If the start to this year’s Varsity Hockey men’s season, which took place at the University of the Witwatersrand from 3rd to 5th May is anything to go by, we can expect an action-packed and highly charged event in Stellenbosch this weekend. Don’t miss these top university teams in action as they take each other on in this highly competitive arena. Matches commence at 14h00 on Saturday 10th May, 17h00 on the Sunday and 17h00 on the Monday.
The Varsity Sports programme, now in its second successful year, has brought the excitement of USA college sports to the enthusiastic South African sporting public. What could be more exciting than a combination of smart outfits, toned bodies and enthusiastic teams competing for honours at the highest level. So pack up the family and come and support your team. The pace is fast - this is university sport at its best, with non-stop action being the order of the day.
“Many promising young sportsmen and women are coming through the Varsity Sports programme,” says Trent Key, Marketing and Sponsorship Executive for Varsity Sports. “Shannon Boucher, striker and SA Junior AFCON Winner, will be helping to drive the Maties team towards the 2014 finals. Boucher will be joined by fellow Maties and WPU21 team mates, Dylan Swanepoel (defender) and Rob Edwards (midfield); who collectively already enjoy 35+ years’ experience on the hockey field.” With the 2016 Olympics a goal for many of these young sporting stars, this weekend’s line up is sure to be action-packed with non-stop suspense and excitement.
“It will be a privilege to see our future sporting heroes in action again,” says Trent. “One of the advantages of the Varsity Sports programme, is that it brings the excitement right to one’s doorstep.” But rest assured, winning won’t come easy. With some of our finest young players coming through the university ranks and fighting hard for their teams, this will be a hard fought victory with no quarter being given by any side.
After a very successful year in 2013, the participating universities in the Varsity Sports programme will once again compete across six sporting codes during 2014. The men’s hockey will be taking place at four venues from the 3rd May and ending off with the semi-finals and finals at the University of Johannesburg on the 19th May. The men’s hockey will be followed by the football programme from 21st July to 15th September; netball from 15th September to 20th October; rugby sevens and beach volleyball from 28th to 30th November.
Participating universities across all six sporting codes are: The University of Limpopo (UL); Free State (Kovsies); Pretoria (Tuks); Stellenbosch (Maties); NMMU (Port Elizabeth); North-West University (Pukke); Rhodes University; University of Fort Hare (UFH); Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); Vaal University of Technology; The University of Cape Town (UCT); the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
The Varsity Sports arena is the ideal place for our up and coming athletes to show their metal. Whether this is a personal best, a national record or merely the honour of competing for your university against some of the best sportsmen in the country, this is the place to be and to be seen. “Each event will be televised on SuperSport,” says Duitser Bosman, CEO of Varsity Sports. “We are also eternally grateful to our sponsors; FNB, Cell C, Famous Brands Group, Samsung, and the Edcon Group. Without their ongoing commitment to sport, our athletes would find it difficult to maintain the high performance standards required at top level.” Varsity Sports is part of Advent Sport Entertainment & Media (Pty) Ltd. (ASEM), which is headed by SA rugby legend Francois Pienaar.
“While the creation of an exciting platform from which our future sports heroes can leap to even higher levels is our primary goal, we are also helping to integrate sportsmen at every level and from every background,” says Bosman. “The team spirit and spectator unity that is clearly evident at our events is proof of this.” The crowd participation is always vociferous and enthusiastic, the Varsity Sports events are different – they’re fast paced and adrenalin driven. “Don’t miss an event,” says Bosman. “The spirit shown by spectators and athletes alike is riveting - the events are always action-packed and fun for everyone.”
Hockey has always been an enjoyable sport for spectators of all ages. The game is easy to understand and the competitive spirit of the athletes, as they vie for team honour, shouldn’t be missed. This is happening right here and right now - so come along and shout for your team, the louder the better! For those living further afield, be sure to watch all the drama unfold by following non-stop Varsity Sports action on SuperSport channel 210 this Sunday & Monday.
