Imperial signs three-year deal with new Varsity venue

An agreement signed this week sees the Twickenham Stoop Stadium, home to the Harlequins Rugby Club, hosting the JPR Williams Rugby Varsity Match for the next three years.

An agreement signed this week sees the Twickenham Stoop Stadium, home to the Harlequins Rugby Club, hosting the JPR Williams Rugby Varsity Match for the next three years.

The Stoop stadium is located literally opposite the national Twickenham Stadium, England's rugby home. The Stoop with its 12,700 capacity has been home to the Harlequins since 1963 and is named after Adrian Dura Stoop, who won 15 caps for England and is said to have been the person who developed modern play back. As well as ample grandstand seating, the venue offers all the high standard facilities expected of a professional rugby club.

The AVIVA Premiership club have won the Rugby Football Union Clubs knockouts competition on two occasions in 1988 and in 1991 and played in the finals of 1992, 1993 and 2001. Quins also became the first British side to win the European Shield in 2001.

The JPR William Rugby Varsity match which will be played for the ninth time in 2011, is named after Imperial alumnus and Welsh Rugby legend JPR Williams and is an annual battle between Imperial College RFC and Imperial Medicals RFC. The Medicals have held on to the coveted trophy since the first match was played in 2003 whilst the Imperial College side will be looking to make their mark on the competition's history.

This evening match is the finale of a full Varsity day with Imperial and Medicals' sides battling over different sports throughout the day in Ethos and Wilson House and at Harlington Sports Ground. Whilst the Medicals have always dominated the rugby fixtures, Imperial College have managed to take the overall competition victory for the last three years. The new deal will see the Stoop hosting matches in 2012 and 2013 and will start with the Varsity match on Wednesday 16 March 2011.

The teams are delighted to be playing at a venue situated in the centre of rugby excellence. Neil Mosley, Head of Sport Imperial said: "Varsity has become the most anticipated event of the Imperial sporting calendar. The quality of the play and the interest it generates from students, staff, alumni and corporate spectators deserves a reputable and professional hosting venue with excellent facilities and the Stoop certainly delivers on these fronts. We are bowled over by the opportunity to use the venue for the next three years and are convinced that this will result in even more interest in the event."

More information on Varsity 2011 will be available soon.