Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
City universities to battle for Leeds Varsity sporting honours
The annual sporting competition, celebrating its eleventh year, will take place on Wednesday 7 October, where over 1,400 students from both universities will compete in over 50 fixtures across one spectacular day of competition.
Leeds Varsity covers a host of different sports including squash, athletics, biathlon, water polo and indoor cricket, ensuring it is one of the most inclusive and diverse one-day Varsity event across the country.
The intense and highly contested day of competition will culminate in a head-to-head battle of the two institutions’ talented rugby union teams at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, where last year a record crowd of nearly 13,000 saw Leeds Beckett triumph 46-30 in a thrilling contest.
This year Leeds Varsity will be raising funds for Marie Curie and Newlife. Players from both Universities will also be wearing rainbow laces in support of Stonewall’s campaign to kick out homophobia, biphobia and transphobia from sport.
Speaking ahead of Leeds Varsity 2015, Sir Bob Murray CBE, Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University said: “Once again, I am very much looking forward to attending Leeds Varsity and celebrating the commitment, drive and determination of all of the student athletes involved. To see students so passionate about their sport, their university and their city is extremely pleasing and it’s a real pleasure to be part of such dynamic and competitive event. Good luck to all those taking part and I very much hope that Leeds Beckett will be able to retain the Varsity honours for the eleventh successive year.”
Josephine Mannion, Varsity Event Manager at Leeds Beckett, said: “Varsity 2015 promises to be bigger and better than ever! Last year the score line (Leeds Beckett 31- Leeds Uni 25) was extremely close with the two universities neck and neck for most of the day. This year we only finished 3 places ahead of Leeds Uni in the BUCS leagues so every game will be vital if we are to retain our title for an 11th successive year.
“There be lots of sporting action happening throughout the day on campus and at Leeds Uni so we are encouraging staff and students to come down and cheer on every team to victory. Tickets for the evening game at Headingley Stadium are selling fast and we anticipate a bumper crowd of over 14,000 to attend this year, so get your tickets early because it could be sell out!”
Speaking about the rugby union finale, Leeds Beckett University’s rugby union captain and MA Physical Education student, Josh Longson, said: “To be leading out the Leeds Beckett team for this match is a huge honour, I’ve been captain in other big events but nothing compares to Varsity. The atmosphere is something a lot of rugby players (both professional and non-professional) will never get to experience in their rugby careers and I’m very happy to have been given the chance to captain the team to our third successive victory.’’
A full list of day fixtures can be found on the Leeds Varsity website. http://www.leedsvarsity.com
To keep abreast of all the latest Varsity news follow @leedsvarsity15 on Twitter and use the #leedsvarsity #beckettvarsity and #leedsunivarsity hashtags.