Oxfam Varsity Cricket matches - Hitting poverty for six

Following the awesome nights of Rugby, the sedate world of cricket is about to be Varsified. Six matches with a wide variety of locations from county grounds, big hand to Somerset and Gloucestershire, to famous 'out grounds' St Helens and The Saffrons, one thing is for sure this is going to be the outdoor summer party to end them all. Outdoor disco's, swimming pools, BBQ's fancy dress and a bit of cricket in the middle of it all, does represent an awesome opportunity to say goodbye to University life with a big day out!

So be sensible, have a great time and leave yourself and the ground in one piece as we invite you to get on down to the following:

WHY VARSITY CRICKET?

We've had four years of winter rugby, which have seen students across the UK raise over £100,000 for Oxfam. It's been a roller-coaster ride, which has seen great advances made in student sport. Despite the many pitfalls, the ego's, the politics www.oxfam.org.uk/rugby/ tells an impressive tale about what can be done with Student Sport. Awesome occasions abound.

Can a University rise above itself to support what many consider to be a sport on its last legs? Student cricket is stuffed annually by educational demands. The chance to play on a big stage has been offered. The chance for cricket to let its hair down and entertain a young audience that can actually decide for itself to buy tickets, instead of asking their parents, is also offered.

WHY OXFAM?

Since November 1996 Oxfam have been working with Universities to help promote the charities work and in the process have helped create some impressive showpiece occasions for student sport. This work has been extended to the cricket field and also the rugby fields of New Zealand.

The Oxfam Varsity Cricket Matches were instigated as a response to the disaster in Mozambique, the funds raised will be going towards the rehabilitation of the flood hit country. Its not all about reacting to disasters, Oxfam is about helping people working towards a better life. A new Millennium brings new challenges. Whether in Education, where 125 million children don't see the inside of a classroom or in trade where Oxfam campaign for greater distribution of the selling price direct to the producer, the charity relies on the support of people to help make a difference.