Varsity fever is growing as Swansea University students queued for their coveted tickets and welcomed the news that former Ospreys boss Sean Holley has joined the Swansea University Rugby 1sts backroom to help out with the preparation ahead of the huge event.
Holley has been a massive fan of the Welsh Varsity over recent years, believing that the spectacle of it will continue to grow year after year.
Holley said: “I’ve been impressed with the standard, the enthusiasm and the energy for it. It was a great atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium back in 2010 and I didn’t think it would be topped. Then to the Millennium Stadium last year, which I thought was a fantastic spectacle; not just off the field where the support was tremendous, on the field the standard of play was excellent. I think it will be as equally entertaining this year, if not better.”
Holley spent nine years at the Ospreys– four of which were as Head Coach, shaping world-class talent like Tommy Bowe, Alun Wyn-Jones and Shane Williams, as well as sharing in the success of an Anglo Welsh Cup and three Celtic League titles.
He stepped down from the club in February of this and now is excited about getting involved with the Swansea set up in the build-up to Varsity
“It’s my local university,” he said. “Having been a university player myself at Loughborough I understand what it is like and I’m happy to help.”
“I have the utmost respect for Head Coach Richard Lancaster and Back’s Coach Steve Mellalieu. They’ve asked me to get involved and I’m delighted to help out. I think they are looking for someone to lean on, just to make sure that they are getting things right.
“It’s quite a big preparation time to the Varsity and they’ll be look for some type of experience to give them a bit of an edge and I’m more than happy to try and bring that.”
This years Varsity match takes place on 2nd May 2012 with the sought after tickets available from www.swansea-union.co.uk. Over 4,500 tickets have already been sold.
The Welsh Varsity takes place every year between Swansea University and Cardiff University. Over 25 events to find the deserving winner of the Varsity Shield take place over the course of a week. The centrepiece rugby “head-to-head” match takes place on the Wednesday evening in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Over 14,500 spectators attended last years match.
Other sports represented include hockey, squash, badminton, lacrosse, rowing, golf, basketball, football, netball, fencing and an array of other sports including martial arts. This is a fundraising event with proceeds going to a number of worthy causes.
For more information on the history of the Welsh Varsity event, previous results and information on this years fever pitch battle visit http://www.welshvarsity.com
Information about Swansea University RFC can be found at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/swanseauniversityrfc.
