List of British and Irish varsity matches explained

A varsity match is a fixture (especially of a sporting event or team) between two university teams.[1] The Scottish Varsity rugby match between the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh at Murrayfield stadium is claimed to be the oldest recurring varsity match in the world, having been played since the 1860s.[2] It is predated by the University Match in Cricket between Oxford and Cambridge, which was first played in 1827.[3]

Varsity in England

The country's longest-running series of varsity matches is played between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. In addition to the 1827 University Match in Cricket mentioned above, the first "Boat Race" in 1829[4] the first "Varsity Match" (in Rugby Union) in 1872,[5] and the first "Varsity Game" (in Basketball) in 1921 were all contested between Oxford and Cambridge. Unusually for British university sporting events, both the Boat Race and Varsity Match are shown on broadcast television.[6] [7] Unlike many more recent varsity competitions, the Oxford–Cambridge matches stand alone rather than being part of a wider multi-sport varsity competition.

British newspaper The Independent proposed in 2008 that Bath vs Loughborough was "the real varsity match" on the basis that these were the top two teams (at that time) in British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) competitions.[8] Since 2015, British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), the successor to BUSA, has organised fixtures between Loughborough and Durham (two of the top universities since 2011-12) to occur on the same day, in what has been termed the "BUCS Varsity".[9] [10]

A number of city and regional sporting rivalries exist between universities, which are also dubbed varsity matches. The Roses Tournament between the universities of York and Lancaster is one of the oldest and largest of these, dating back to 1965. It is frequently referred to as the largest inter-university sports tournament in Europe.[11]

