Sheffield Varsity 2008 March 1, 2008

Sheffield Varsity
This year marks the 12th Sheffield Varsity Challenge, the annual sporting competition between Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield University.

Over 12 days, Sheffield Varsity will see over 70 fixtures competed in 30 sports at venues across the city. In total over 1000 students will compete with the aim of winning the trophy for their University.

The annual Varsity Challenge is one of the biggest events of the Sheffield sporting calendar. With last year Hallam finishing one place ahead of their Sheffield rivals in the BUSA leagues, but with Sheffield with the better record in head-to-head fixtures this season, it promises to be an eventful, exciting, and mouth-watering encounter between these two great Sheffield rivals.
Winter Varsity
This years competition will be held on Saturday 23rd February. Competition starts with the Ice Hockey at Ice Sheffield. Face-off is at 1:45pm with free entry.

The action then moves up to Ski Village for the Snowsports events. Sheffield’s best Ski & Snowboard riders will compete in Dual Slalom, and in Freestyle Big Air and Slope Style categories.

There will be a party atmosphere at Ski Village with a BBQ and Live DJ’s, including acts from The Tuesday Club, followed by the presentation of the Winter Varsity Trophy.
Varsity 2008
Varsity begins on 2nd March kicking-off eleven days of competition. There will be over 1000 competitors in 70 fixtures across the city culminating in the finals day and Trophy presentations at Abbeydale sports grounds on 12th March. From the opening Rugby League fixture, through to the finals day at Abbeydale, rivalry will be fierce, with both Universities wanting to lift the coveted Varsity Trophy.

The first event will be the Rugby League final held at Don Valley Stadium on Sunday 2nd March. The Varsity match will be followed by Sheffield Eagles game against Doncaster. The Varsity match starts at 1pm, and tickets are £4 advance.

This year will see Boxing become a Varsity sport for the first time. Battle will take place on the evening of Monday 3rd March in the Octagon Centre, in front of up to 800 spectators. Tickets cost £3 and are available for Sheffield Students' Union Box Office and Hallam Union Shop.

This years showcase football final will be taking place at the Bright Finance Stadium, home of Sheffield FC – the world’s oldest Football Club. The Mens first squad will be playing on Wednesday 5th March, transport and entry costs £3.

Wednesday 12th March will see competition culminate in a festival of sport at Abbeydale Sports Grounds. With 16 fixtures across seven sports all taking place in one location, the finals day will see the Trophy won or lost by either University. Fixtures will be taking place from 12pm, with the highlight being the final fixture, Mens Rugby Union, kicking-off at 4:30pm. Transport will be provided from both Students Unions, and the whole day will have a carnival atmosphere.

Official Website: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/union/varsity/