The ever-increasingly popular Notts Varsity Basketball returns this Tuesday, 9th May at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham and the Hoods will be fully involved as usual.
On court, Nottingham Trent University Head Coach and Hoods player, Ryan Westley, is looking to back-up last year’s surprise victory and record back-to-back wins for the first time since 2010. Off the court, Hoods Club Captain, Bruce Lauder will once again be taking to the airwaves with expert analysis and comment for URN1350.
The Varsity series brings together students from the green and gold of Nottingham University and the Trent Army for a combination of fun and celebration in sport at some of our city’s finest venues,. Even if sport isn’t necessarily your thing, the atmosphere, tension, and excitement is sure to be irresistible across the events. It’s a classic tale of local rivalry dating back to the first Varsity football event in 2001, demanding the participation of all students to perform and to turn out to support your team to glory.
Taking place over two weeks, this year’s series will see Varsity favourites basketball and ice hockey return to the Motorpoint Arena, football at Meadow Lane, futsal and table tennis will also be returning this year; and for the very first time Super Wednesday will be hosted at the new David Ross Sports Village, displaying a wealth of talent across our Universities.
Recent history has favoured University of Nottingham, leaving Trent without an overall victory since 2011, and Coach Westley’s win last year in the Men’s basketball competition stopped a run of 3 one-sided affairs. Coach Westley commented, “As always, the anticipation and excitement for this year’s Varsity game is extremely high. Off the back of our Varsity win last season, our 2016-17 season has been our most successful to date as we gained promotion in the league with a 9-1 record. We are heading into this year’s Varsity series full of confidence that we can show the we are this city’s premier basketball university.”
Club Captain, Bruce Lauder added, “last season’s Basketball Varsity win for Trent and their performance this season is testament to the hard work and dedication of Coach Westley and the Hoods club in supporting the entire programme. It shows how beneficial the relationship between a university and a major sports club can be and allows the whole sport in the region to flourish.”
Coach Westley has every confidence in his group of young men repeating last year’s victory, “Our intelligent and athletic play, mixed with our trademark intense work ethic has proven to be a nightmare for our opposition this year. I am very proud of the guys and can’t wait to display our full prowess in front of a huge crowd.”
In the Women’s game it is very hard to look past University of Nottingham. Coached by ex-WNBA player, Andrea Congreaves, the team won the Division 2 National League and Play-Off double as well as picking up coach (Andrea Congreaves) and player (Gabriela Bronson) of the year in the Basketball England awards.
Full commentary of both games will be available on http://urn1350.net/
Tickets for UoN are available by clicking here
Tickets for Trent are available by clicking here
History
2016 – University of Nottingham (13-8)
Men’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 76-74 Women’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 57-432015 – University of Nottingham (12-8)
Men’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 82-56 Women’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 100-36 2014 – University of Nottingham (8-7) Men’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 75-43 Women’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 61-20 2013 – University of Nottingham (10-5) Men’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 83-70 Women’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 51-47 2012 – University of Nottingham (9-6) Men’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 74-58 Women’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 61-54 2011 – Tie (7-7) Men’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 73-63 Women’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 55-49 2010 – Nottingham Trent University (8-6) Men’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 75-58 Women’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 59-32 2009 – University of Nottingham (7.5-5.5) Men’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 61-47 Women’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 58-50 2008 – Nottingham Trent University (7.5-4.5) Men’s Basketball – University of Nottingham 70-68 Women’s Basketball – Nottingham Trent University 55-42
