15 March 2010

The Tay Varsity challenge 2010

Photo opportunity: 5pm on Wednesday, March 17th, at Riverside playing fields pavilion. The trophy will be presented to the winning university.

Sportsmen and women from the Universities of Dundee and Abertay will this week fight it out for this year’s Tay Games Varsity Challenge Trophy.

Around 300 students will compete in 10 different sports on Wednesday, March 17th. Teams from the two universities will contest matches in rugby, football, Gaelic football, basketball, volleyball, netball, hockey, badminton, tennis and golf at a number of venues in and around Dundee, with the majority of games taking place at the University of Dundee’s Riverside playing fields.

This is the third year in which the two universities have faced off on the pitch, court, course and gym for the Trophy and bragging rights. Whilst the rivalry is very much of the friendly kind, competition is sure to be fierce with Abertay determined to extract revenge from Dundee, who have emerged triumphant in each of the past two years.

Sarah McMichael, president of the Dundee University Sports Union said the event was intended as a celebration of university sport in the city.

'Dundee prides itself for its town and gown relationship,' she said. 'The Tay Games Varsity challenge is a great opportunity to expand this and for the two universities to work together. Dundee has held onto the Tay Games trophy for the past two years and we will be fighting hard to make sure we can keep it another year.'

Abertay’s Sports Development Officer Peter Burgon said, 'The Tay Games Varsity Challenge has become a genuine highlight in the sporting calendar and we’re delighted that this year’s event will be the biggest yet.

'It’s a great example of inter-university competition and I’m sure everyone playing or supporting will enjoy being involved.'

After the dust settles and the winner is declared the teams will meet up for some well-earned refreshments to either celebrate their success or drown their sorrows. A drinks reception and awards presentation will take place at the Riverside Pavilion from 5pm, following the conclusion of the men’s rugby match.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277