#Varsity

Meet the Varsity Captains: Joel Charlton, Rugby League

Varsity, the major annual sports event between the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett, is returning from 27 April  – 4 May after two years off. The high-energy week will see over 60 fixtures across 25 sports, and involving more than 1,400 student competitors.

In the lead-up, we’re speaking to some of the team captains about their sport, players to watch, and how they’re feeling in the run up to this major event. Next up is Joel Charlton, Data Science and Analytics Masters Student and Captain of Men’s Rugby League 1st team.

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Can you tell us a little bit about your sport?

Rugby League is a brilliant sport that is extremely inclusive. The sport is always wanting to grow and new comers are always welcome. The sport is a mixture of mental and physical toughness and one I would recommend to anyone. For me it is by far the best sport in the world and nothing can compare to it.

Why is Rugby League the sport for you, and how did you get into it?

Rugby League is all I have ever known. Going to Bradford Bulls games as a kid and playing my first game as an 8 year old are my earliest memories of being involved with the sport. I love the atmosphere around the game and the adrenaline that kicks in when walking out onto the pitch is something that I love to feel. The fact that everyone in the team is your mate too makes the game even better.

What does Varsity mean to you?

In the Rugby League society we see Varsity as the biggest game of the year. Especially this year with the match returning to Headingley Stadium. I believe our rivalry with Beckett is unmatched. As we beat them for the first time in 18 years this year they will be looking for revenge, but we want to inflict the pain on them that they have to us for so many years. Varsity is the best part of the sporting calendar in rugby league.

How are you and the team feeling about the game?

The vibe around the team is great at the minute. Everyone is excited to get back on the pitch after a pretty long layoff with the BUCS season ending. For a lot of the lads it will be their last game at uni, things like that are what inspires us even more to win Varsity this year. We are feeling very confident going into the fixture.

Who’s the one to watch on your team?

The one to watch for us has got to be the little man Joe Riley. Blink and you’ll miss him. He has been brilliant for us this year and as a reward he has been selected for the England squad which is a great achievement and one he thoroughly deserves.

And how will you be preparing for the game?

We have still been training over the Easter break and for those in the squad who are not in Leeds they have been putting in the work away from the training ground. Everyone is doing their bit to ensure we come away with the win this year.