VARSITY
Overview:The Inaugural Welsh Varsity Match was played in 1997 in the Welsh Capital and home of Cardiff Rugby Football Club, Cardiff Arms Park. The game was played by the two Welsh Premier Universities; Cardiff and Swansea, the highly successful “Varsity” model was adopted with all proceeds from the event going to Oxfam.
The Welsh Varsity Match was in the early years held alternatively at Cardiff Arms Park and St Helens, the home of Swansea Rugby Club, in 2003 and until 2007 the game was held the neutral ground of the Brewery field in Bridgend.
For the large part of the Varsity Matches history Swansea have dominated the event winning to date 8 from 11 losing twice and drawing once. Swansea University have regularly enjoyed the ability to select very talented players, the like of Alun Wynn Jones, Ritchie Pugh, Dwayne Peel all current Welsh Internationals in their Varsity squads. 2007 saw Swansea field no less than 11 FIRA Internationals at varying ages.
Cardiff have enjoyed success in recent years with the introduction of a Head of Rugby Post at Cardiff University, the current Head of Rugby Martyn Fowler was involved in both Cardiff Victories. Talented rugby players have always attended Cardiff University but the introduction of the new post and subsequent rugby programme ensures the Cardiff students have every development opportunity available to them in preparation for Varsity and their BUSA Premier A league competition.
The Welsh Varsity has developed into a showpiece event for talented young rugby playing students who use the occasion to represent their respective Universities and showcase their talents to the many interested parties in attendance. Many Cardiff and Swansea University students have gone on to represent and gain contracts with many semi professional and professional clubs on the back of great performances in the Welsh Varsity Match.
IN 2007 Both Universities agreed to award Caps for all students who take the field and play in Varsity. This has added an extra edge to what has already proved to be the most competitive game of the year for both squads.
In 2006 £7500 was raised for the Varsity's beneficiaries the Welsh Charitable Trust helping Welsh players who have been injured and consequently disabled playing rugby. The trust attempts to provide assistance to such players and help their families with the challenges that they face following such accidents. Over the past five years the Welsh Varsity has donated in excess of £25,000 to this charity
The Welsh Varsity Match is the culmination of a day of sporting activity where up to and over a 1000 students from the two Universities compete for the Varsity Trophy. The Trophy competition was established in 2002 and to date Cardiff have won the trophy every year since its inception.
Photo of Cap Presentation
History
Year:Venue: Result:Win:1987Cardiff Arms Park 23 - 11Swansea.
1988St Helens 49 - 13 Swansea.
1999Cardiff Arms Park 7 - 13 Swansea.
2000St Helens 28 - 18 Swansea.
2001Cardiff Arms Park 10 - 10 Drawn Game.
2002St Helens 21 - 3 Swansea.
2003Brewery Field 18 - 12 Cardiff.
2004Brewery Field 25 - 11 Swansea.
2005Brewery Field 16 - 8 Swansea.
2006Brewery Field 15 - 5 Cardiff.
2007Cardiff Arms Park 18 - 0 Swansea.
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Cap Presentation
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