Interregional rivalries

Regional rivalries

East

London

Midlands

North East

North West

South East

South West

Yorkshire and the Humber

Varsity in Ireland

Varsity in Scotland

Varsity in Wales

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Varsity. 23 September 2018. Oxford Living Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033834/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/varsity. dead.
  2. News: World's oldest varsity match returns to Scotland. 19 May 2015. The Herald (Glasgow). 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033812/https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13214474.World_s_oldest_varsity_match_returns_to_Scotland/. live.
  3. Web site: OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE PLAY THEIR FIRST CRICKET MATCH: 4 JUNE 1827. The History Channel. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924035245/https://www.historychannel.com.au/this-day-in-history/oxford-and-cambridge-play-their-first-cricket-match/. live.
  4. Web site: The Boat Race Basics. The Boat Race Company Ltd. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033820/http://www.theboatrace.org/the-basics. live.
  5. Web site: About – The Varsity Match. The Varsity Match. 23 September 2018. 19 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190319050119/http://www.thevarsitymatch.com/about/. live.
  6. Web site: BBC One – The Boat Race. BBC. 23 September 2018. 1 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181101042734/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s4wb4. live.
  7. Web site: varsity match returns TO TRADITIONAL HOME ON THE BBC. 16 July 2015. 23 September 2018. Oxford University Rugby Football Club. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033452/http://ourfc.org/NewsItem.aspx?ID=2804. live.
  8. News: Why Bath vs Loughborough is the real varsity match. Richard Garner. 12 June 2008. The Independent. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070436/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/higher/why-bath-vs-loughborough-is-the-real-varsity-match-845128.html. live.
  9. Web site: Durham vs Loughborough on Wednesday 25th November is no ordinary day of University sport. It’s been christened a Varsity and it will have all the hallmarks of one – jam packed, competitive and hectic. However, in truth, it will be so much more than that.
    Durham and Loughborough have topped the BUCS Points table every year since 2011/12 and it’s for that reason that the day takes on such significance. It will be a celebration of top-level University sport, crucial in the outcome of this year’s Premiership divisions and a veritable feast of sport for enthusiastic spectators.. Durham's #BUCSWednesday breakdown. 25 November 2015. Matt Roberts. BUCS. 23 September 2018. 15 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225517/https://www.bucs.org.uk/news.asp?itemid=19181&itemTitle=Durham%27s+%23BUCSWednesday+breakdown&section=8&sectionTitle=News. live.
  10. News: Clash of the Titans – Durham vs Loughborough Varsity Preview. 21 November 2015. Simon Carey. Palatinate. 15 October 2021. 14 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170314045854/https://www.palatinate.org.uk/clash-of-the-titans-%e2%80%93-durham-vs-loughborough-varsity-preview/. live.
  11. News: Wars of the roses: How the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire still exists today. The Yorkshire Post. Johnston Publishing Ltd. 18 May 2018. Helen Johnson. The sporting rivalry between the two counties has even filtered through to University life, with an annual sporting competition called the ‘Roses Tournament’ existing between University of York and Lancaster University. This tournament began in 1965 and has been described numerous times as the largest inter-university sports tournament in Europe.. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924033449/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/wars-of-the-roses-how-the-rivalry-between-yorkshire-and-lancashire-still-exists-today-1-9170624. live.
  12. Web site: UEL Sports Challenge Cup. UEL Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070743/https://www.uelunion.org/ents/event/183/. live.
  13. Web site: Challenge Cup is back for 2022. 30 March 2022. University of East London. 23 November 2023.
  14. Web site: Varsity 2022. Bath Students' Union. 23 November 2023.
  15. Web site: Varsity: Bath Spa vs Winchester. 2015. Bath Spa Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145213/https://www.bathspasu.co.uk/events/6013/214/. live.
  16. Web site:
    1. BUCSwednesday Focus on Loughborough
    . 5 November 2014. 9 October 2015. BUCS. 15 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225518/https://www.bucs.org.uk/news.asp?itemid=16390&itemTitle=%23BUCSwednesday+Focus+on+Loughborough&section=8&sectionTitle=News. live.
  17. News: Palatinate. Want to get involved with sport? You're at the right University. 7 October 2015. Simon. Carey. 9 October 2015. 12 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151012234135/http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=62310. live.
  18. Web site: D-Day Durham Varsity. Loughborough University Sport. 23 November 2023. 18 October 2023.
  19. Web site: Durham Day ends in draw. 19 October 2018. Loughborough University Sport. 23 November 2023.
  20. Web site: Durham Varsity. 30 October 2016. Loughborough Sport. 30 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161030203809/http://loughboroughsport.com/ims/durham-varsity/. live.
  21. Web site: IMS Varsity v Durham. 26 February 2023. Loughborough University Sport. 23 November 2023.
  22. News: Palatinate. York College Varsity Announced. Maddy. Sears. 30 January 2014. 7 October 2015. 21 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150821113532/http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=44733. live.
  23. News: York Vision. New College Varsity. James. Pascoe. 29 October 2013. 8 October 2015. 6 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306010724/http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/sport/new-college-varsity/29/10/2013. live.
  24. News: Uni of York wins College Varsity competition against Durham University. Jess Rolfe. The Tab. 13 March 2023.
