University Community Activity for Varsity

This year’s Varsity competition between University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University holds its largest event, the rugby finale, on Wednesday 30 April at Headingley Stadium. The finale consists of two matches, with the women’s match kicking off at 17:15 before the men’s at 19:15. The total crowd is likely once again to be between 7,000 and 10,000.

Community pledge  

We’ve made sure everyone involved in Varsity is aware of the impact some past behaviours have had on local communities. All teams have once again signed up to Varsity Community pledge which covers a range of anti-social behaviour, including litter, and leaving the venue.

The pledge centres around the tournament’s values of Friendship, Passion and Pride, which we believe that everyone in the local area can benefit from.

Community Activity 

Every year, Leeds Beckett University celebrates Varsity by offering free Junior Beckett Sports sessions to the local community. This year there will be coach-led tennis, squash and athletics activities on Saturday 10 May to coincide with the Rob Burrow Marathon MND Mile event on the university’s Headingley campus. Here’s more information on the MND Mile | Run For All.

University of Leeds students and their sports clubs are signing up for volunteering opportunities through its Gryphons volunteering programme, which uses the power of sports to bring communities together. You can learn about the opportunities available for students by following this link.

This year, students will be returning to motivate fellow runners at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Meanwhile, the Girls Training Together club attended local schools to provide fitness and dance sessions with girls from years five and six, helping them to build confidence.

Litter 

The stadium security is placing bins at every entry point, in which they will place any confiscated items. The stadium also has bins on the exits so that no rubbish is removed from the stadium. Leeds University Union and Leeds Beckett students will once again employ a team of litter pickers for the streets with the highest footfall surrounding the stadium. The litter picks will take place during the finale and first thing the following morning (Thursday 1 May) before schools open.  We will be in close contact with the council’s cleaner neighbourhoods team to make sure that any hazards we cannot safely remove are dealt with as quickly as possible.

Anti-social behaviour 

The universities, the stadium operators and the police are working together to ensure an effective police presence inside and outside the stadium. All ticket-holders are given a ‘Top 10’ list of expected behaviours and rules to follow.

Noise

The universities fund a dedicated noise nuisance service for inner north-west Leeds. Two dedicated response officers respond exclusively to calls in the area until 4am (last callout 3.30am) every night, seven days a week.  The officers will be on patrol before and after the Varsity finale.

You can report noise nuisance by calling:

  • 5pm to 4am every day: 0113 3760337
  •  8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday – or if you do not require an immediate response: 0113 222 4402

People can also report online using Leeds City Council’s web form for anti-social behaviour.

Recognising that our sports clubs and their fans will wish to celebrate their participation, LUU and Leeds Beckett organise official afterparties on campus and in the city.