Welsh Varsity 2015 is heading west
3 October 2014
Next year's Welsh Varsity is moving to the Swansea Liberty Stadium following four successful years at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The move will allow Swansea students to play on home turf for the first time since 2010.
Welsh Varsity is the biggest student sporting event in Wales, with students from Cardiff and Swansea universities competing against each other in a range of sports, culminating with men's rugby match
Bryn Griffiths, Vice President Sports and Athletic Union President at Cardiff University, is enthusiastic about the move: "Varsity 2015 will undoubtedly be the climax of the year for Team Cardiff and I'm sure our teams will be eager to lay down the gauntlet to Swansea on their turf after four successful years at home. With a new head of rugby in post our eyes will well and truly be on the Cup as well as continuing our dominance in the Varsity Shield! Be sure to make the trip west as the Liberty Stadium will be close to capacity and is sure to provide a monstrous atmosphere surpassing that of previous years."
The Liberty Stadium opened in 2005 to provide a home to Swansea City AFC and Ospreys Rugby while giving Swansea a facility to be proud of. Driven by the vision of City and County of Swansea Council, the Liberty Stadium was built along with the Morfa Retail Park just a few minutes from Swansea City Centre.
Charlotte Peters, Sports Officer at Swansea University, is looking forward to the tournament: "It's hugely exciting that the Welsh Varsity will be returning to Swansea for the first time in five years and the fact that our athletes finally get to play in front of a home crowd on home soil is fantastic!"
Paul Thorburn, the Welsh Varsity Chair, thinks the move is a positive decision that will enhance future events: "This falls in line with the board's decision to make the fixture an annual home and away event. The Welsh Varsity competition is one of the best occasions in the Welsh student calendar and the biggest student sporting event in Wales. Varsity's return to Swansea for the first time in five years is exciting news for the city and the students."
The Welsh Varsity tournament has seen huge growth over the last five years, attracting crowds of more than 20,000 students to cheer on their Universities. Swansea took home the cup for a second year in April 2014 when they beat Cardiff by 19 - 15. Cardiff will be looking to regain their winning title when they take on Swansea as the away team next year.
The 2015 Welsh Varsity Shield tournament will be bigger and better than ever before. Over 30 sports clubs will be competing for the coveted shield which has been held by Cardiff since the tournament began in 1996. Sports vary from netball and rugby to badminton and ultimate frisbee.