Varsity team

In the United States and Canada, varsity teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against similar teams at corresponding educational institutions. Groups of varsity sports teams are often organized into athletic conferences, which are groups of teams that regularly play each other during a given athletic season. In recognition of their high level of performance, athletes on varsity teams are often given varsity letters. They are in contrast to the institution's club sports. A major difference between varsity and club sports is the source for allocated funds. varsity teams receive financial support, equipment, and facilities from college and university athletic department budgets. Universities often allocate club sport budgets through student life departments similar to other clubs on campus. Because club sports cost more than other clubs, many club student-athletes must pay to play and also engage in team fundraising efforts to pay for facilities time, equipment, and other team expenses. At various levels of collegiate sports, varsity student athletes are eligible for scholarships solely or partially based on athletic skills.

In the United Kingdom, varsity team refers to groups participating in varsity matches in sport or other competitions between rival universities, famously Oxford vs. Cambridge

List of UK varsity

De Montfort University vs. Leicester University
University of Hull vs. University of York
University College London vs. Kings College London
University of Surrey vs. Kingston University
The University of Manchester vs. Manchester Metropolitan University
Southampton University vs. Southampton Solent University
University of Kent vs. Canterbury Christ Church University
Leeds University vs. Leeds Metropolitan University
Nottingham Trent University vs. University of Nottingham
University College Plymouth vs. University of Plymouth
University of Bristol vs. University of the West of England
University of Warwick vs. Coventry University
University of Essex vs. University of East Anglia
Sheffield Hallam University vs. University of Sheffield
University of Huddersfield vs. University of Bradford
Brunel University vs. St Mary's University College
University of Derby vs. University of Lincoln
Keele University vs. Staffordshire University

Junior varsity to varsity

Junior varsity players may be able to go up a level to varsity playing by performing well.

See also

• Letterman (sports)
• Junior varsity