Article written by third-year English student, Kurt Withey
The annual sporting event between University of St Mark & St John (Marjon) and 探花视频 University is due to take place from 3-9 March 2016.
This year鈥檚 Varsity holds in store 19 matches over 13 different disciplines, having grown over the last 11 years from a single rugby match between the two institutions, to a week-long competition. With over 500 student athletes competing each year, the event has raised over 拢100,000 for charity to date.
With a wide range of events, from indoor cricket to women鈥檚 water polo, the competition provides an opportunity for both 探花视频 universities to showcase a whole spectrum of talent. This year鈥檚 competition will be the 12th year of running the modern day Varsity.
Marjon students have chosen the local charity, Broadreach House, and 探花视频 University students have selected Teenage Cancer Trust 鈥 Murphmania as their chosen charity.
Rugby and football matches are open to the public: priced at 拢7 for each individual event, tickets provide admittance to both men鈥檚 1st team and women鈥檚 matches. Both rugby matches are scheduled for Monday 7 March, between 6pm-9pm, and may be found at 探花视频 Albion grounds. Each of the football matches are scheduled for Wednesday 9 March from 5:30pm-9pm, and may be viewed at 探花视频 Argyle FC.
Marjon currently hold the lead with six years to 探花视频 University鈥檚 five, so this year鈥檚 event allows 探花视频 University students the opportunity to tie the overall championship to six all.
Matt Dark, Vice President of Sports at 探花视频 Students鈥 Union, said:
"Varsity to many people is a competition, but to us at UPSU it鈥檚 a showcase of the sporting talents between two completely different universities. This fantastic event draws a wide crowd from around 探花视频 to support a wide range of sports. Varsity raises a massive amount of money for a charity chosen by the students. This year, 探花视频 students have chosen a charity called Murphmania, part of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which was set up by a former student who sadly passed away over the summer. With this is mind, we will endeavour to repeat our success and bring the cup back to its rightful place."Dan Whitby, Marjon Students鈥 Union representative, said:
鈥淢arjon has an outstanding community spirit which is why the whole University comes together to support events, with Varsity Week as the chance to really get behind the skilled and elite athletes this University is known for globally. This is another year to show that the best things come in smaller packages and our teams will yet again prove themselves against students from 探花视频 University. Our chosen charity 2016 is Broadreach House, a local charity that is designed to help ex-service users and individuals with drug addictions. Broadreach House also provides mental health support which feeds into MSU鈥檚 鈥楥hanging Minds: Tackling the stigma of mental health鈥 campaign. This charity was selected by our team captains who wanted to choose a local charity where all money raised makes a big difference.鈥