions were well contested. This is very good, but we’re not daisy-chaining quite yet. For every person who got off their arse and ran for something there are ten who were content to sit on the sidelines and just complain. If you don’t like something try fixing things- it’s what the rest of us have been doing and it seems to get things done, and if you’ve got time to whine you’ve got time to work. Whining won’t fix a problem, it just gives it a shit soundtrack.
Just to clarify: this isn’t whining, it’s wrath. It’s not real wrath anyway- more the grumblings of a perfectionist. It really has been a joy to be President this year, though I’m glad I don’t have to do it again. Maybe it will be easier next year now that the wheels are moving, but it will still be a lot of work.
It’s been a year of huge changes, and the most important has been how clubs have started working together. It’ll be what makes or breaks sport at York, and it’s down to every sports man and women to keep it going. Yeah, the BUCS results and Roses were good, but I can’t help but feel that the new culture of collaboration is the victory that will make a difference for years to come. It’ll spread too: already people are starting to see the sports centre as something more than a bastion of shite.
Anyway, we’re getting dangerously close to a touching moment (last penis joke, I promise) so I better leave it here. Congratulations, thank you, and keep up the good work you miserable bastards. Emily: try not to re brand anything whilst I’m gone.
Loading ...
From somebody who has done zero college or university sport (I know, I’m not exactly proud of it): thank you, it’s been great having you in charge of York Sport this year. The infectious ‘banter’ has been unparalleled.