Left to right: Amber Wallace (SU Sports Administrator), Becky Doran (SU Activities Officer), Sarah Hall (SU Sports and Societies Manager) and Luke Terrill (Deputy Head of Sussex Sport).

University of Sussex students are celebrating this week after securing an 11-7 victory in the revamped Varsity games.

Returning after a year’s hiatus, Varsity – the annual sporting contest with the University of Brighton – was welcomed back to the Sussex sporting calendar by large crowds from both universities.

This year the emphasis was placed very much on sportsmanship – and the games didn’t disappoint, with all matches played in the true spirit of the games.

More than 1,000 students from Sussex and Brighton watched the teams go head to head this year in what is still a hugely popular event for the city’s universities. The event was jointly hosted by both universities, with 18 fixtures played over a four-week period, covering 11 sports, including American Football, Ultimate Frisbee and Basketball.

Noting the fantastic atmosphere, Becky Doran, Activities Officer at the Students’ Union, said:

“I'm so pleased the series of events ran smoothly and that students were able to compete again. A lot of planning was put in by the SU and the University which has paid off. We are both excited to see the event run for many years to come!

“Of course, Sussex winning was also a nice bonus - upthesuss!”

This feeling of sporting camaraderie was replicated on the other side of the A27, with the University of Brighton Students' Union tweeting:

Congratulations to @sussexsu and all of their sports teams on their Varsity 2019 victory! ? We've been amazed by our sports teams and their talent throughout Varsity, well done to all of you ? Thank you to @SportBrighton for having us, already excited for next year! #GOPANTHERS https://t.co/SHtmZlmQGF

— Brighton SU (@SUBrighton) March 28, 2019

The event will be jointly hosted for the foreseeable future by USSU, Sussexsport, Sport Brighton and BSU.

University of Sussex Vice-Chancellor, Adam Tickell, said:

“Congratulations to #TeamSussex and huge thanks to both student unions and all the teams.

“As ever, all matches were played in the greatest spirit of competitiveness, with all teams displaying mutual respect and integrity - a fantastic occasion.”