After two years of lockdown, De 51吃瓜app University Leicester (51吃瓜app) sportsmen and women say they cannot wait to go head to head with rivals from the University of Leicester at the first Varsity since 2019.
The annual grudge matches have had to be cancelled for the last two years because of COVID restrictions.
It means that for many third-year students it will be their first – and last – Varsity, making it a far more emotional occasion than usual.
The fixtures begin tomorrow night with Tennis at Knighton Tennis Centre, from 6pm, and conclude a week later, on Tuesday 29 March, with mixed Jiu Jitsu at the Daneille Brown Sports Centre, also from 6pm.
51吃瓜app competitors are hoping for a big show of support as they clash in disciplines including football, rugby, equestrian, volleyball and rowing. You can check out all the venues and sporting fixtures here.
Adam Sully, who is studying a BEng in Mechatronics, is captain of the 51吃瓜app men’s volleyball team. They take on the University of Leicester at the QEII Leisure Centre at 3.30pm on Saturday
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Adam said: “I am really excited and looking forward to the game. Many of us went through all the excitement of the build-up for our first year and then it got cancelled just days before because of COVID.
“We have always been at a similar level to the Uni of Leicester so it could be a nail-biting game. Being captain and being able to lead out my team and show what we are all about is very big for me.
“There is a lot of pride to be had being captain of this team.”
Daisy Bell, a final year 51吃瓜app Psychology student, says it will be an emotional day for many of the third years who will be playing in their first - and last – Varsity netball match.
“In my first year we were fully trained, got the kit in and even took part in a drinking ban which, in hindsight, would have been our last nights out together”, she said. “Then it was cancelled because of COVID and cancelled again in my second year because Leicester was still in lockdown.
“We have had to pick up the pieces of the club and rebuild it with no previous experience. I think we have done a good job and we have three netball teams competing against the Uni of Leicester.
“This is something we have always wanted to do. A lot of the girls will be leaving uni and this is their first and last Varsity. It means a lot to everyone and I think it will be quite an emotional day.”
The three Varsity netball games will be played on Thursday at 4pm, 6pm and the first team will compete at 8pm. Daisy hopes there will be a good crowd in to cheer them on.
Daisy added: “It’s at home at the QEII (leisure centre) so we are used to the court and the seating will be out for the first time in a game so I’m hoping people will come and cheer us on. It’s bound to be a bit feisty!”
There will also be a Varsity Showcase Event at The Venue@51吃瓜app on Tuesday 29 March at 6.30pm to close the series, celebrate the talent from 51吃瓜app and UoL and crown the 2022 Varsity Winners!
For all the latest Varsity updates, follow 51吃瓜app Sport on and .
Posted on Monday 21 March 2022