Wikipedia

List of British and Irish varsity matches

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

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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

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Regional rivalries

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East

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London

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Midlands

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North East

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North West

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South East

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South West

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Yorkshire and the Humber

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Varsity in Ireland

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Varsity in Scotland

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Varsity in Wales

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Varsity". Oxford Living Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  2. ^ "World's oldest varsity match returns to Scotland". The Herald (Glasgow). 19 May 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  3. ^ "OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE PLAY THEIR FIRST CRICKET MATCH: 4 JUNE 1827". The History Channel. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  4. ^ "The Boat Race Basics". The Boat Race Company Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  5. ^ "About – The Varsity Match". The Varsity Match. Archived from the original on 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  6. ^ "BBC One – The Boat Race". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  7. ^ "varsity match returns TO TRADITIONAL HOME ON THE BBC". Oxford University Rugby Football Club. 16 July 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  8. ^ Richard Garner (12 June 2008). "Why Bath vs Loughborough is the real varsity match". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  9. ^ Matt Roberts (25 November 2015). "Durham's #BUCSWednesday breakdown". BUCS. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2018. 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.
  10. ^ Simon Carey (21 November 2015). "Clash of the Titans – Durham vs Loughborough Varsity Preview". Palatinate. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  11. ^ Helen Johnson (18 May 2018). "Wars of the roses: How the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire still exists today". The Yorkshire Post. Johnston Publishing Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018. 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.
  12. ^ a b "UEL Sports Challenge Cup". UEL Students' Union. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
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  32. ^ Billy Draper-Barr; Georgina Hagger (10 February 2022). "The City Varsity: ICL vs LSE". Felix. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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  37. ^ "VarsityFest". Imperial College London. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
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  39. ^ "Allom Cup". University of London Boat Club. Archived from the original on 15 July 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
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  51. ^ "Mitts Varsity". Nottingham Trent? University Students' Union. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  52. ^ "EDGE HILL GEARS UP FOR VARSITY 2018". Edge Hill Students' Union. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  53. ^ "Varsity's back - and this time it's personal!". Salford Students' Union. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  54. ^ Jack Mason (27 May 2016). "Varsity 2016: Chester's time to shine". Chester University. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  55. ^ "Varsity 2018: Everything you need to know". University of Liverpool. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
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  57. ^ "Varsity game heading for Willows". Manchester Evening News. 23 February 2009. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
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  66. ^ "Varsity Cup 2018". University of Portsmouth Students' Union. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
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  70. ^ "Marjon ladies triumph on first day of Varsity 2018". University of St Mark & St John. 23 February 2018. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
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  73. ^ "Hull in New Varsity with Lincoln - the Hullfire". Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  74. ^ "White Rose Varsity cancelled indefinitely". 8 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  75. ^ "Leeds Varsity". www.leedsvarsity.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  76. ^ Cox, Andy (24 February 2022). "City of Sheffield celebrates 25th anniversary of Varsity". The University of Sheffield. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  77. ^ "UCD wins three of four Irish Colours Boat Races and takes Gannon Cup for sixth year in a row". www.ucd.ie. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
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  82. ^ "Johnny Wookey". Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  83. ^ "Varsity 2022". Bath Students' Union. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
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