  25. Web site: Sport. 8 October 2015. James College, York. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050346/https://www.york.ac.uk/colleges/james/prospective/sport/. live.
  26. News: Palatinate. Collingwood host college from York University. Kate. Houghton. 24 November 2011. 8 October 2015. 15 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225522/https://www.palatinate.org.uk/collingwood-host-college-of-york-university/. live.
  27. News: Langwith succumb to Josephine-Butler. York Vision. Dave. Washington. 29 October 2013. 9 October 2015. 5 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305183754/http://www.yorkvision.co.uk/sport/langwith-succumb-to-josephine-butler/29/10/2013. live.
  28. Web site: Manchester Met students take on The Battle of the North. 21 April 2017. Manchester Metropolitan University. 24 September 2018. 15 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225520/https://www.mmu.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/story/?id=5499. live.
  29. Web site: Varsity Events. University of Sunderland. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070906/https://services.sunderland.ac.uk/universitysport/clubs--teams/varsity-events/. live.
  30. Web site: Derby Day. University of Essex Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070814/https://www.essexstudent.com/derbyday/. live.
  31. Web site: London Varsity Series. londonvarsityseries.org. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070808/https://www.londonvarsityseries.org/. live.
  32. News: The City Varsity: ICL vs LSE. Felix. 20 January 2023. 10 February 2022. Billy Draper-Barr . Georgina Hagger.
  33. Web site: West London Varsity. St Mary's University Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070634/https://www.stmaryssu.co.uk/varsity. live.
  34. Web site: Varsity. Kingston University Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070941/https://www.kingstonstudents.net/varsity. live.
  35. Web site: Varsity 2015. UELSports. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924071104/https://uelsportsblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/varsity-2015/. live.
  36. Web site: Varsity challenge: University of the Arts -v-Goldsmiths. Goldsmiths, University of London. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070921/https://www.gold.ac.uk/calendar/?id=1566. live.
  37. Web site: VarsityFest. Imperial College London. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070913/http://www.imperial.ac.uk/sport/club-sport/varsity/. live.
  38. Web site: Macadam Cup 2018. KCL Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070915/https://www.kclsu.org/macadamcup2018/. live.
  39. Web site: Allom Cup. University of London Boat Club. 23 September 2018. 15 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170715132741/https://ulbc.co.uk/allom-cup/. live.
  40. Web site: What is Merger Cup. QMUL Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105836/https://www.qmsu.org/mergercup/. live.
  41. Web site: 4 years undefeated in West London Varsity over UWL. University of Westminster Basketball. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924070701/http://www.westminster-basketball.com/2018/03/21/4-years-undefeated-in-varsity-over-uwl/. live.
  42. Web site: Varsity 2018. Birmingham City University Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145032/https://www.bcusu.com/varsity/2018/. live.
  43. News: Brum Rugby Varsity 2017: Results. The Tab. 17 January 2017. Kris Burnett. 24 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145223/https://thetab.com/uk/birmingham/2017/01/17/brum-rugby-varsity-2017-results-33110. live.
  44. Web site: Varsity Birmingham Medical School Rugby Birmingham Medics RFC Birmingham. Birmingham Medics. en. 2019-07-27. 27 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727110050/https://www.birminghammedicsrfc.com/varsity. live.
  45. News: Rowers claim varsity success. Redbrick. Doug Brown. 9 February 2012. 24 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105907/https://www.redbrick.me/rowers-claim-varsity-success/. live.
  46. Web site: Varsity History. University of Warwick Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 20 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180320074246/http://varsity.warwicksu.com/history. live.
  47. Web site: Varsity. University of Northampton Students' Union. 23 September 2018.
  48. Web site: Leicester leading Varsity. 13 March 2018. 23 September 2018. University of Leicester. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145120/https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2018/march/leicester-leading-varsity. live.
  49. Web site: Varsity. Keele Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110048/https://keelesu.com/activities/au/varsity/. live.
  50. Web site: Intramural Sports Leagues. University of Nottingham. 26 September 2018. 27 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180927050436/https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/intramural-sports-leagues/intramural-sports-leagues.aspx. live.
  51. Web site: Mitts Varsity. Nottingham Trent? University Students' Union. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924110146/https://www.trentstudents.org/varsity. live.
  52. Web site: EDGE HILL GEARS UP FOR VARSITY 2018. Edge Hill Students' Union. 18 April 2018. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105843/https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/articles/edge-hill-gears-up-for-varsity-2018. live.
  53. Web site: Varsity's back - and this time it's personal!. 23 September 2018. Salford Students' Union. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924105917/https://www.salfordstudents.com/varsity. live.
  54. Web site: Varsity 2016: Chester's time to shine. Chester University. Jack Mason. 27 May 2016. 23 September 2018. 24 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180924145125/https://www1.chester.ac.uk/news/varsity-2016-chesters-time-shine. live.
  55. Web site: Varsity 2018: Everything you need to know. 6 April 2018. University of Liverpool. 24 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104238/https://student-news.liverpool.ac.uk/2018/04/06/varsity-2018-everything-you-need-to-know/. live.
