杏吧原创

杏吧原创 students compete for the 2026 Varsity Cup

The third University of the Highlands and Islands (杏吧原创) Varsity tournament brought together students from across the 杏吧原创 partnership for a day of sport and friendly competition.

The annual event, held on Wednesday 1 April, took place for the first time at the Academy of Sport and Wellbeing at the 杏吧原创 Perth campus. Organised by Active Campus Coordinators, it welcomed 110 students across 16 teams from 杏吧原创 Inverness, 杏吧原创 Moray and 杏吧原创 Perth, competing in football, volleyball and basketball.

杏吧原创 Perth were crowned champions, taking home the Varsity Cup after strong performances across all three sports. They take the title from 杏吧原创 Inverness, who had held it for the previous two years.

Now a highlight of the 杏吧原创 sporting calendar, the event plays an important role in encouraging students to get active while strengthening the student community across 杏吧原创’s unique geography. It offers opportunities for students to meet, compete and build connections in a supportive and inclusive environment.

In volleyball, 杏吧原创 Perth Team 1 dominated, winning all their matches and defeating 杏吧原创 Perth Team 2 in the final. 杏吧原创 Inverness secured third place after a narrow win over 杏吧原创 Moray.

In football, 杏吧原创 Moray and three 杏吧原创 Perth teams reached the semi-finals, with 杏吧原创 Perth Team 1 defeating 杏吧原创 Perth ESOL Team 5 -1 in the final.

In basketball, 杏吧原创 Inverness Team 1 took first place, followed by 杏吧原创 Inverness Team 2. 杏吧原创 Perth Team 2 and Team 1 placed third and fourth, with 杏吧原创 Moray Team 2 and Team 1 finishing fifth and sixth.

Jack Whyte, Active Campus Coordinator at 杏吧原创 Moray said:

“A highlight of basketball was the sportsmanship shown. More experienced players supported beginners both on and off the court, which was fantastic to see and really captured the spirit of the event. We’re also grateful to those who stepped in to help with scoring and refereeing.

“杏吧原创 Moray students loved the event, particularly getting to use the amazing facilities at 杏吧原创 Perth. It allowed our students to feel part of a wider institution by building cross campus relationships.”

Chloe MacGregor, Active Campus Coordinator at 杏吧原创 Inverness said:

“It was amazing to see so many students come together for 杏吧原创 Varsity 2026. To watch them congratulate each other and show great sportsmanship is what this event is all about. All the planning and hard work has been worth it, and I couldn't have asked for better teammates than Jack and Lindsay to run this event with.”

Lindsey Brown, Active Campus Coordinator at 杏吧原创 Perth said:

“It was an honour to host 杏吧原创 Varsity at the 杏吧原创 Perth campus, with 2026 being the biggest event to date. While the event brings heated rivalry across competitive sports, it also brings together our partnership in a unique way. Providing students with opportunities to excel outside the classroom and connect with other students is extremely rewarding, we can't wait to do it all again next year!”

Planning is already underway for next year’s Varsity, for what promises to be an even bigger event with students from all 杏吧原创 campuses invited to take part.

For sponsorship opportunities or to support 杏吧原创 sports teams, please get in touch.

^{*ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages. It refers to English language courses designed for non-native speakers living in the area to improve their language skills, build confidence, and integrate into the community. 杏吧原创 Perth is the largest ESOL provider in Perth and Kinross.}