For the large majority of the students of York St John and Sunderland universities, the Clash of the Minsters varsity is one single day of sporting battles, rivalry and celebration.

For Donna Smith, it is three months of preparation, stress and hard work.

That is because Donna is the head of the Student Union at York St John and in charge of ensuring a day that includes 16 sporting events at eight different venues, watched by hundreds of students, runs smoothly.

“All the stress comes before,” says Donna. “The day is actually the easy bit. It works like clockwork.”

In the months leading up to the big day, Donna has to understand and plan the logistics of bringing two universities’ entire sports teams together, something that can involve transport, venue availability and safety.

“Seeing how many students en mass are involved in varsity and how passionate they are is my favourite part” she comments, reflecting on her highlight of the day, even if she is stuck in the office all day and not on the sidelines cheering on the YSJ teams.

Even though the event is a long day – 12 hours, the sun was out for all of it, a good atmosphere in the air.

“The weather today is the best for varsity. Last year there was snow in the afternoon so quite memorable.” Donna added.

Sunderland edge out York

The varsity consists of 16 events played out across York. Points are awarded for wins and draws and are gathered at the end to decide the champion.

York had won all their previous home varsities and today claimed victories in football, rowing and tennis.

But Sunderland hit back in hockey and American football.

The competition went down to the final sport, women’s Futsal, which Sunderland – that has a England international within their ranks – won comfortably to seal the title of Clash of the Minsters Winner 2026.