RIVALRY between Canterbury Christ Church and Kent University is getting serious. The sports teams have been taking all aspects of training and preparation even more seriously in the build-up to this year’s Varsity, as the two universities look to this annual opportunity to settle their differences.
To students of both universities the competition is so much more than a sporting event; the pride and reputation of the university is at stake. The University of Kent, being the larger institution has had a greater record in the competition over its 14-year history and for students of Christ Church, being the perennial underdog makes the atmosphere and build-up all the greater.
Christ Church netball president Becca Steel says: “It is very important as the atmosphere it creates is extraordinary and it brings everybody together to support one another. It’s really special.”
The two universities have been competing in the games for over a decade, since the games were established in 1997. They started as a simple rugby tournament until 2003 more sports were added in 2003. Now the games consist of 33 matches with 28 teams taking part this year. UKC have won Varsity every year to date, but Christ Church recorded its finest performance last year, with the final scores a nail-biting 17-15. The scoring system is straightforward with 33 games being worth a point each, with the most games won on aggregate winning the highly prestigious title.
Despite never winning the title itself, Christ Church celebrated a historic win in last year’s Varsity, winning the rugby event for the first time. For rugby captain Phil Mooney retaining that title is vital. “Varsity is so much more than just a game. It is for me the ultimate test of character and as such it means more than any other game you play all year. Words cannot describe how I felt when the final whistle blew and I realised we had won.
“It was the most amazing rush of pure emotion and pride, intense pride for a group of men who were not only a team but also my friends.”
For students it is memories like this that make Varsity so unique, and for freshers competing for the first time, making an instant impact is uppermost on their minds.
Maxwell, a 19-year-old prop for the rugby team, adds: “I hear a lot about last year’s game and that makes me even more excited to take part for the first time.
“People like Phil Mooney, who is like a legend now for captaining the team last year, just show how important it is as you want to be a hero and you want to make the history books, both for a personal goal and for the reputation of the university.”
First-year netball player Lianne Carpenter agrees. “To be part of the winning team would be such a great achievement,” she says. “It would be a real boost and give us a bit more prestige among the other teams and the union in general.”
With a record 28 teams competing this year, it promises to be one for the history books. But there is disappointment among some sports societies because they have not been granted a Varsity place. Boxing, for example, has been omitted, as it has not been an established society for longer than a year.
Boxer Oli Wherrett says: “I’m really frustrated as personally I would have loved to play a part in Varsity and represent the university. It’s a shame that a lack of organisation has prevented us, but I’ll still be at the games supporting the football lads and hopefully next year we can get that chance.”
As well serious competition, it is important that the games continue to be played in the same healthy spirit and sportsmanship associated with the tournament. Former Millwall FC academy player David Buckley says: “I can’t wait for the banter. It’s been talked about for a long time and everyone I have spoken to in the football team and the other sports are buzzing for next week to begin.”
Canterbury Christ church Sports vice president Steph White believes the university has its most realistic chance of winning this year. “Training has stepped up a gear and I personally am so excited for Varsity 2011 because of how close we came to victory last year,” she says. “Teams are so dedicated to the cause and the buzz on campus when Saturday hits will be huge. Teams have the belief that they can win and rightly so. We didn’t lose one match on our home ground last year and that is our key to winning overall this time.
“I love Varsity because it brings teams together,” she adds. “Rugby and football may have competed for status against each other all year round, but Varsity brings out that true Christ Church spirit. The support that comes from all teams to their fellow sports men and women from the biggest teams to the smallest is second to none. 2011 is our year - it is coming home!”
The campuses of both the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church will be animated come Saturday when the eagerly anticipated event finally kicks off. Whatever the outcome it will be a week to remember for participants and supporters alike.
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