2014 Varsity Football

Varsity Football Challenge
Season 2014
Champions

UP-Tuks

(2nd Title)
Matches played 31
Biggest home win 6-0 (NWU vs UCT), (UJ vs UCT)
Biggest away win 4-0 (UJ vs Tuks), (NMMU vs UFS)
Highest scoring 5-1 (Tuks vs UL), 6-0 (NWU vs UCT), (UJ vs UCT), 3-3 (UCT vs UWC)
Longest unbeaten run UJ (8 games)

The 2014 Varsity Football challenge is the second season of a South African university association football competition. It involves some of the top football playing universities in the country, which belong to the University Sports Company. The tournament is run by Varsity Sports SA, and is endorsed by the South African Football Association and University Sport South Africa.[1]

History

The Varsity Cup tournament was founded in 2008, featuring the rugby teams of eight universities. Varsity Sports was expanded in 2012 to include other sporting codes.[2] University Sport South Africa discussed the Varsity Football proposal at its 2012 annual general meeting. The idea was initially rejected, as it was seen to split the member institutions.[3] However, it was later accepted, and 2013 was the inaugural season of Varsity Football, with an 8 team men's tournament.[4] A four team women's tournament is also being played.[5]

Participating Teams

NMMU
NWU
UCT
UFS
UJ
UL
UP
UWC
TUT
Location of teams in 2014 Varsity Football
Blue: Men's teams only; Red: Women's teams only; Green: Men's and Women's teams.
UCT is the oldest of the competing universities
Tuks are the 2013 Varsity Sports men's football champions

The eight teams competing in the men's Varsity Football challenge are:

Varsity Football Challenge
Team Name University Stadium
NMMU MadibazNelson Mandela Metropolitan UniversityNMMU Stadium
NWU MafikengNorth-West UniversityMafikeng Sports Fields
UCT IkeysUniversity of Cape TownThe Green Mile
UFS KovsiesUniversity of the Free StateShimla Park
UJUniversity of JohannesburgAW Muller Stadium
UJ Soweto Campus Sport Complex
LimpopoUniversity of LimpopoOscar Mphetha Stadium1
UP-TuksUniversity of PretoriaTuks Stadium
UWCUniversity of the Western CapeUWC Sport Stadium

The four teams competing in the men's Varsity Football challenge are:

Varsity Football Challenge
Team Name University Stadium
UJUniversity of JohannesburgAW Muller Stadium
UP-TuksUniversity of PretoriaTuks Stadium
TUTTshwane University of TechnologyTUT Stadium
UWCUniversity of the Western CapeUWC Sport Stadium

Qualification

Qualification was based on the 2013 University Sports South Africa National Club Championships. In order to qualify, men's teams need to be one of the eight highest placed teams associated with Varsity Sports.

Standings

2013 Varsity Football Log
Pos Team Played Won Drawn Lost Goals For Goals Against Goal Difference Points
1UJ73401961313
2NWU7340168813
3Tuks74121510513
4UFS732299011
5NMMU73131212010
6UWC7232111109
7UL7034616-103
8UCT7025622-162
The top 4 teams qualified for the Semi-Finals.

Points breakdown:
*3 points for a win
*1 point for a draw

Format

The tournament begins with a round robin stage, in which all teams play each other once. After the round robin stage, the top 4 teams will advance to the knock-out stage. The teams ranked 1 and 2 will host the semi-finals, against the teams ranked 4 and 3 respectively. The winners will advance to the final, to be hosted by the highest ranking finalist. All matches are played on Mondays. The league scoring system follows a standard scoring system and awards 3 points are awarded for a win, and 1 point for a draw. Teams are separated first on points, and then on goal difference.

Round robin stage

The 2014 season began with the round robin stages on 21 July, which will end on 1 September.

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Knockout stage

The top four placed men's teams progressed to the knockout stage, as did all four women's teams. The semi-finals for both men and women were played on 8 September and the finals on 15 September.

Men's tournament

Semi-finals

Final

Women's tournament

Semi-finals

Final

Notable Players and Coaches

Players and coaches who have since been signed by professional clubs.

Sponsors

The tournament is sponsored by:

References

  1. "Football to get Varsity passion". Varsity Sports SA. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  2. "More sporting codes to boost varsity sports". SABC. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  3. "Minutes of the USSA Football Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the University of the Western Cape, Bellville, on 06th– December – 2013" (PDF). University Sport South Africa. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  4. "Explosive Mondays back with Varsity Football". Varsity Sports SA. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  5. "Ladies’ chance to shine". Varsity Sports SA. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.

External links

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