Derby Day vs Varsity which is better?

There are two approaches Universities take when playing against their rival University in a non BUCS event. The one is the traditional varsity which is implemented by Oxbridge and Russel group universities who compete against former polytechnics. This is when each sport is played over the academic year at various times and often at professional sports venues.

The other is used by the Bristol Universities and East Anglia versus Essex, to name a few. This is when a whole day is designated for every sport to be competed in various locations across either the campus or the city.

Which one is better? Does it depend on the University?

For more sport minded Universities the first one, which I will call varsity, is better. Whereas for less historically sport minded Universities the second, which I will call Derby Day, is superior.

Poster of the University of Essex's
American Football promoting 
Derby Day 2014
The reasons behind this is that Derby Day unites the University for one day a year and for those who do not necessarily enjoy sport get the urge to support their sports teams. It is for only one day a year so it feels like they have done their duty but only 24 hours of their lives has been taken up by something that they are not entirely interested in.

It also gives the opportunity for less renowned sports to get the deserved support and attention that other sports do. For example Derby Day 2014 saw a thrilling climax in the Pool matches where, normally an under supported sport, there was the same level of interest as a other more mainstream sports receive.






The sheer amount of interest across the two universities can be best explained by this tweet  from Concrete UEA Student's Newspaper: https://twitter.com/Concrete_UEA/status/445332754092134400/photo/1

No matter the results throughout the day there is always interest in each event. It just so happened that this year it was the closest in recent years.

In varsity though, because of the high level in sport at these Universities, stadiums are filled to watch the one off events. Unlike Derby Day, only first teams play which gives each match an increased edge to it.

There is also more professional coverage of the events, due to the stadia that teams played and also the detailed attention that they can give to each match. Unlike Derby Day, only one sport is played in the same week so there is huge build up for that one sport. However, coverage of Derby Day is getting significantly better each year. Soon each of the over 30 sports on derby day will have the same coverage as each specific varsity match.

This is the highlights of the Nottingham varsity Ice Hockey match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gp5tUJi6c4

if you look for other links there are 40 minute pre game shows and live videos of the whole match. This level of coverage epitomises the difference between the days. Derby Day joins a University in support in a more fun filled day, but still with the necessary competitive edge. Where as varsity has the feel of a professional sports team derby, often due to the standard play, coverage, lack of matches and the facilities used.

In conclusion it really depends on the University with both concepts offering a lot and are fantastic spectacles.

The Impact of rising costs on Univeristy Sport

Protests, turning into riots, ensued at the news of an increase in University tuition fees. This had absolutely no impact on Westminster's decision to push forward with increasing the tuition fee cap to £9,000 a year.

For those who have been burdened with this price hike have also seen the cost of accommodation rise to the extent that in some cases their maintenance loan from the government no longer is enough.

If I was to get a maintenance loan starting in September 2013, according to the student finance calculator http://www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/calculator/studentfinancecalculator , I would be given - £3575

Below are a couple accommodation fees from two different universities:

Loughborough

Cost	Catered hall	Self-catered hall	Rented house (shared)
Hall fees/rent	£5,200 (32 weeks)	£4,300 (38 weeks)	£3,900 (52 weeks)
Utilities	£0	£0	£300
Food	£375	£1,450	£1,450
Laundry/household	£160	£190	£190
Travel	£250	£250	£250
Course costs/books etc	£350	£350	£350
Insurance	£100	£100	£100
Telephone	£285	£300	£300
Clothing	£225	£225	£225
Leisure	£865	£865	£865
Other	£100	£100	£100
Total	£7,910	£8,130	£8,030

Sheffield Hallam - Devonshire Court

Number of rooms	Number of weeks	Annual rent 2013–14	Weekly rent 2013–14
295 Single en suite	44	£4,048	£92
21 Large single en suite (3/4 bed)	44	£4,268	£97

The impact this has on sport is that students now struggle to find the time or money to afford to play sport.

With the rise in tuition fees students feel that more hours should be available for seminars and lectures, what this does is limit the times that students can designate to training. What is more disturbing for sport minded students is Universities using time that would have been previously dedicated to BUCS fixtures (British Universities & Colleges Sport) being taken up by classroom hours.

Yes students should focus on their studies, but not to the extent that they can no longer play sport. Take away time from the bar for contact hours by all means, but Wednesday is sacred for University sports and should not be touched.

Each year the cost to join sports clubs has risen, for example the University of East Anglia Sports Association Membership, which is method of becoming insured by the University, has risen from £30 in 2010 to £45 in 2014. This is only a small difference compared to other Universities.

I personally cannot understand why students see this figure and get put off joining a sports club, however this is the case with some.

With the maintenance loans not always covering accommodation some students cannot afford this extra cost. Sometimes, in order to make ends meet, they have to sacrifice training sessions for work shifts or even sacrifice joining a club all together.

This lowers the standard of University sport across the board as athletes are not either training enough to improve or cannot play in the first place.

Some may argue that if they wanted to be an elite sportsman they would have joined an academy instead of joining university. In some sports this can be true but in many, such as Cricket and Netball, University matches play a key part in producing future professional talent.

If Great Britain want to continue to be a presence on the world sporting stage then the growing trend needs to be halted otherwise we will face the prospect of an ever declining sporting nation.