The University of Warwick is boasting 26 years undefeated in the hotly contested inter-university games between two of Warwickshire’s most well known Higher Education institutions.

2017 Coventry Varsity games: 1 City, 9 Days, 34 Fixtures, 1000's of spectators, 1 Winner. Sports Clubs from the University of Warwick and Coventry University are set to go head to head in the 2017 Varsity games, 16 - 26 February.

Every year in the Spring the University of Warwick and the nearby Coventry University compete against one another in a range of over 20 different sports including football, rugby, tennis, athletics, netball, swimming, ice hockey and even snooker. Newly added for 2017 is Taekwondo, with both Coventry and Warwick having strong teams.

For every match won, points are awarded, and the university with the most points overall takes home the Varsity crown. Since its inception in 1990 games have become increasingly competitive but so far the University of Warwick has always brought the glory home.

The Varsity games is now in its 27th year and University Sports Clubs are performing at their highest standards. Training schedules are increasingly demanding, with some students training over 8 hours per week on top of University commitments and social life. It’s all part of the University experience.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Director of Sport & Active Communities at the University of Warwick said,

“The Finale Events give students a unique experience to play in front of crowds of thousands of people from both university’s, an opportunity which is the pinnacle of many of our students university sporting careers. Varsity provides a unique experience for our students, both for those who compete, and those who spectate. It provides an opportunity for them to come together as one team, with the excitement spreading across campus as the event nears. I’d like to wish everyone competing in Varsity the best of luck. Go out there, do your best, and compete with the pride of the University behind you.”

The Ice Hockey will open the event and Rugby provides the closing, with tickets available including entry to Planet Ice and Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

All other events taking place across both universities are entirely free for spectators to come and enjoy. There’s a real buzz in both universities during Varsity and students who don’t identify as athletes still get involved, supporting friends and supporting their favorite teams.

This year’s Varsity finale will see university rugby teams take center stage at the Ricoh Arena, directly after the Aviva Premiership game between Wasps and Gloucester Rugby teams.

Ted Crowson, Sports Officer, Warwick Student Union said,

“We are fortunate to have so many people at the University who - besides completing a full time degree, teaching or working - devote themselves to competing and supporting the wide-range of sports who epitomize the character and success of The University of Warwick each time they put on the red and black colours, not only each week, but for the special occasion of Varsity. Varsity is our biggest sporting event of the year and for far more than just the sports clubs and students, it’s an experience we want you all to share with us! Be the person who scores that goal, attends the most fixtures and cheers the loudest when we win - be the difference! This is as an opportunity for the community to come together and be part of something special, don’t be the one to miss out.”

Tickets, information about 2017 fixtures and results from past competitions can be found here:

http://varsity.warwicksu.com/

Notes to Editors

For interviews with Sports Clubs and more information on Warwick Varsity please contact: Selina Welter, Marketing Executive, Warwick Sport on 07876 876 962 or s.welter.1@warwick.ac.uk

For information about The University of Warwick and Warwick Sport, please contact: Alex Buxton, Media Relations Manager, University of Warwick, UK Office: 024 76 150423, UK Mob: 07876 218166, a.buxton.1@warwick.ac.uk.

Contact:

Alex Buxton: Media Relations Manager, University of Warwick

Tel: 02476 150423
Mob: 07876 218166
E: a.buxton.1@warwick.ac.uk