London Universities and Colleges Athletics (LUCA) is the representative and governing body for university
athletics
Athletics may refer to:
Sports
* Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking
** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport
* Athletics (physical culture), competi ...
in London.
LUCA was formed in June 2015 following a merger of the London Colleges League (LCL) and the London Colleges Athletics Series (LCAS) competitions. LUCA is responsible for organising all competitions exclusive to university athletics clubs in London. This includes the
United Hospitals Athletics Shield. LUCA also organises development and volunteering programs.
LUCA is a membership organisation open to clubs of higher education establishments in London. The
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a public university in Reading, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1892 as University College, Reading, a University of Oxford extension college. The institution received the power to grant its own degrees in 192 ...
and the
University of Bedfordshire
The University of Bedfordshire is a public research university with campuses in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, England. The University has roots from 1882, however, it gained university status in 1993 as the University of Luton. The Universi ...
are the only universities outside London permitted to join LUCA. Only members of LUCA can score points in LUCA competitions but guests can often compete.
LUCA won the England Athletics, London region award for 'Best Project' in 2016.
History
LUCA was established by a merger of the organising committees of LCAS and LCL in July, 2015 in London. A constitutional committee consisting of LCL secretary, Jonny Laybourn (
University College London
, mottoeng = Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward
, established =
, type = Public research university
, endowment = £143 million (2020)
, budget = ...
), LCAS chairman, James Findon (
King's College London
King's College London (informally King's or KCL) is a public research university located in London, England. King's was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. In 1836, King's ...
) and AYAG chair, Jacob Hood (
University of East London
, mottoeng = Knowledge and the fulfilment of vows
, established = 1898 – West Ham Technical Institute1952 – West Ham College of Technology1970 – North East London Polytechnic1989 – Polytechnic of East London ...
) was immediately established to draft the LUCA constitution.
Mission and Role
According to the LUCA constitution, the objectives of LUCA are:
a) To improve the sport of athletics and promote it within the higher education sector in London in light of its unifying, educational, cultural and health values.
b) To organise its own competitions in London and strive to cover all disciplines of athletics
Competitions
LUCA organises four main athletics competitions. LUCA is also responsible for maintaining championship records at each of these events.
LUCA Cross Country League
The London Colleges League (LCL) is the long-standing cross country league for higher education institutions in London to compete in. From 2017 it became the 'LUCA Cross Country League'. The league is normally made up of five or six races held across two terms. Each race is hosted by a different university/college. Traditionally, the first race is hosted by
UCL at Parliament Hill and the final is hosted by
St Mary's University, Twickenham
, mottoeng = Show Thyself to be a Mother
, established = 1850 (as St Mary's College)2014 (gained university status)
, type = Public university
, religious_affiliation = Roman Catholic
, endowment ...
at Bushy Park. In the 2017–18 season, the final fixture was moved to Wormwood Scrubs.
Athletes are awarded points at each race. The athlete with the most points at the end of the league wins the championship. Points are also counted towards team totals. Starting in the 2018/19 season, a new trophy will be awarded to the team with the most points across men's and women's races. This trophy will be named in honor of the late Mike Baggs, who was the league's longest serving secretary.
Past Champions:
1999
Men: Neil Speaight (Brunell)
Women: Bethan Hopewell (Imperial College)
2000
Men: William Levett (Brunell)
Women: Dorothea Lee (Imperial College)
2001
Men:
Andy Hennessy (University College London)
Women:
Suzanne McCormick (Reading)
2002
Men:
Lee McCash (St. Mary's)
Women:
Jade Wright (St. Mary's)
2003
Men:
Andy Toward (St. Mary's)
Women:
Ariane Pritchard (Reading)
2004
Men:
Dennis Fricks (London School of Economics)
Women:
Eleanor Baker (Brunell)
2005
Men:
Phil Wicks (Royal Holloway)
Women:
Nina Griffith (University College)
2006
Men:
Matt Ashton (St. Mary's)
Women:
Vicky Callaway (St. Mary's)
2007
Men:
Ben Tyler (Brunell)
Women:
Bryony Proctor (St. Mary's)
2008
Men:
Jack Tyler (Brunell)
Women:
Sarah Luck (King's College)
2009
Men:
James Teuten (Imperial College)
Women:
Sarah Luck (King's College)
2010
Men:
Alex Milne (Imperial College)
Women:
Emily Moss (Royal Holloway)
2011
Men:
Matt Withey (St. Mary's)
Women:
Emily Moss (Royal Holloway)
2012
Men:
Adam Clarke (St. Mary's)
Women:
Emily Bliss (University College)
2013
Men:
Jason Prickett (St. Mary's)
Women:
Emily Hosker-Thornhill (St. Mary's)
2014
Men:
Matt Withey (St. Mary's)
Women:
Rachel Gifford (Brunell)
2015
Men:
Karl Billington (St. Mary's)
Women:
Alex Mundell (Imperial College)
2016
Men:
Jacob Allen (St. Mary's)
Women:
Typhaine Christiaen (London School of Economics)
2017
Men:
Duncan Tomlin (Courtauld Institute of Art)
Women:
Emma Dixon (Royal Veterinary College)
2018
Men:
Paddy Roddy (University College)
Women:
Philippa Bowden (Brunell)
2019
Men:
Thomas Butler (St. Mary's)
Women:
Georgia Curry (Imperial College)
LUCA Indoor Championships
The Indoor Championships is an indoor track and field event established in 2015 for higher education institutions in London. It replaced the University of London Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships ('UL Indoors') as London's indoor fixture for university track and field. The event includes three separate championships that are run together; The LUCA Championships (David Morgan Cup), the University of London Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships and the
United Hospitals Athletics Shield.
LUCA Outdoor Series
The Outdoor Series (previously known as the 'London College Athletics Series' (LCAS)) is a track and field series established in 2015 for higher education institutions in London to compete in. The inaugural series was won be
King's College London
King's College London (informally King's or KCL) is a public research university located in London, England. King's was established by royal charter in 1829 under the patronage of King George IV and the Duke of Wellington. In 1836, King's ...
. UCL won the series in 2016 and 2017.
Members
There are 23 members in total, including the alumni club Motspur AC.
Barts and the London Running Club
Brunel Athletics
Goldsmiths University Running Club
Imperial College Cross Country and Athletics Club
King's College London Athletics, Running and Cross-Country Club
Kingston University Tri-Club
London School of Economics Athletics and Running Club
Motspur AC
Middlesex University
Queen Mary Running and Athletics Club
Reading University Knights Athletics
Roehampton University Athletics Club
Royal Holloway Athletics and Cross Country Club
Royal Veterinary College Triathlon Club
SOAS Running Club
St George's Hospital Athletics Club
St Mary's University Athletics Club
University College London Running, Athletics and Cross-Country Club
University of Bedfordshire Athletics Club
University of East London Athletics Club
University of Essex Athletics Club
University of Greenwich Athletics and Running Club
University of London Athletics Club
References
{{reflist
Athletics organizations
Student sports governing bodies
Student sport in the United Kingdom
Sports governing bodies in the United Kingdom
2015 establishments in the United Kingdom
Sports organizations established in 2015