Countdown begins to Varsity 2018 as people urged to get behind #TeamDMU

The countdown has begun to this year’s Varsity as De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s sports teams face off against rivals the University of Leicester.

And this year students and staff from across the university are being urged to back We Are DMU, our supporters’ campaign to cheer #TeamDMU to their best year yet.

Inspired by our DMU Sport teams, We Are DMU will celebrate and champion the message of inclusivity and teamwork that shows we are stronger together.

Sports Clubs, Societies, your student housemates or work colleagues – everyone at DMU is being encouraged to attend matches during the eight days of Varsity.

This year more than 740 students from DMU will be competing across 62 teams in 28 different sports - from those you might expect such as Football, Rugby and Squash to the more unusual Trampolining and the fast and technical Archery.

The city’s greatest rivalry will be launched by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard at the The Venue@DMU on Tuesday 6 March at 5pm.

And the students themselves cannot wait to get started. Netball player Millie Horn said: “The atmosphere at Varsity is amazing. I like how competitive it is and the support we get. To hear the crowds cheering for you gives you such an amazing feeling.”

The rugby teams get to play their Varsity fixture on the hallowed turf of Welford Road, home of Leicester Tigers. David Nurse, first team captain, said: “There’s nothing else like it. It’s under the lights, there’s 5,000 people there watching. In that environment, even when you’re already giving 100% you can find an extra 10% for the team.”

Students and staff are invited to come and show their support for our sporting athletes who are set to go into battle with the University of Leicester.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:

• For news, videos, fixtures and more throughout the series click here

• You can also follow the action across our social media channels Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. 

• Share your Varsity memories with us using the hashtag: #TeamDMU.

This season DMU have climbed into the top 70 in the British University and Colleges Sports (BUCS) rankings, their highest ever position with plenty of BUCS points still up for grabs.

It follows sustained investment in DMUsport which has included improved facilities, technical coaching and sports scholarships to help encourage and develop more students at DMU to play sport.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard said he was hoping to be cheering on DMU’s best-ever year in the competition.

He said: “There is a real upward trajectory this year. This year we’ll be encouraging sports clubs to go along and support other sporting disciplines.

“I remember the atmosphere at Varsity last year and we want that to continue. I’m really excited for it all to get started.”