Leeds Beckett University students show Leeds Varsity pride

For the second consecutive year, the University of Leeds were crowned overall Leeds Varsity winners, after taking out a 69 – 49 victory across the 60 plus fixtures students competed in throughout the Varsity period.

The overall loss failed to dampen the spirits of competitors and spectators from Leeds Beckett University. The event was attended by thousands of students from across the university throughout the week, who were there to show their pride and support of their Athletic Union members.

The Netball opener was attended by a near capacity crowd at Leeds Beckett’s Sports Arena, while the Rugby Finale at Headingley Stadium was attended by 7500 students from both universities.

Leeds Beckett Netball were narrowly beaten 58-55 in their fixture, while the men’s and women’s rugby union teams were victorious at the stadium, with the men winning 36-14 and the women claiming a 31-5 win.

The 2023 event witnessed some incredible milestones by Leeds Beckett’s Athletic Union clubs.

This year’s Varsity debuted an outdoor rowing competition, which was won by Leeds Beckett. The men’s swimming first team won their first Varsity event in a decade, while the tennis club’s male and female teams won every match available, a record they’ve kept for the previous 10 years.

Jo Mannion, Student Sport Manager and co-lead of Leeds Varsity from Leeds Beckett University, said:

“Congratulations to the University of Leeds on retaining the Leeds Varsity trophy and for playing their part in another incredible event,

“Varsity is a fantastic occasion that showcases the power of university sport within Leeds and really brings students together through the friendly rivalry between the two universities,

“It’s been great to see our Athletic Union clubs come together and support each other throughout the week, as well as our wider university community supporting our teams at Headingley Campus during the Varsity Festival as well as the Rugby Finale at Headingley Stadium.”

As well as supporting the action on the pitch, students from both universities were on hand to support off the field activities to make Leeds Varsity the best event it could be.

Students were on hand to help keep the community clean, by taking part in litter parks in the surrounding areas of Headingley Stadium to ensure the event was well-managed and the neighbourhood kept safe.

Participants, and spectators, signed up to a community pledge prior to the event and were supportive of the initiative throughout the competition to limit its impact, in particular the Rugby Finale, on the local community.

Sports Journalism students were on hand to deliver a live visual experience as part of their studies. Students delivered a Sky Sports Soccer Saturday style presentation throughout the Varsity Festival, with students scattered across the university’s campus covering a breadth of sports before delivering a live production of the Rugby Finale at Headingley Stadium.

Leeds Varsity will officially end on Saturday 5 May for the Leeds Varsity Community Open Day, which is set to welcome local families to take part in sports and fitness activities. The sessions will be delivered by student sports coaches from Leeds Beckett University’s Leadership Academy.

Congratulations to all Leeds Beckett University students who competed in Leeds Varsity 2023.

Interested in getting involved in sport?

Inspired to get involved with one of our 40 sports clubs by Leeds Varsity? Find a sport you can join from September 2023 on our dedicated sports A-Z webpage.