THE abundance of choice at Swansea University is phenomenal and sport is no different, with no less than 41 sports on offer.
Swansea students have the choice of: Aikido, American Football, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoe, Cheerleading, Cricket, Equestrian, Football, Fencing, Golf, Hiking, Hockey, Jiu-Jitsu, Karting, Karate, Kickboxing, Kitesurfing, Lacrosse, Lifesaving, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Netball, Rowing, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Running, Sailing, Snowriders, Squash, Sub Aqua, Surf, Swimming, Tae Kwon Do, Tennis, Triathlon, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Windsurfing.
Swansea University is known for its rugby union, with players often going on to play professionally after graduation, such as Rhys Priestland at the Llanelli Scarlets and Alun Wyn Jones at the Ospreys.
Most sports compete against other universities through British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) events.
BUCS has been the governing body of higher education sport since 2008. Swansea has been in the top 31 since the introduction of BUCS and has peaked at 25th twice in 2010 and 2012.
Most team sports within BUCS take place on a Wednesday afternoon, with certain competitions taking place over the weekends such as the BUCS Short Course Swimming Championships.
Home games are usually played either at Sketty Lane playing fields or at Fairwood (bus travel available).
An internal football competition runs at Swansea University outside of the BUCS football competitions.
It is known as the Intramural Football League and it also runs throughout the year on Wednesday afternoons (weather permitting) at Ashleigh Road playing fields.
Spectators are always welcome to both Intramural or BUCS games to support the teams in action.
Last year saw the Ents cup (intramural cup competition) take place at St Helens rugby ground for the first time since its conception, which was a major venue upgrade from the Sketty athletic track the previous year.
One major change that has occurred since last year is the emergence of Sport Swansea.
Last year it was decided the Athletics’ Union was to be disbanded with the operations of sport to be handled within the Students’ Union.
This was confirmed by a merger vote that was supported by a majority of voters with all key Union officials actively supporting the change.
If you have any queries to do with sports, ask your Sports Officer, Imogen Stanley.
Finally it is time to speak about Varsity, or more precisely, the Welsh Varsity.
There are many Varsity events take that place across the UK, with the Welsh Varsity seeing Swansea face off against arch-rivals Cardiff.
Varsity is the biggest sporting event of the year and something all members of Swansea University’s sports teams look forward to.
The event has grown year in year out and now takes place over a week with a majority of the sports taking place on a single day.
The Varsity shield is awarded to whomever wins the most sports over the course of the event.
However, the rugby match is the most important one of all, and is the one that matters to student and player alike.
The Millennium Stadium hosts the match and it is also shown on S4C on television.
Swansea lost last year’s match but will look to follow in the footsteps of those who played in 2011, when Swansea defeated Cardiff in the first Varsity match to have been played at the Millennium.
So if you only go to one event this year make sure it is Varsity!
