Game On for Mental Health: Sheffield’s Universities Compete to Support Sheffield Flourish

This year’s Varsity competition is bringing more than just sporting glory – it’s uniting Sheffield’s student community in support of mental health.

We’re thrilled that Sheffield Flourish has been chosen as the charity partner for Varsity 2025! As the two universities go head to head in their annual showdown, they’ll also be racing to raise the most money for Sheffield Flourish and the important work we do.

Varsity is more than just a competition – it’s a celebration of teamwork, resilience, and community spirit. We’re incredibly grateful to the organisers for recognising the importance of mental health – not just for individuals, and those closest to us, but also for the community of Sheffield.

Key Dates for Varsity 2025:
📣 Opening Ceremony – 19 March (Canon Medical Arena)
⚽ Sports Park Day – 26 March (We’ll be there!)
🏊 Ponds Forge Day – 28 March
🏋️ EIS Day – 31 March
🎉 Closing Ceremony – 2 April (Sheffield Arena)

If you’re one of the thousands taking part in the action or spectating please do come along to our stall during Sports Park Day on 26 March to meet the Sheffield Flourish team, and find out more about what we do and what the money raised will support.

Below is more about Varsity taken from their webpage:

“Sheffield Varsity began in 1997 when sporting teams from the city’s two universities competed against each other in the first coordinated tournament of its kind. From there it snowballed, and now Sheffield Varsity is believed to be one of the biggest Varsity competitions in the UK.

Around 1,000 students from both the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam take part in over 70 sporting events in venues across the city, cheered on by more than 15,000 spectators. Competitors will take part in over 30 sports, from boxing to rowing, athletics to ice hockey, and waterpolo to lacrosse. Sheffield Varsity is the city’s own Olympic games, with the team scoring the most points overall claiming victory for the year.

For two weeks each year, both campuses turn the colours of their respective teams: black and gold for the University of Sheffield, and maroon for Team Hallam. The fierce competitive nature between the teams is clear, and the electric atmosphere of the tournament cements it as a milestone in the Sheffield student experience.

Sheffield Varsity 2025 kicks off on Wednesday 19th March with Basketball and Netball at Canon Medical Arena”