New VarsiTAY competition for 2015

St Andrews vs. Dundee vs. Abertay – an ultimate VarsiTAY competition planned for up to 20 sports.


The Universities of St Andrews, Abertay and Dundee have joined forces with a vision of creating a varsity style challenge between all 3 universities. The challenge, being dubbed ‘VarsiTay’, will see sports teams from each of the Universities compete in a series of local derbies against each other.

The University of St Andrews Sports Development Manager, Gary Brankin said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to renew the friendly rivalry between all 3 universities on the pitch. In recent years St Andrews has taken on teams from RAF Leuchars in a varsity challenge, but with that due to a come to an end, this exciting opportunity has arisen. The VarsiTay will allow us to continue with an annual varsity competition with more of our teams and more of our students able to compete.”

With an initial list of 20 sports being drawn up, the VarsiTAY could become the biggest event between universities in Scotland, with the potential to have over 1,000 participants. Abertay University Sports Development Officer, Ali Bell is also enthusiastic about the project:

“Varsity is already one of the major highlights in the student sport calendar for Abertay students and, by creating a tri-varsity challenge, the event will be bigger, better and engage more students. Myself and the Abertay students are really excited at this prospect and looking forward to the event next year”

The VarsiTAY is scheduled to take place over 3 days in March 2015 with all 3 universities hosting a day’s competition, culminating in a trophy presentation and social event. Dundee Sports Union President Grant Murdoch said, “We at Dundee are excited for the new Tri-VarsiTAY and look forward to 2015 immensely”

Iain Stewart, Scottish Student Sport’s Tayside & Fife Coordinator, is also very upbeat about this new tournament:

“This event will be a fantastic addition to the national student sport scene with three institutions who are passionate about their sport. The students who play in this event will be part of something very special. I hope the sporting community of Dundee and north east Fife will get behind this event and come out and support some top level competition in what is undoubtedly going to be a highlight in the sporting calendar locally.”

Plans for this exciting new competition are well underway, with staff from all 3 Universities working hard to turn this vision into a reality. Organisers are ensuring that students from all three universities have the opportunity to battle it out against their nearest rivals for the title of, VarsiTAY Champions.