University of Sheffield Varsity Champions 2018

University of Sheffield have claimed the Varsity trophy for the sixth consecutive year! The final score of this year's competition was 45–34, with University being in the lead most of the way. Thank you to all athletes that have competed in Varsity this year, the spectators that have attended this year's events to cheer on their institution, and also to the staff and volunteers that made the event possible.

Sheffield Varsity is the biggest university sporting event in Sheffield with over 15,000 spectators across 70 fixtures in over 30 sports! This year has seen the first ever female Varsity boxing match, won by Alex Fraser from University of Sheffield #ThisGirlCan.

We have also seen the first wheelchair basketball fixture won by Sheffield Hallam University #SportForAll and University of Sheffield won their first ever point for an ice hockey fixture when they won the ice hockey twos game.

The Varsity Oath of pride, respect, fair play and sportsmanship is extremely important to Sheffield Varsity. This year we set sports teams the challenge to work together to create a photo to demonstrate how they represent the Varsity Oath at their fixture for a chance to win a £1,000. Spectators can get involved by voting for the winner from 27 April until the 2 May.

Varsity wants to ensure that sport is a welcome place for everyone. For those participating in sport, those attending sporting events, and for those working or volunteering in sports at any level. As part of this, this year athletes wore rainbow laces in support of LGBT+ athletes.

Every year we use Varsity as a platform to raise money for a chosen charity, and aim to spread its awareness across Sheffield. This year, we have worked alongside Sheffield Hallam University to support the Danny Porter Foundation. Dan Porter MBE was an inspirational individual, who championed sport at Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield and across the country. You can read more about the amazing work the charity does here. We have raised a total of £1,500 so far.

Flo Brookes, University of Sheffield Sports Officer said, "Varsity is the best part of the Sheffield student calendar. It is a time to celebrate not only the incredible sport and hard work from our athletes, but a chance for the city to come together as one community.

"Varsity shows us the true power of sport. It is a celebration that brings pride and a feeling of belonging to your University. No matter whether you are a competitor, spectator, staff or volunteer, Varsity is for everyone.

"Thank you to all the competitors and spectators. For every athlete that gets up for training in the mornings, every spectator that queues for tickets, this is your Varsity and your city! Wear black and gold with pride, respect your competitors and have fun celebrating what it means to be a student in Sheffield!"

Josh Nimmons, Sheffield Hallam University Sports Officer said, "The Sheffield Varsity has grown to be one of the biggest student sport events in the country and seeing so many students come together to showcase their sport, cheer for their friends, or experience something new just shows the power that sport has to bring communities together, especially here in Sheffield.

"Delivering Varsity every year is no easy task and it is only possible thanks to the hard work and determination from both university's sports departments, Student Unions and officers whose year-round effort help to bring you the very best competition. Without their dedication, Varsity wouldn't happen. Athlete or spectator, we are two universities, one city and we respect the competition #RespectVarsity."

Photo credit: Dan West, Forge