Staff Varsity aims to engage staff in a fun and competitive sporting environment, providing a great opportunity to showcase and strengthen the University of Kent staff community. The tournament welcomes participants of all abilities, with no prior experience or expertise in a sport required. Spectators, whether colleagues, friends, or family members, are also encouraged to come along and support the events. Staff Varsity is organised by the University’s Sports Development team in collaboration with Canterbury Christchurch’s Active Health team. Following on from the success of the first Canterbury Staff Varsity last year, this year’s tournament once again delivered a fun, social, and inclusive week of sport. Find out what happened in Staff Varsity 2025 below!
Boccia- Tuesday 10th June:
Boccia made its debut as the fun and competitive opening event of Staff Varsity 2025. Boccia is a Paralympic, precision ball sport, similar to bowls, where players aim to get their balls closest to a target ball called the jack. Both the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church entered four pairs each, as the opening round of matches saw the two teams neck and neck with each other. Over the course of the evening, the matches were filled with drama, and tense moments where a measuring tape was used to determine close calls. Canterbury Christ Church came out on top with a 30–18 victory ensuring they took the lead 1-0 in the series. Overall, it was a fantastic way to begin Staff Varsity 2025 and it was great to see all the games played in a friendly and supportive spirit. Boccia will be back for 2026!
Cricket- Wednesday 11th June:
Next up was cricket! Held at the impressive Polo Farm setup, it was the perfect venue for a sunny evening of T20 cricket and friendly rivalry. It was great to see some new faces involved for both sides, with the University of Kent looking to defend their title from last year against Canterbury Christ Church. Fresh from their weekly ALL Active Cricket sessions, the Kent team came in well-prepared. After losing the toss, Kent were put into bat and got off to a quick start through Greg, who displayed his impressive range of shots. David played a steady anchor role before accelerating later. Lee added a strong innings with some powerful boundary hitting, supported by cameos from Matt, Callum, James, and Zarak. Kent ended the 20 overs having posted a competitive 166/6. CCCU started their chase strongly, but a key breakthrough from Alan D and a superb spell from Zarak in the middle overs shifted momentum. Despite CCCU looking in control at one stage, tight bowling from David and Greg sealed a narrow 5-run win for Kent. Adil and Zarak were named Players of the Match. Adil for his excellent opening bowling spell and handy runs, and Zarak for his game-changing bowling in the middle overs. It was also fantastic to see players from 10 different departments come together to represent Kent.
Pickleball- Thursday 12th June:
Down at Canterbury Christ Church Sports Centre, the Pickleball event saw Kent aiming for revenge after securing just one win in last year’s Staff Varsity Pickleball. The competition was split into two groups of eight. One for more experienced players and another for those newer to the game or looking for a more social match. The opening rounds were closely contested, with some brilliant rallies and impressive shots on display from both sides. In the end, Canterbury Christ Church took the overall win. It was especially encouraging to see that half of Kent’s players were new to the event this year, showing just how much interest in pickleball continues to grow. Amanda and Erin were awarded Canterbury Christchurch’s player of the matches for winning all their games, whilst some impressive shots from Francis and Chris saw them win the accolade for University of Kent. The victory for Canterbury Christchurch saw them take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Rounders- Friday 13th June:
In the Friday finale, the introduction of rounders saw another new addition to Staff Varsity. Under blazing 29-degree heat, the match saw great participation with Kent fielding 15 players in a social and friendly atmosphere. Each team had two innings. Kent scored 16 in the first, while Christchurch responded with 24. Kent fought back impressively with 19 in their second innings, but strong batting and quick fielding from Christchurch kept them ahead. Player of the Match honours went to Daisy for Canterbury Christ Church, who delivered an all-round solid performance including an incredible catch and stumping. Bruce earned the award for Kent with his reliable batting, sharp fielding, and stepping up as a runner for a teammate. With this win, Christchurch secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
Football- Friday 13th June:
Last year’s match ended 1-1, with Kent clinching victory on penalties, setting the stage for another intense showdown. Both teams brought large squads and strong numbers, making for a highly competitive game. Christchurch controlled more of the ball in the first half and took a 1-0 lead, but Kent fought back with Warren equalising before Aaron put them ahead. Kent then battled hard to protect their lead, while Christchurch pushed forward in search of an equaliser. The atmosphere was electric, with supporters from both sides cheering their team on. Matt earned Player of the Match for Kent with a confident performance in goal, while Ross’s tireless midfield display won him the award for Christchurch. Despite Kent’s fightback, Christchurch secured the series 3-2.
BBQ, Social and Awards:
Staff Varsity 2025 wrapped up on Friday evening following the final rounders and football matches, with a relaxed and social gathering to celebrate the week. Staff came together at the Sports Pavilion to enjoy a BBQ, garden games, and a seating area perfect for socialising after a busy few days of competition. The awards and social event recognised standout performances and the brilliant spirit shown throughout the week. Vice-Chancellor Georgina Randsley de Moura joined the celebrations and said a few words, highlighting the importance of events like this for the staff community. Staff Varsity is just the one of the sporting opportunities on offer for staff at Kent, with the Vice-Chancellor’s Cup and the ALL Active programme providing regular chances for staff to get involved in sport and activity throughout the year.
If you are interested in competing in Staff Varsity 2026, please fill out the expression of interest form.