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Welsh Varsity kicks off

19 April 2013

Varsity-logo Wales’ biggest student sporting competition kicks off this weekend when Cardiff and Swansea universities take to the water for the Welsh Boat Race.

On Saturday 20 April 2013 rowers representing both universities will race each other in four categories (men and women’s novice eights; men and women’s senior eights) on the River Taff in Cardiff.

Starting at 12.15pm, crews will race over a distance of 1800 metres from the University stone, opposite Brains Brewery, to the finishing post at the Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre. There will be a race each hour (the last at 15.15pm) and medals will be presented by the Mayor of Cardiff at 16.00pm. The event is free for spectators and the best viewing spot to cheer on the crews will be at Channel View Leisure Centre, Grangetown (CF11 7HB).

The Boat Race will be followed by a day of sporting activity on Wednesday 24^th April when more than 200 students from the two universities will compete in events including fencing, rugby, badminton and American football in a bid to secure the Varsity Shield and the Varsity Rugby Cup.

Cari Davies, Athletic Union President at Cardiff University’s Students’ Union said: "The Welsh Varsity has become a greatly anticipated event, a real highlight in the student calendar for athletes and supporters alike. It is the single day of the year where Cardiff students come together as one; representing Team Cardiff in the epic sporting battle with Swansea. Faces will be painted, banners will be waved and chants will ring out as our teams fight to be Varsity champions. It's a day like no other and being a part of it - previously as an athlete and now as a spectator - is something I will always treasure."

Competitions for the Varsity Shield will take place across Cardiff and the Shield will be awarded to the University with the most points across all sports. The final event of the day on 24^th April will be the fight for the Varsity Rugby Cup. Held on the neutral ground of Wales’ Millennium Stadium, the match kicks off at 7.30pm.

The game will be streamed live on the S4C website at 7.30pm with another chance to view on S4C at 11.00pm. Coverage of the Varsity day games and rugby will also be provided by Cardiff Students’ Union’s Xpress Radio.

Tickets to support both Cardiff and Swansea at the 2013 Millennium Stadium encounter cost £12.50 for students and £15 for non-students and are available now at www.welshvarsity.com or the Cardiff University Students’ Union box office.