About Varsity

Over the spring academic term of 2009, University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University will compete in a number of high profile sporting events. For every win, the relevant university is awarded one Varsity point, which contributes to the overall Varsity Cup. The University who gains the most wins from all events goes home with the Varsity Trophy and, of course, the pride of knowing that they have beaten their closest rival.

Varsity events have always provided competitive matches of the highest level, with both sides including national representatives. Its not only the players who get competitive, as off the field, amongst the thousand of student fans, there is an electric atmosphere that you can only find at any hard fought derby. The results often sit on a knife-edge and with the series as unpredictable as ever, the coming year looks to be an exciting one.

That said, the main purpose of the event is to provide a fun and innovative of way of promoting and supporting an important fund-raising programme which would further the achievements of local and regional charity organisations.

In the past, beneficiaries have included The Danielle Becon Memorial Trust, Nottingham City Hospital NHS Charitable Fund, The Children’s Centre, Tsunami Appeal, CP Sport and Nottingham Royal Society for the Blind.

This year we are proud to name our Varisty Charity as Balls to Poverty.

We are also pleased to announce that a new sport is being added to the Series this year, so best of luck to the Swimming Team.

If you want to come along to cheer on your university at any of the matches you can buy tickets from the Students' Union Reception in the Portland Building or from Karni Reps at the University of Nottingham and from Raggies or the Sports Office at either campus from Nottingham Trent.
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Last year's Series

Unfortunately, despite a valiant attempt at a fight back by the 'real' uni, we lost the series 7 1/2 - 4 1/2. Trent managed to win the men's hockey then the cricket to seal the series. We did however, manage to raise well over £9,300 for Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind, smashing last year's total of £6,741!

Charity Varsity Highlights:

Varsity Ice Hockey

Varsity Football

Varsity Basketball

 

The Varsity Events

All Varsity events are exposed to over 55,000 students. Five of the events are held at nationally renowned venues giving Nottingham Universities Varsity Series one of the highest profiles across the UK.

· Varsity Football

Attendance 2008: c.3,500

The football always has the crowds on edge as goals fly in from both sides, this year with the use of the family stand noise levels are set to rise even more. The women’s match kicks off at 5pm with the men’s following at 7.45pm. After the matches there will be a presentation of the trophies and medals for the winning teams.

· Varsity Basketball & Netball

Attendance 2008: c.600

The Basketball and Netball both drew big crowds in 2008, and now with the profile of these events increasing the popularity will be sure to grow with them. All three matches are held on the same day, with women’s basketball, netball and men’s basketball all played on the same court during one afternoon. Along side these great events there will be varsity volleyball and korfball, which will create an even busier atmosphere with five sports being played in one afternoon.

· Varsity Rugby Union

Attendance 2008: c.2,500

The Rugby Union event begins with the exciting finale of a two-month TAG Rugby community project, in which over 50 students from both universities will have been coaching teams from various Nottingham primary schools. Four years ago this very project, known as ‘Varsity in the Community’ won an award for Extraordinarily Outstanding Achievement at the National Student Volunteering Award Ceremony held at Twickenham Rugby Club.

The women’s match will follow the TAG final at 5pm, with the men’s final at 7.30pm. Similar to the football, the cheerleaders will keep the crowds roaring and the winners will be presented with medals and the trophy.

· Varsity Cricket

Held at one of Nottingham’s finest Cricket Grounds, it is always a very popular event, with crowds relaxing on a sunny summer’s afternoon. There will be half time entertainment from the cheerleaders and depending on the weather also from our charity and local schools. Being the finale of the Varsity Series for 2008 this event receives great support as it frequently comes to a nail biting finish.

· Varsity Hockey

Attendance 2008: c.700

The Varsity hockey is played on a top UK water based pitch here in Nottingham, and has been increasing in size rapidly over the last two years. With the games being played on a Wednesday afternoon students need no more encouragement to flock to Highfields and support all the hockey teams as they battle it out once more for those essential varsity points.

· Varsity Ice Hockey

Attendance 2008: c.5,000

Despite being the most recent addition to the Varsity series, the Ice Hockey match has a reputation of one not to be missed. The event will also include the cheerleaders, puck competition, and a boxing match

· Varsity Rugby League

Attendance 2008: c.500

With the profile of rugby league increasing across the UK, this event continues to attract more and more support. The event will hold two matches, one being the 1^st team and the second being the 2^nd teams, highlighting an exciting afternoon of rugby league.

If you wish to know any more details, or to know how you get involved with organising any/all of these events, please contact the Athletic Union Officer, Paul Lloyd:

aupresident@nottingham.ac.uk

Tel: 0115 8468786

Fax: 0115 8468801

Varsity Basketball Team Video

Charity Varsity Sponsors 2008/2009

Varsity Series would like to thank the sponsors for all their support and contributions to the Charity Varsity Matches, without the support of these businesses the Varsity Series could not happen.

KPMG are the title sponsor of the University of Nottingham Athletic Union and wish all University of Nottingham teams the very best in the Charity Varsity Series 2007.

KPMG are a major graduate recruiter, in areas of audit, advisory & finance.

The Charity

Varsity in the Community

Each year the Varsity program between both Nottingham Trent and the University of Nottingham aims to bring Varsity back to it’s roots. Over recent years the two universities have worked together in order to inject a sense of community into the event.

This is where Varsity for Children comes in.