News
Friday 2 March 2007
Charity Varsity Series gets underway with tight ice hockey encounter
A packed National Ice Arena saw Nottingham Trent University triumph over their University of Nottingham counterparts in the Varsity Ice Hockey on Thursday night. The game, which Nottingham Trent University won 5-3, was the first encounter of the Charity Varsity Series 2007, which pits the two institutions against other across a variety of sporting events.
This prestigious and high-profile series, which marks the end of the sporting season, is organised to celebrate sporting excellence and community relations. Proceeds from this year’s series will go to Nottingham-based charity CP (Cerebral Palsy) Sport, the sports organisation for people with cerebral palsy, which provides sporting opportunities to individuals at all levels.
There will be few complaints if the remaining varsity series is played out in the manner of Thursday’s encounter. It was a closely run contest, with both sides matching each other right up to the final whistle before two late goals from Nottingham Trent University sealed victory. The university is now on its way to securing the Varsity Series Trophy for the third-year running.
The Charity Varsity Series timetable is as follows:
- Football Varsity: Monday, March 12, Notts County’s Meadow Lane. Ladies kick-off at 5.30pm and men kick-off at 7.45pm.
- Rugby Union Varsity: Monday, April 30, Notts County’s Meadow Lane. Junior Tag Final kick-off 4.30pm, ladies kick-off at 5.30pm and men kick-off at 7.45pm.
- Rugby League Varsity: Date TBC, Moderns Rugby Club, Nottingham Outlaws Rugby League Ground.
- Cricket Varsity: Sunday, May 27, Trent Bridge County Cricket Ground. 11am start.
Entertainment at the events will include ice dancing and performances from cheerleaders, including Nottingham Trent University’s award-winning squad, the Nottingham Trent Tigers. The Rugby Union Varsity will be preceded by the final of Junior Tag Rugby Varsity, which will see the winning schools of Tag Rugby tournaments compete to become overall winner.
Nottingham Trent University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Gorman, said:
“I’m very pleased that this year’s Varsity Series is in support of CP (Cerebral Palsy) Sport. This charity works to improve the lives of people with physical disabilities through sport. It provides opportunities and support from grass-roots and recreational activity right through to paralympic standard.”
He added:
“It’s been a good year for sport. For example, our Rugby Union first team has had a particularly good season, and our alumnus, Nick Easter, played in England’s Six Nations Championship match against Italy last month. Even more importantly, more and more students and staff are taking up sport. I’m particularly pleased that our Sports and Fitness members have access to the University of Nottingham swimming pool. It’s great to see the two universities working together to promote sport and fitness in this way. Beginners or champions, sport offers something to all of us.”
ENDS
Anyone interested in attending a Charity Varsity Series event can call 0115 848 6278 for more information.
Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk
or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
