{"id":72457,"date":"2023-01-31T15:02:12","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T15:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=72457"},"modified":"2023-02-07T13:24:45","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T13:24:45","slug":"much-missed-welsh-varsity-returns-to-capital-after-four-long-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/01\/31\/much-missed-welsh-varsity-returns-to-capital-after-four-long-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Much-missed Welsh Varsity returns to capital after four long years"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Swansea and Cardiff universities to renew their sporting rivalry for the first time since before lockdown<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

ONE of the biggest sporting rivalries in the UK returns in April as Cardiff and Swansea battle it in the Welsh Varsity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students will compete in more than 30 sports to hold the bragging rights for the next 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a varsity?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An abbreviation of the word university, a varsity is when two rival universities, such as Oxford v Cambridge, compete over one day across many sports. Students showcase their talent and entertain thousands who come and watch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Welsh Varsity between Cardiff and Swansea has been held since 1997, with the universities taking turns to hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the pandemic, this is the first time Cardiff has hosted Welsh Varsity since 2019, with Swansea set to arrive in the Welsh capital on Wednesday, April 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of the games<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the event began 25 years ago, the highlight has been the men’s rugby union match. International stars like Alun Wyn Jones, Richie Pugh and Dwayne Peel have all played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that time, Swansea have won 15 to Cardiff’s nine, with one draw. Cardiff had the most dominating victory when they beat Swansea 78-7 in the Principality Stadium four years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite Cardiff losing the men’s rugby game last year in the Swansea.com Stadium, Cardiff won the tournament overall 29-15, with Swansea looking for revenge this time round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Football, cricket, basketball, netball, hockey, fencing, and frisbee, are some of the other sports that the hundreds of students will compete in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does Welsh Varsity mean to the universities?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the sports officer for Swansea University, Jonathan Davies, Varsity means the world. “Going into each tournament as the underdog, we’re always out to prove people wrong,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We stay highly motivated due to our rivalry with Cardiff,” he told The Cardiffian<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s the biggest event in the calendar for the athletes and students who come and watch. The games transcend sport, with everyone getting involved and taking over the host city for a good night out.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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