Photo opportunity of the two captains and an Epic representative at The Ministry Nightclub on Tuesday 16th March at 3.30pm.
This year’s Granite City Challenge (Wednesday, March 24) promises to be the most exciting ever with over 1,000 students from the University of Aberdeen and The Robert Gordon University battling it out in over twenty sporting events across Aberdeen and beyond.
This will be the 8th year that Aberdeen’s sporting student community will compete against each other in events as diverse as Gaelic football, shinty, fencing and boxing to win the ultimate title and trophy for Best Sportsman and Best Sportswoman at the annual event.
Louise Watt, Vice President Sport University of Aberdeen said: “The Granite City Challenge is a great day of sport for students at both Universities. While we compete against other Universities all through the year, there is nothing better than beating those just around the corner. It is great to see so many sports taking part and I am sure there will be some close battles. Aberdeen University has never lost the Granite City Challenge and I don't want to be the first sports President to do so. Losing just isn't an option, University and city pride is at stake.”
Ben Glasgow, RGU Sport President said, “Historically the University of Aberdeen has had the upper hand in the event, but we hope to give them a good run for their money this year, and even if we don't win the event it'd be nice to give them a fright in the process.
“I think that the event serves both Universities well - student sport is one of the best mediums by which students at different Universities interact, and to have an event of this scale in Aberdeen - a 'student city' - is dually-helpful in strengthening ties between our two institutions and reinforcing friendly rivalries at club-level.”
The Granite City Challenge was developed as a way of fostering and encouraging healthy competition between Aberdeen’s two universities. This ‘battle of the fittest’ first took place in 1997 with 20 teams from each university taking part. Since then, it has grown from strength to strength. This year’s event will see 1,200 contestants taking part in 22 different competitions across the city including Gaelic football, golf and shinty at Hazelhead, men’s and women’s hockey at Keith Park, fencing and boxing at Buchart and swimming and water polo at Kings.
‘Kick-off’ is at 1 p.m., with at least 3 different competitions starting simultaneously at various locations in Aberdeen. An interesting addition to this year’s list of events is the Staff Golfing Challenge. 6 members of staff from each university are expected to take part in the event that is sure to bring out the competitive spirit in them.
A prize giving ceremony will be held at 7.30 p.m., at the MacRobert Hall in Schoolhill. This sporting event will then be concluded on Wednesday with a party at The Ministry with lots of special offers on drinks, this party is a sure-fire ‘hit’ with many.
The event’s main sponsor Epic Group, who own both Paramount Bar and The Ministry Nightclub, will provide t-shirts for the events, the trophies and discounted drinks at the celebrations on the Friday 26th March. Other sponsors include Nestle and Robert Wiseman Dairies.
This is a real Granite City event and everyone is encouraged to come along to any of the events and support our student population.