  56. News: Clash of the campus titans: Varsity for beginners. Rosie Collington. 4 October 2013. The Independent. 25 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925072201/https://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/clash-of-the-campus-titans-varsity-for-beginners-8859432.html. live.
  57. News: Varsity game heading for Willows. Manchester Evening News. 23 February 2009. 1 October 2009. 15 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211015225520/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/varsity-game-heading-for-willows-911335. live.
  58. Web site: Manchester wins Two Cities Boat Race - but only just!. University of Manchester. 15 May 2007. 24 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141931/https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/manchester-wins-two-cities-boat-race---but-only-just/. live.
  59. Web site: Varsity. Hertfordshire Sports Village. 24 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104351/https://www.hertssportsvillage.co.uk/varsity. live.
  60. Web site: Varsity 2018. Southampton Solent University. 25 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130654/https://portal.solent.ac.uk/events/events-articles/2018/may/varsity-2018.aspx. live.
  61. Web site: Sussex takes back Varsity trophy from Brighton. 4 April 2014. 24 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104356/http://www.sussex.ac.uk/internal/bulletin/staff/2013-14/04042014/varsity. live.
  62. Web site: Varsity 2018. Buckinghamshire New University. 24 September 2018.
  63. Web site: Canterbury Varsity. Christ Church Students Union and Kent Union. 24 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925142011/http://canterburyvarsity.com/. live.
  64. Web site: Varsity 2016. University of Surrey. 24 September 2018. 25 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141933/https://blogs.surrey.ac.uk/hongkong-blog/2016/03/14/varsity-2016/. live.
  65. Web site: Varsity 2018 - Meet the Captains. 19 March 2018. Oxford Brookes University. 25 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090149/https://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport/news/varsity-2018---meet-the-captains/. live.
  66. Web site: Varsity Cup 2018. University of Portsmouth Students' Union. 25 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130723/https://www.upsu.net/whats-on/event.php?event=2018-03-11-varsity-cup-2018-southampton-vs-portsmouth. live.
  67. News: RHUL are competing in Varsity for the first time ever. 4 October 2016. The Tab Royal Holloway. en-GB. 21 October 2016. 22 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161022090818/http://thetab.com/uk/rhul/2016/10/04/rhul-competing-varsity-first-time-ever-10753. live.
  68. News: Rugby Varsity 2018: No love lost as Exeter dump Bath in South West derby. Exeposé. Wil Jones. 26 February 2018. 26 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926132239/https://exepose.com/2018/02/26/live-rugby-varsity-2018/. live.
  69. Web site: Varsity: History. Varsity Series. 25 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926085930/http://www.varsityseries.com/varsity/history/. live.
  70. Web site: Marjon ladies triumph on first day of Varsity 2018. 23 February 2018. University of St Mark & St John. 25 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090040/https://www.marjon.ac.uk/about-marjon/news-and-events/marjon-news/marjon-ladies-triumph-on-first-day-of-varsity-2018.html. live.
  71. Web site: Varsity 2018. University of Worcester Students' Union. 25 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926090046/https://www.worcsu.com/sports_activities/varsity/varsity2018/. live.
  72. Web site: Hull in New Varsity with Lincoln - the Hullfire . 8 December 2013 . 13 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213055914/http://thehullfire.com/news/hull-in-new-varsity-with-lincoln . live .
  73. Web site: White Rose Varsity cancelled indefinitely. 8 August 2013. 19 March 2020. 19 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200319165915/https://www.yorkvision.co.uk/archive/white-rose-varsity-cancelled-indefinitely/08/08/2013. live.
  74. Web site: Leeds Varsity. www.leedsvarsity.com. 26 May 2013. 31 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150731093132/http://www.leedsvarsity.com/. live.
  75. Web site: City of Sheffield celebrates 25th anniversary of Varsity . Andy . Cox . 24 February 2022 . The University of Sheffield . 10 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220228144720/https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/city-region/news/city-sheffield-celebrates-25th-anniversary-varsity . 28 February 2022 . live .
  76. News: Nouse. Jake. Farrell. 21 January 2011. York St. John Sabbatical Officer voices disappointment over Varsity shake-up. 10 October 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052906/http://www.nouse.co.uk/2011/01/21/york-st-john-sabbatical-officer-voices-disappointment-over-varsity-shake-up/. live.
  77. Web site: UCD wins three of four Irish Colours Boat Races and takes Gannon Cup for sixth year in a row. www.ucd.ie. 26 May 2013. 27 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130327154343/http://www.ucd.ie/news/2013/03MAR13/190313-UCD-wins-three-of-four-Irish-Colours-Boat-Races-and-takes-Gannon-Cup-for-sixth-year-in-a-row.html. live.
  78. Web site: Aberdeen Uni and Robert Gordon Uni take on Aberdeen Boat Race | Sport | Aberdeen | STV . 26 May 2013 . 2 March 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130302063736/http://local.stv.tv/aberdeen/news/sport/215544-aberdeen-uni-and-robert-gordon-uni-take-on-aberdeen-boat-race/ . live .
  79. Web site: University of Dundee : External Relations : Press Office. app.dundee.ac.uk. 19 March 2020. 19 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200319165916/http://app.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2013/march13/varsity.htm. live.
  80. http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/13618-heriot-watt-takes-back-varsity-quaich-during-this-years-games/
  81. Web site: Edinburgh wins Varsity Match | News & Events | . 26 May 2013 . 8 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130808081553/http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/sports-union/news-events/varsity-win . live .
  82. Web site: Johnny Wookey . 9 September 2022 .
  83. Web site: Varsity 2022. Bath Students' Union. 23 November 2023.