TabTV: Hockey Varsity 2013

At 2pm on Sunday March 24, Hockey Varsity will bring together over 700 local students and hockey supporters to watch the highest level of hockey played in the West of England. Run in support of The RNLI, Wheels4Life and the Unogwaja Challenge, it will showcase international hockey talent at its very best, while a win on the day could see EUMHC return to the Play Offs and have a chance at returning to England Hockey Premier League at the first time of asking.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for Children or £15 for a Family, and are available from ticket sellers on campus, the AU Office, Sports Park Reception and the Guild Information Desk.

In the match itself, we welcome Cardiff & UWIC, in what will be a season defining clash. One point separates Exeter, Guildford and Cardiff at the top of National Conference West, and with the Green Machine looking to regain their Premier League status from last year, everything comes down to the final weekend, and varsity.

Following on from the huge success of London 2012, there has never been a better time to get involved with hockey. The standout pink and blue turf of the Riverbank Arena was home to some of the most action packed drama of the summer, with the Great Britain women’s team securing a memorable bronze.

The University of Exeter’s very own Ian Haley was in action for South Africa, and with Olympians of the future appearing on 24th March in the green jersey, the Varsity match will be a showcase of hockey at its very best.

From recent leavers such as Tom Carson, who has represented England A and plays in the Euro Hockey League for Reading, to older Alumni such as British Olympians Jimmy Wallace and Nick Brothers, Exeter has been home to some of the country’s brightest hockey stars throughout its proud history.

Current talent on display for the Green Machine include the headline name of South African Olympian Ian Haley, and USA Senior goalkeeper Chris Rea, who has recently returned from the World League in Rio. The two goal hero from last weekend’s victory over Guilford, Nick Cooper has appeared for England under 21s alongside full back Ollie Clarke, while the midfield dynamo Tom Samuel has appeared for Ireland.

With the match getting underway at 2pm, it is an occasion not to miss. As well as top level England Hockey League Action taking place on our Olympic Standard Water Based Astro, we have a Red Bull giveaway on the day, live music from the University’s Beats and Bass society, food from the Baked Potato Company and Old English Hot Dogs, hot drinks, an RNLI Fundraising Stall and much more, so help us bring the noise and make Hockey Varsity 2013 a day to remember!

Follow us on Twitter @ExeterUniHC and join the event on Facebook for more information in the run up to the big day!

EUMHC catch up with Stormy Stan at RNLI in Exmouth