City Varsity IX returns to Richmond
"OH BABY IT’S BACK!” is how physics student Oli Long chose to open when I asked him about this year’s City Varsity, and honestly, it’s hard to put it better.
The Fennex City Varsity returns on 7th March at Old Deer Park in Richmond for its ninth appearance, bringing the usual mix of rugby and rivalry that has come to define the fixture. As ever, it wouldn’t quite be varsity without commentary on the opposition. In Oli’s words, “a new year brings a new low for LSE yet again.”
Following their fifth consecutive loss, he joked the men’s side had “scampered away from the Imperial chopping block by getting themselves banned,” adding that the surrounding rumours were “best left redacted.” The women’s fixture, however, remains firmly intact. Oli predicted Imperial Women’s Rugby would return to extend “their unbeaten streak of five consecutive varsity wins,” adding that “every good match needs its sore losers.” With opposition changes on the men’s side, Oli noted “some bookworms from a certain ancient duopoly stepping up for the slaughter,” joking that “just like the QS world rankings, Imperial will continue to look down on them, just from a sporting pedestal.”
There is much excitement around the day itself. “I’ve never been this excited, TCV IX will be better than ever,” he said, with venue upgrades including “noisier chants, booming music and loudspeaker craic.” He added that when the stands fill up, “it feels bigger than a normal uni match.” While rugby sits at the centre, it’s far from the only attraction. As Oli put it, whether you’re “an Imperial ultra or just like going out for a few drinks in an amazing atmosphere, the day won’t be one to miss.” With kick-off at 13:00 and the trophy ceremony at 17:00, the schedule leaves time for what he called “the real main event, the afterparty. Old Deer Park may have been underwater for a month, but even they won’t predict what’s coming,” he added, pointing to post-match plans including clubhouse drinks and a move to Metric.
Medicine student Liz Hamman echoed the same mix, describing City Varsity as the kind of event that works whether you’re there for rugby or not – “whether you’re a fan of women’s rugby, watching LSE get embarrassed for the fifth year in a row, or drinking stupid amounts of beer.” She added that the women’s club would be “bigger and better than ever before,” saying varsity day always brings “a different level of intensity,” with tickets starting at £10, “which beats the £35 fight night tickets.” Last year’s event drew close to 1,000 spectators, and a similar turnout is expected this March, with proceeds supporting the Matt Hampson Foundation.
Asked to summarise the day in three words, Oli deferred to teammate Ewan Christie: “Imperial. Domination. Beer.” Liz put it more simply: she “can’t think of a better way” to spend her Saturday.
Come on down to Old Deer Park on the 7th to see one of Imperial’s oldest rivalries take the stage. Contact Imperial Rugby for more information.
