| Admin_History | Ushaw College was established in 1808 as a seminary for the training of Catholic priests but extra - curricula activities added colour to the routine and rigour of daily life, both for students and staff. Societies and associations were established as a way of enabling students to realise their potential outside of the academic environment and develop a sense of belonging and identity associated with being part of a group of like - minded people. There was a wide range of societies at Ushaw catering for all tastes and interests, including religious confraternities and sodalities, sports societies, historical societies, philosophical and debating societies, and societies based around specific year groups (Big Lads United). In a similar way to public schools, sport was an important component of college life, with the traditional football, cricket, and tennis games (although not rugby) complemented and often eclipsed by the popularity of games unique to Ushaw, including Handball, and Keeping Up (also known as Battledore). The most popular of game of all was Cat, which was imported from Douai College and alleged to have influenced the development of American baseball. Aside from societies and sporting events, students and staff produced and performed in plays and operettas which provided entertaining diversions for the participants and their fellow students during the long winter evenings. Finally, the celebration and commemoration of special events, whether feast days, historical events, or college jubilees, were a central part of the college calendar and often presented an opportunity to showcase the college to the outside world. |