The Duckworth Challenge was started back in the 1991-92 Canada West season when the late Dr. Henry E. Duckworth, President of the University of Winnipeg from 1971-81 and Chancellor of the University of Manitoba from 1986-92, wanted to profile the cross-town rivalry between the University of Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba. 

Since the Duckworth Challenge began, Manitoba has claimed the trophy a total of 19 times while Winnipeg has earned the title 12 times. Manitoba most recently claimed the title last season, 3-2. 

The format of the iconic challenge is what makes the competition unique. Events are held at both universities throughout the Canada West season and involve the sports of volleyball, basketball and women's soccer. Each year the venue for the sports is alternated between the school campuses and always draws a big crowd at both locations.

"For me, it's just the joy of a cross-town rivalry. Everyone gets excited, everyone gets hyped," said Keziah Brothers, fifth-year guard for the Bisons women's basketball team.

"I think naturally, it's a much more emotional game and emotional weekend. Most of us have played with or against these girls, maybe our whole lives, and so it's not like you're going to a new place and playing against someone you've never met before. It's more exciting, more emotional, a little bit feels like there is more at stake, even though it is still a regular season game. That's just the nature of the rivalry."

Isaac Miller-Jose from the men's basketball team added: "More competition and more community engagement is always nice. Whenever there are rivalry games like this, we get more fans coming out to the game. There is just a better environment for these games. I think there's a lot of encouragement and some trash talking as well but it's all a part of the fun. It brings a little bit of extra competitiveness in these games."

The University of Winnipeg held the trophy from 2017-2021 before Manitoba took back the provincial bragging rights during the 2021-22 Canada West campaign. 
For 2022-23, Manitoba's women's soccer team earned a clean sweep over Winnipeg, taking the pair of games on October 6 and October 8 by a combined score of 9-0, giving the Bisons the early edge in their quest to retain the Duckworth Challenge title for this season.  

Friday, Feb. 3 will see this year's winner crowned after Winnipeg and Manitoba face each other on the basketball court. The Wesmen hold a 2-1 lead after sweeping volleyball yesterday. 

The Bisons women's basketball team will look to play spoiler this weekend when they take on Winnipeg who are currently fighting for one of the top seeds in the conference with a 12-4 record. For Brothers, it could mark the final time she takes to the court inside the Investors Group Athletic Centre in the Bisons uniform. 

"It kind of ends up being a lot because on Friday night, it's our Shoot for the Cure, the beginning of Duckworth challenge for the basketball teams and also our senior night. Everything is coming together in this one night. At the end of the game, I'm going to be emotional, just knowing that it's probably going to be the last time I play on that floor. I'm really looking forward to it. I see it as a huge opportunity to play the game I know, to have a ton of fun, to enjoy it with my teammates and my coaches for the last time on that floor and to leave it all out there."

In men's basketball, the Bisons currently sit atop the conference standings with a 15-1 record overall , ranking them No.8 in the U SPORTS national rankings. The Wesman however, are right behind them in the standings with a record of 13-3, setting up what should be an intense two-game weekend series between two of the conference juggernauts. Tje game will also serve as Miller-Jose's final regular season home contest as a Bison.

"I love games with intensity. I love the competition level. Anytime that we play against good teams, that's what really gets me excited," commented Miller-Jose. "I think playing a strong team at this point in the season is incredibly valuable. If you want to be one of those teams that are in contention in playoffs, you have to have a lot of practice, a lot of time playing against the top of the top. So I think it's a timely game against them. If we can come away from the weekend with two wins, that will give us a lot of confidence going into the playoffs."