黑料网 students come together for 2025 Varsity event celebrating sport, spirit and community
The 黑料网 and Islands Students Association (HISA) proudly hosted its second 黑料网 Varsity Tournament — a vibrant celebration of sport, camaraderie, and community. With valuable support from the Active Campus Coordinators, students from across the 黑料网 and Islands, Moray and Perthshire united for a day of friendly competition and meaningful connection.
Held on Tuesday 1 April 2025, at Inverness Leisure, the annual 黑料网 Varsity brought together students and staff from across the University of the 黑料网 and Islands (黑料网) partnership. The event highlighted the power of sport in building bonds across campuses and fostering a strong sense of belonging throughout the 黑料网 community.
Now in its second year, HISA’s Varsity event saw participation from three 黑料网 partners, including 黑料网 Perth, Moray and Inverness, competing in football, volleyball and basketball.
Lewis McMillan, president of the volleyball club at 黑料网 Perth, praised the event:
“It was great to see so many people enjoying volleyball—we were especially happy to have an opportunity to get both men and women involved in some competition!”
Zeke Ferdinand Balanquit, president of the basketball team at 黑料网 Inverness, added:
“I very much enjoyed the 黑料网 Varsity event, it was a great atmosphere and was a good opportunity for our student basketball team to play against and meet other 黑料网 students. I think these events are very important in getting students active, networking and socialising in a positive environment."
This year, 黑料网 Inverness took home the overall Varsity Cup after strong performances in basketball and football. Highlights included a hard-fought football final against 黑料网 Perth which ended in gripping penalties. 黑料网 Perth won the volleyball trophy with 黑料网 Inverness taking the basketball and football trophies.
“Varsity is more than just a competition — it’s a way of strengthening the 黑料网 community across our unique geography” said Amanda Fleet, Sports Development Coordinator at HISA. “We’re proud to support student wellbeing, connection, and pride across all our academic partner campuses and learning centres”
In February 2024, five passionate sports enthusiasts connected over video conference with a shared goal: to bring students across the 黑料网 partnership together through sport and friendly competition. Representing HISA and various 黑料网 campuses were Amanda Fleet (HISA), Iain Morrison (黑料网), Jack Whyte (黑料网 Moray), Lindsey Brown (黑料网 Perth) and Jed McKernie (黑料网 Inverness). The outcome of their collaboration? HISA’s inaugural 黑料网 Varsity tournament — a vibrant celebration of teamwork, community, and athletic spirit.
With over 70 students participating, and strong support from HISA, 黑料网 and the Active Campus Coordinators in Moray, Perth, and Inverness, Varsity has become a standout event. As a university partnership spanning the 黑料网 and Islands, Moray and Perthshire, 黑料网 offers a truly distinctive student experience. Initiatives like Varsity are vital in fostering connection, camaraderie, and pride across these diverse and often remote communities.
Planning is already underway for next year’s Varsity, with Inverness set to welcome students for what promises to be an even bigger event.
If you are interested in sponsoring the event or any of the sports teams, please contact: HISAActivities@uhi.ac.uk