The Varsity Cup’s new mascot, ‘Prof’, will allow players, coaches and supporters to focus on another important aspect of this tournament – academics.
Given his looks, that of a typical university professor, the name ‘Prof’ suits the new mascot who will be present at all matches in the 2011 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
‘Prof’ will not take the place of the regular team mascots, so all eight Varsity Cup team mascots – the likes of Pokkel (Maties), the Ikey Tiger, the TUT Viking, etc – will be teaming up with ‘Prof’ at all 31 matches in 2011.
Aside from its ‘Rugby that Rocks’ mantra, not to mention the huge element of fun that is associated with all of the Varsity Cup’s die-hard supporters, academics have always been a major focus of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
The addition of ‘Prof’ to the Varsity Cup team is another step in the right direction in terms of pushing academics to the fore, whilst the tournament organisers have also stressed the importance of players not missing any extra lectures due to playing commitments.
Of course, this all comes after the Varsity Cup regulations were tweaked slightly ahead of 2011; forcing all universities to up their student ‘quotas’ this year – meaning all teams have to select a minimum of 15 bona fide students (from their own universities) in their 23-man matchday squads.
With matches taking place on Monday evenings during February, March and April, one could be excused for thinking that players would have to miss some lectures – especially in the case of traveling to away games, but players will start their return travels a lot earlier on Tuesday mornings.
All return flights will be leaving at 6am, giving players even more time to return to their universities – from away game – in time for Tuesday-morning lectures.
Varsity Cup MD Duitser Bosman explained the rationale behind those early-morning flights: “Our intention has never been to get in the way of academics – far from it, in fact!
“Players will now be returning at 6am on Tuesdays – all of which is intended to minimise any chance of their rugby cutting into their academic time.
“A balanced schedule is what it’s all about… this is just one way of allowing the players to achieve that balance in their lives in what is a busy time for everyone.”
Aside from the usual pitch-side fun, the 2011 Varsity Cup has a new on-field concept which is set to energise the tournament even more – the Rugby that Rocks Time which will occur after each ‘Strategy Break’ (the old-fashioned water breaks – of which there are two) during each match.
During this three-minute Rugby that Rocks session, the regular match ball will be swapped with a specially-designed signature pink rugby ball, with the music and atmosphere at the hosts’ ground set to be ramped up in a bid to get the home crowd fired up to spur their players on to achieve that something special.
And, that something special is hopefully a try – with the fans, themselves, set to benefit should their home side score during this Rugby that Rocks time. If the home scores within that three-minute session, fans – provided they are dressed in their supporters kit! – can claim a free Carling Black Label when ordering a meal at their local participating Spur Steak Ranch the following day.
“Our thinking is simply to involve the crowds a bit more during the Rugby that Rocks segment,” explained Varsity Cup MD Duitser Bosman.
“The crowds, over the past three years, have been brilliant – we’re hoping this Rugby that Rocks time will give them even more of an opportunity to get involved and spur the teams on to ‘go for it’.
“All the universities have bought into the Rugby that Rocks time and we believe it will be yet another fun concept as the Varsity Cup continues to set trends as the most exciting rugby tournament around – both on and off the field.”
The 2011 Varsity Cup kicks-off on Monday, February 7 – Rugby that Rocks!
One of the new matchday features of the 2011 Varsity Cup will be a treat to the fame hungry supporters – each VC University will get their very own big screen. And by big, we mean mega big.
The system will allow a camera crew to be part of the action in the stands and it will of course also provide the opportunity to show re-plays of tries and will bring you the mega view of all the rugby that rocks. Plenty to look forward to! Get your facepaint ready and your university’s colours out.
These fantastic big screens will bolster the crowds’ ‘in-stadium’ experience, and will no doubt help with crowd interaction at all matches in 2011.
Fans are always encouraged to get behind their teams and we will now get behind the best supporters – all of whom will have a chance to feature on the big screen as they ‘Back their Boytjies’ in the Varsity Cup!
Ek lyk glad nie so nie.
Hou duim vas dat my geliefde Ikeys die ding hierdie jaar gaan doen!
ek weet,
ek weet prof
.. jy dra ñ swart strik dassie!! 😀
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