The Varsity Series, or the Charity Varsity Series, comprises a number of sports events pitching Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham against each other in a university rivalry. It has been organised for the benefit of charity since 2004. The university that wins the most events is declared winner. One point and half a point are awarded for winning and drawing an event, respectively. The two institutions are based in Nottingham in the United Kingdom and the rivalry is contested in a variety of sports, although ice hockey is seen as the premier event and is the second most attended university ice hockey match outside of North America, selling out the 7,500-seat National Ice Centre since 2009. The winner takes home the Varsity Trophy, which they hold until the conclusion of the following year's series. The University of Nottingham currently leads Nottingham Trent in total series wins by 8-4 since 2004, one series has been drawn, in 2011. The University of Nottingham has won the last 5 series. Format The two universities compete against each other in fifteen events across eleven sports. The winner of an event wins a point and both teams earn half a point in the event of a draw. The hosting of the rugby league, netball, basketball and cricket alternates from year to year and the remaining events are held at fixed venues. The table below lists all the events that have been contested in the Varsity Series, the year in which they were first contested and the number of times they have been contested until 2014 inclusive. Penalty shoot-out wins are not counted as draws. Charities Since 2004, ticket sales from the Varsity Series have been used to raise money for charitable organisations. Below is a list of those supported: 2004: Children's Centre –- Nottingham City Hospital 2005: The Asian Tsunami Appeal 2006: The Danielle Beccan Memorial Trust 2007: CP Sport 2008: Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind 2009: Balls to Poverty 2010: CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) 2011: PASIC (Parents Association for Seriously Ill Children) 2012: CP Sport 2013: Headway 2014: DKH Legacy Trust Rivalry beyond the Varsity Series Academic There is a lively academic rivalry between the universities, with Nottingham Trent University competing with and even overtaking its Russell Group neighbour the University of Nottingham in recent league tables. Nottingham Trent University has its origins in the Nottingham Government School