Sport Hall of Fame 2025
On Thursday 30 October, we hosted our second Sport Hall of Fame event, where we welcomed another cohort of outstanding Gamechangers, Coaches and Performance Practitioners, and Sportspeople.
The Sport Hall of Fame helped us honour our second group of UoB-affiliated individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the University’s proud sporting legacy, as well as to sport on both national and international stages, in front of an audience of alumni, staff, and guests.
Marking the University’s 125 anniversary, this year was another important milestone to recognise its continual support in developing sporting participation, performance, and expertise. This year’s Sport Hall of Fame continues to celebrate all of those who have been influential in obtaining these successes.
Returning to the spotlight, 2023 inductee, Hannah England, honoured tradition and welcomed this year’s cohort into the fold.
Game Changers
Our Gamechangers category celebrates those who have made a significant sporting contribution through their role. This includes academics, leaders, administrators, volunteers, broadcasters, officials, and other remarkable individuals.
- David Gill CBE
- Martin Slumbers
- Mel Bound
- Zena Wooldridge OBE
“I always love coming back here, I’ve been back here a few times. I met my wife here, so a lot of affection for me, and I think it’s a very big honour, I am glad to be inducted in the Sport Hall of Fame,” – David Gill CBE, Vice President and Treasurer of UEFA
“Well, I always love being back in the University of Birmingham because it really is my spiritual home, and it’s wonderful to be here and to be recognised and to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is a real privilege,” – Zena Wooldridge OBE, President of the World Squash Federation
Coaches and Performance Practitioners
Coaches and Practitioners provide bespoke support and influence athletes’ performance towards success at the highest level in their sport.
- Dr Jennifer Savage
- Joan Duda
- Simon Nathan
“Really surprised, actually, to get inducted, very much a behind-the-scenes person, so the spotlight on me was a bit of a surprise. But it’s lovely, this is where it all started, it’s where it gave me my first insight into being a sport psychologist and I got to work with some amazing athletes,” – Dr Jennifer Savage, Head of People Performance and Culture for British Athletics
Sportspeople
Our Sportspeople category awards those that have evidenced success at the pinnacle of their sport. This may be an Olympic, Paralympic or World Championships’ medal, or a significant period of sustained excellence at the highest level of competition.
- Anna Henderson
- Annie Caddick
- Didi Okah
- Fran Williams
- Georgia Hunter-Bell
- Hannah Kelly
- Izzy Christiansen
- Josh O’Brien
- Laura Sugar
- Megan Richter
“It’s a huge honour to be back here, I haven’t been back here in a few years since I graduated so it’s really special to be back here and to see how the sport programme is changing, especially the scholarship programme, which made such a huge difference to me when I was at University, so it’s really special to be back and a huge honour,” – Anna Henderson, Professional Road Cyclist and Olympic Silver medallist.
What an incredible evening celebrating another fantastic group of individuals! We’re so proud of their achievements, their legacies, and the exceptional standards they continue to set!
“I feel prouder than ever to be the Director of Sport of an institution that has contributed in so many ways to sport. It was a truly inspiring evening!” – Andy Allford (Director of Sport)
Photo credits: Nikhil Shah
To read more about our amazing inductees, their stories and successes, follow the link below to the Sport Hall of Fame 2025.
