Some might think of Varsity as just another sporting event, for the athletes of UWE and not for the masses. What they don’t know is that the Varsity Series is full of history, talent, competition, pure grit and passion.
This March, over 1,500 students from both the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol will compete in 27 sports for the prestigious title of Varsity Champions in the 22nd edition of the annual event. Whether you play sport or not, like to watch it or are just a proud student of the university, here’s why you need to be a part of it.
Serena Smith, VP Sports & Health says,
“If you’re part of a Sports Club at UWE, Varsity is one of the biggest and most exciting events of the year. It’s the build-up, the stories from past years that your club captains tell you, it’s not hard to see and feel it yourself, the huge rivalry between UWE and UOB.
With over 5000 students and members of the Bristol community engaging with the series, it’s about so much more than just winning. Whether you like sports or not, Varsity is the time of year that students can get behind the university and be proud to show they’re #TeamUWE.
The passion shown by the competitors every year is phenomenal but the support from spectators is what really helps drive them. UWE are currently in preparations and working hard to ensure we bring the trophy back after 2 years away.”
Kemp Price – Rugby Men’s 1st
It’s a great opportunity for both individuals and the team to perform on such a large scale; it is the pinnacle of some our rugby careers. On the other hand, it’s also a great way to really impress the girl in lectures who you’ve always been too shy to strike up a conversation with!
There’s even more reason to get involved with this year’s rugby matches as both the men’s and women’s first tems are playing at the home of Bristol Rugby, Ashton Gate Stadium. With spectators tickets available for students, staff and the community, the atmosphere’s going to be electric so make sure you get yourself a ticket.
“The passion shown by the competitors every year is phenomenal but the support from spectators is what really helps drive them.”
Serena Smith – VP Sports & Health
Alex Dehaan – Basketball Men’s 1st
Varsity is always the event we look forward to at the end of every year. The game is different from the regular season as there’s so much passion, fight and pride on the line! We usually have a big crowd at South Gloucestershire & Stroud College; the atmosphere is incredible.
We’ve had a successful debut season in the BUCS South Premier and so we’re looking to take that momentum into the Varsity game against UoB. We’ve been very successful in past years and we’re going into the game with a lot of confidence so it should be another great game.
Varsity is the time of year that students can get behind their university and be proud to show they’re #TeamUWE.
Serena Smith – VP Sports & Health
Ollie Smith – Football Men’s 1st
It’s the biggest game of the year and we want revenge. We are here to claim Bristol as our own. When we’ve worked this hard to get to where we are, both on and off the pitch it makes the thought of beating the ‘trust fund’ even sweeter.
A word from our rival, John House (University of Bristol – VP Sport and Health).
“To me, Varsity epitomises everything that is so brilliant about sport at University. Whilst the headline of the series urges our competitors to ‘embrace the rivalry’, Varsity is about so much more. Varsity is a celebration of sport in Bristol, a chance for our athletes and sporting stars to show the city what they are made of.
The main reason why I love Varsity so much is the rare opportunity it provides for students to unite as one and feel proud. Varsity allows any student to get involved and feel like part of the University of Bristol community. It doesn’t matter what subject you study, what society you are a part of, your background, political stance, whether you shower in the morning or the evening, it just matters that you go to Bristol University. In a time when so many things (or leaders of the ‘Free world’) seek to divide us, isn’t that wonderful?
Last year, Basketball at SGS provided an unbelievable atmosphere and was a stand out event; it promises to be even better this year! I don’t think there are many better sights than students lining the harbour side and cheering on two great boat clubs as they power past! I’ll be playing Volleyball again this year as well, here’s to another win!”
There you have it, Varsity Series 2017 is set to be fantastic. Do we need to give you another reason to get involved? Just head to VarsitySeries.com to find out the full schedule and get your tickets today.
