Dundee rises to the challenge to retain Trophy

Varsity is the city’s largest amateur sporting event, with more than 600 student athletes from Dundee and Abertay taking part in the inter-university event.

This year’s tournament saw a total of 19 competitive contests held across sports including athletics, basketball, football, golf, hockey, netball, rugby, tennis and volleyball. The action took place across venues in and around the city, with University of Dundee’s Riverside grounds and Institute of Sport & Exercise (ISE), Scotscraig golf club and the Regional Performance Centre at Caird Park all hosting match ups.

Dundee’s 14-5 victory was confirmed with the klaxon which brought an end to the men’s Basketball match at ISE, where hundreds of spectators from both universities had gathered to watch the action together.

Sarah Roddick, Sports Union President at Dundee, said, “Varsity 2023 was a phenomenal day with our students, both competitive and non-competitive, out in force displaying fantastic comradery.

“Our teams celebrated a strong overall victory against Abertay with students from both sides spilling into the ISE building to watch the men's basketball finale, all enjoying the action together. It was an incredible effort from all those involved, students and staff alike. Roll on varsity 2024!”

Michael Devlin, Sports Development Officer at Abertay, added, “Regardless of the result, Varsity 2023 was a huge success with 24 different events, hundreds of students playing sport and just as many watching. From an Abertay perspective, we produced some great results outdoors, most notably the football.

“I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff from ISE who supported the event on the day. Without them Varsity wouldn't be the fantastic event it is. We look forward to running it again in 2024.”

After the final match, the victorious Dundee team was presented with the Tay Varsity Challenge Trophy.