Colour Studios returns as Anniversary Game sponsor as Bath take on Exeter at The Rec
A classic South West derby provides extra spice for the 2025 Anniversary Game as the University of Bath’s annual student rugby showpiece returns to The Rec.
The men’s 1st XV will take on their Exeter counterparts at the city-centre home of Premiership champions Bath Rugby on Wednesday 15th October (kick-off 6.30pm) in a big BUCS Super Rugby match that is once again sponsored by Colour Studios.
A 7,000-strong crowd enjoyed a thrilling 31-31 draw with Hartpury at last year’s Anniversary Game and organisers at The SU Bath are expecting the biggest turnout yet this time round.
Fly-half Will Roue, a third-year Sociology student, kicked four conversions and a penalty during the 2024 fixture and said: “It was unlike anything I have ever experienced. We had so many people behind us that night and the crowd was electric.
“I’m really excited for this year’s match. It’s always a big game against Exeter but especially on a stage like The Rec. Hopefully we can get out there and play some good rugby in front of another big crowd.”
Returning as Anniversary Game sponsors for a third successive year is Colour Studios. Based in nearby Radstock and operating nationwide, the company provides exhibition, event and display solutions with a strong focus on sustainability and the use of planet-conscious materials.
It is part of the Dragon Group and Director Rowan Freeman, who has specific responsibility for Colour Studios, said: “It’s great to be back at this iconic ground and we’re looking forward to supporting the team again. We love building, year on year, the relationship between the University of Bath and Colour Studios.
“There was a great atmosphere last year and the game itself was incredible. That’s why we keep coming back, because it is such a great occasion to be a part of – the noise, the support, the celebrations and the standard of rugby.”
The Anniversary Game, first staged in 2016, is firmly established as the University’s city-centre celebration of student sport with nearly 20,000 spectators – students, staff, alumni, partners, sponsors and members of the local community – enjoying three fantastic fixtures, averaging 53 points a game, since the event’s post-Covid return in 2022.
Angus Gueterbock, The SU Bath Sport Officer, said: “I was at the match last year and it was so much fun. It was raining cats and dogs but we had people from all across the university coming to watch and the atmosphere was electric.
“We’re hoping this is going to be the biggest Anniversary Game yet and we want to get as many spectators down here as possible to watch our boys. It doesn’t matter if you are sporty or not, this is a chance to join the University community, enjoy the atmosphere and be part of a memorable occasion.”
The Anniversary Game is staged annually to mark the University of Bath being granted its Royal Charter on 25th October 1966.
For more information about Colour Studios, visit www.colourstudios.co.uk.
To find out more about the University of Bath’s BUCS Super Rugby programme, visit rugby.teambath.com.
Pictured top: (From left) Evan Jones, Will Roue, Angus Gueterbock (The SU Bath Sport Officer), Rowan Freeman (Director, Colour Studios), Aaron James (Head of Rugby, University of Bath), Jacob Yates and Iwan Coyle.
