Varsity is one of the biggest events of the sporting calendar for uni students, it’s like the big finale. Varsity is an annual fixture and it has run for over 20 years. All the teams at Marjon play against our local rivals, Plymouth University, across a range of different sports. Marjon’s most successful teams in terms of Varsity wins are Women’s Football and Women’s Rugby.
Varsity has a proud record of fundraising for great causes. Last year the two Universities raised over £16,000. This year Marjon is supporting CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a leading force in the movement against male suicide and Plymouth University is supporting Plymouth Mind. Mental health in sport is an issue that people are starting to talk about and I think both these charities are very worthwhile, I’m glad we’re supporting such a good cause.
It all kicks off on Monday 25 March! There are 18 events happening this year, starting with Women’s and Men’s Hockey on Monday 25 March at 13:00 and 15:00 at Marjon.
I’ve been the Club Captain of Marjon Women’s hockey for two years. Varsity is a highlight of our year. We are working really hard as a team to prepare. We’ve had some standout results in our league this year, some very high scoring games winning 15-0 twice! Our prep is going really well and we and we’ve got some really strong Freshers coming into the Varsity team. It is a privilege to lead the University team and I can’t wait to get out there and play!
I’d recommend anyone that hasn’t had that Varsity experience to go to as many events as they can. We all come together as a university family to support one other and the atmosphere is always amazing. The support on the sidelines that we hear when we play helps so much. It pushes us on so please get down and support your Marjon teams!
Wednesday is the big day with fixtures for Men’s Football (teams 4,3 and 2), Flag Football, Lacrosse, Men’s Tennis, Netball and Men’s Basketball. The day ends with Women’s and Men’s 1 Football at Home Park, the home of Plymouth Argyle. Buses at 22:00 will take supporters back to campus or on to Pryzm.
On Thursday 28 March Women’s Waterpolo are in action at the Plymouth Life Centre and Saturday 30 March brings us Women’s Futsal and Mixed Volleyball. Varsity concludes on Monday 1 April with Women’s and Men’s Rugby at Plymouth Albion. If you’d like to go and support the Rugby teams then take the bus from Main Reception at 17:30 to the ground, returning to campus at 22:00.
Most teams have finished their BUCS seasons now. We’ve had some really amazing results this year, so far Men’s Football and Men’s Basketball have won their leagues and gained promotion. It was also great to see four teams – Women’s Football, Men’s Hockey, Men’s Rugby and Men’s Basketball – take home South West BUCS Conference Cups, it’s the most teams we’ve had at the finals for many years!
To all the teams competing, good luck! Let’s bring back the trophy.
