Varsity sport festival launched

The University of Wolverhampton, University College Birmingham, and Birmingham Newman University are excited to announce the launch of a new Varsity Sport Festival in 2024.

Date: Wednesday 20 March

Location: University of Wolverhampton, Sport Centre, Walsall Campus

The universities have united under a common vision to establish a competitive and social sport varsity, with the primary goal to enhance the visibility of sport and physical activity, increase student engagement, and sense of belonging.

The event will offer competitive fixtures in a range of sports including Women’s Netball and Men’s Basketball but will also include opportunities for students to participate in other sports such as Dodgeball and Rounders. In the latter sports we aim for our students to join together to form new teams and compete in a new sport, with the main objective for the students to have fun.

Natalie Gould, Sport and Physical Activity Manager at the University of Wolverhamtpon, said: “The introduction of Varsity will allow us to establish a relationship with University College Birmingham and Birmingham Newman University to offer our students further opportunities to be active whilst studying at university. This event will allow us to build on the strength in our sports clubs and student community, bringing the students from three institutions together to celebrate being active and meet new people in the local area.”

During the event we will also be support be supporting The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) who exist to support and improve the mental health, fitness, and wellbeing, of young adults, students, and staff, throughout the UK. The charity aims to improve and support student and staff wellbeing, inspire volunteering and fundraising, destigmatise mental health, and champion equality, diversity, and inclusion. We have integrated the messages proposed by the BRIT challenge into our Varsity Sport Festival and at the event we will provide information on wellbeing support for the students to access and staff aim to speak with 24 students each throughout the day, in relation to their mental and physical health to create a safe space.

We are also working closely with Wolves Students' Union, Newman Student Union, and University College Birmingham Guild of students, to offer a holistic approach to student engagement. The three institutions will be present on the day supporting the students and will also be taking part in a friendly sporting competition which you won’t want to miss.

We encourage students and staff to come along and show your support! Varsity has its own brand of unique tension, excitement, and atmosphere. It's where sporting rivals battle it out in the ultimate showdown.

To keep up with the latest news and activity on the event please visit the website and follow WLV Sport on social media.

Anyone interested in studying for courses in the School of Sport at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.