Welsh Varsity celebrates 20th anniversary in Swansea

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Wednesday 20 April 2016 will be the date for the annual Welsh Varsity competition between Swansea and Cardiff universities, the largest student event in Wales, it was announced today.

Now in its 20th year, the Welsh Varsity sees over 900 students from Swansea and Cardiff universities competing in over 35 different sports, from basketball, rowing, golf, hockey and swimming, to fencing, squash, and Ultimate Frisbee. This year’s tournament runs from Saturday 16 – Wednesday 20 April, with competitions taking place on and around the Swansea University campus.

‌‌Welsh Varsity Cymru The competition culminates in a showpiece rugby match, which will take place in front of a crowd of thousands at the Liberty Stadium.

Many Swansea students have gone on to represent their countries and gain professional/semi-professional contracts with clubs on the back of great performances in the Welsh Varsity Match. Previous teams fielded by Swansea University have included British and Irish Lions Captain Alun-Wyn Jones, and Welsh internationals Richie Pugh and Dwayne Peel.

The rowing event launches this year’s tournament on Saturday 16 April with the men’s and women’s novice and senior squads battling for the spoils on Swansea’s River Tawe.

Felix Mmeka, Swansea University Students’ Union Sports Officer, welcomed the announcement: "As a Sports Officer, I am very excited that the 2016 Welsh Varsity will be held here in Swansea. It’s great that our athletes can compete on home soil. I am sure our clubs are looking forward to fighting for both the shield and the cup, and our students are eager to watch the spectacle!”

Tickets will be available from Thursday 28 January. Student packages will be available from Swansea University Students’ Union and Cardiff University Students’ Union. Priced at £22.50, packages include a rugby ticket, official T-shirt, transport to and from the game and an after party ticket.

Tickets will be on sale to the general public from the Liberty Stadium at the end of February.

Watch: Welsh Varsity Challenge

Be part of Swansea’s Green and White Army by tweeting using the hashtag #GWA16.

Follow the Welsh Varsity on Twitter.