HISA's UHI Varsity 2025 brought students from across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, and Perthshire to Inverness for a full-throttle day of sport, teamwork, and all-round good times.
The energy was off the charts, the competition was fierce, and the vibes? Immaculate. UHI Varsity 2025 brought students from across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, and Perthshire to Inverness for a full-throttle day of sport, teamwork, and all-round good times.
Hosted by the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) on Tuesday 1 April at Inverness Leisure, this was the second-ever UHI Varsity—and it definitely leveled up. With help from the brilliant Active Campus Coordinators, students showed up ready to represent their campuses, make new mates, and maybe even bag a trophy or two.
The tournament featured three UHI powerhouses—Perth, Moray, and Inverness—going head-to-head in football, volleyball, and basketball. And yeah, it got competitive.
“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!” — Lewis McMillan, president of the volleyball club at UHI Perth
UHI Inverness brought the heat this year, clinching the overall Varsity Cup with standout performances in both football and basketball. One of the biggest nail-biters of the day? A football final showdown between Inverness and Perth that ended in dramatic penalties.
Meanwhile, UHI Perth spiked their way to victory in volleyball, walking away with that trophy.
“I very much enjoyed the UHI Varsity event. It was a great atmosphere and a good opportunity for our student basketball team to play against and meet other UHI students. I think these events are very important in getting students active, networking and socialising in a positive environment.”
— Zeke Ferdinand Balanquit, president of the basketball team at UHI Inverness
But Varsity isn’t just about trophies—it’s about connection.
“Varsity is more than just a competition — it’s a way of strengthening the UHI 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."
It all started back in February 2024, when five sports enthusiasts—Amanda Fleet, Iain Morrison, Jack Whyte, Lindsey Brown, and Jed McKernie—jumped on a video call with one goal: make Varsity happen. Fast forward to now, and their dream is a highlight on the UHI calendar.
With over 70 students getting stuck in and serious support from HISA, UHI, and Active Campus teams, Varsity is quickly becoming a can’t-miss tradition—one that brings a far-flung student community together through the universal language of sport.
And guess what? Planning for Varsity 2026 is already underway. Next year’s tournament is set to return to Inverness, and it’s gearing up to be even bigger, better, and bolder.
Want to get involved or sponsor a team? Slide into our inbox: HISAActivities@uhi.ac.uk