Sports Awards 2026 wrapped
Students and staff across UoB sport came together for an amazing evening of celebrating achievements at the… Sports Awards 2026!
Andy Allford, Director of Sport, started off the celebrations, with Amy Preston, Club Development Manager, and Abhijeet Patel, Sports Officer, hosting.
We had 14 amazing award categories this year, recognizing the many achievements of our athletes, clubs, and coaches. Continue reading to find out who took the trophies home!
But before we go into the winners of the evening, we wanted to make a special mention to both Mark Moss (former Head of Hockey) and Luke Gunn (former Head of Student Sport), who have helped to shape the Sport environment here at the University of Birmingham, and have had a lasting impact on our student and alumni.
SPORTS COLOURS
Presented by Metallurgy and Materials Professor of Casting Technology Paul Withey.
Sport colours are non-performance-based and awarded to individuals based on a member’s contribution extending beyond their established role for their club or for sport across the University.
Well done to:
Becky Stacey (Archery), Edward McDonald (Archery), Sheun Shoyebi (American Football), Lucie Thouvenin (Gymnastics), Emily Miskell (Hockey), George Heard (Hockey), Gustav Jonsson (Handball), Will Price (Men’s Rugby Union), Archie Hitchcock (Ultimate Frisbee)!
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Chief Financial Officer Erica Conway.
This Award recognises individuals who have committed themselves to a cause, activity, or event for the greater good of their club, University, or wider community.
The winner of the award is… Caitlin Costello.
Caitlin has made an exceptional contribution to the Triathlon Club through her leadership, initiative and commitment to create inclusive opportunities within the sport. She dedicated months of work to deliver the club’s biggest ever event, welcoming universities from across the country and establishing a new partnership with local charity Sport4Life, helping raise over £400 to support young girls and boys into employment through sport. She also helped attract many first time racers and made the event more accessible, consistently going above and beyond to support the wider community, regularly volunteering her time to help others.
ED&I AWARD
Presented by Registrar, Secretary, and Chief Operating Officer, Nicola Owen.
This Award recognises Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED& I) within sport, acknowledging students who are championing inclusion in sport.
And the winner is… Archery!
Archery has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion through a range of initiatives designed to improve accessibility, wellbeing and support across the club. Through strategic investment in adaptive equipment funded by the Alumni Impact Fund, the club has enhanced opportunities for disabled participants and created a more accessible environment for all. Alongside this, the introduction of Athlete Assistance Programmes, wellbeing and committee forum cafés, anonymous feedback channels and a family scheme helped foster a supportive and inclusive culture. Collectively, these initiatives reflect a proactive and thoughtful approach to creating a welcoming community and ensuring all members can thrive within the club.
CAMPUS LEAGUE TEAM
Presented by Participation Development Manager Helen Coy.
The Campus League Team of the Year award aims to recognise and celebrate the teams that best embody the Campus League ethos of participation, good sportsmanship and enjoyment of the game.
The winner is… Charlton Unathletic.
Charlton Unathletic have made an outstanding contribution to Campus League football through their strong community engagement, positive social impact and commitment to building connections beyond the pitch. They delivered multiple campaigns raising awareness around mental health and knife crime, using football as a platform to promote important conversations and support the student community. Alongside this, they have organised several friendlies across Birmingham and beyond, helping strengthen relationships and collaboration through sport. Their growing social media presence has further increased the visibility and popularity of the club, creating a strong sense of identity and engagement that has even inspired trips to support the real Charlton Athletic.
REGIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by Director of Accommodation and Operations Einita Suman.
The Regional Team of the Year award aims to celebrate the achievements of some of our stand-out University teams that compete on a regional level within BUCS.
Huge congratulations to Women’s Volleyball 1 who became BUCS Tier 2 Women’s Volleyball 2A winners, whilst also lifting the BUCS Midlands Women’s Conference Cup trophy!
We then moved on to…
CLUB OF THE YEAR
Presented by Head of Medical and Dental Sciences, Neil Hanley.
This award is based on the overall success of a club across several areas. This can include – but is not limited to – committee and/or performance achievements, developments and innovation within the club, member engagement and connection with the wider sporting community both in- and external to the university.
Congratulations to Boxing who have won this title!
Boxing has continued to demonstrate excellence across performance, inclusivity and community impact throughout the year.
The club successfully hosted Knockout for the third consecutive year, providing high quality competitive opportunities for members of all abilities, while also achieving strong competitive success with four BUCS representatives and two gold medallists. They have made significant progress in growing female participation and expanded its impact further by hosting Counterpunch, becoming the first University to stage England and Wales Senior Amateur bouts on campus. Alongside this, all profits from Knockout and Counterpunch were donated to Pat Benson’s Community Sports Foundation, while regular wellbeing check ins and investment into athlete safety and training facilities have helped foster a supportive, inclusive and high performing environment.
PLACEMENT STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by Head of School of Sport Exercise and Science, Gareth Wallis.
This award recognises a student who has made an outstanding impact during their placement, celebrating those who have shown initiative, commitment, and the ability to make a meaningful difference both within their organisation and as proud representatives of the University.
Congratulations to Nathan Thompson, who has been crowned placement student of the year.
Nathan’s outstanding work within Men’s Rugby Union, demonstrated exceptional professionalism, reliability and dedication across all aspects of performance support. From leading warmups, testing and player preparation to delivering live match analysis and detailed season reviews, he has played a vital role in enhancing the team’s performance environment. His willingness to consistently go above and beyond, including travelling extensively to support the programme and assisting with wider operational needs, has made him an invaluable member of the team.
HALF BLUES
Presented by Head of Student Sport, Ian Pollock.
Half Blues are awarded to those who have achieved either a BUCS individual medal or a BUCS Team Championship gold medal during the 2024-25 academic year.
Well done to Amy Grassom, Amy Hughes, Ben Wall, Caitlin Witham, Jack Stamp, and Tilly Woodhead from Hockey, and Eve Abbott, Ffion Evans, and Tori Akinrinola from Netball!
FULL BLUES
Presented by Head of Student Sport, Ian Pollock.
Full Blues are awarded to those individuals that have competed internationally at a senior championships. This is the highest individual accolade for performance sport that is given out at Sports Awards.
Congratulations to Amelie Russell (Fencing), Maisie Everett (Fencing), Carter Ayars (Hockey), and Evelyn Clarke (Women’s Rugby Union)!
STUDENT COACH OF THE YEAR
Presented by Former Director of Sport and Current President of World Squash, Zena Wooldridge.
This award aims to recognise current students who are regarded as having made the most outstanding contribution to club sport through their role as a coach, working closely with their club committee to direct the development of the club and support members’ personal and performance development.
Congratulations to Gustav Jonsson (Handball) who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership across the entire Handball programme, coaching all four BUCS teams while also competing for the Men’s 1st team. Through well-structured and inclusive coaching sessions, additional development opportunities with local clubs, and consistent support for players of all abilities, he has played a transformative role in the growth and success of the club. His communication, professionalism and dedication to creating a welcoming environment have had a lasting impact on both performance and club culture.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Presented by Director of Education for LES, Matt Bridge.
The Coach of the Year award is for an individual who is regarded as having made the most outstanding contribution to club sport through their role as a coach.
Huge congratulations to John Price (Trampolining)!
John has made a remarkable and lasting contribution to Trampolining through his unwavering dedication, inclusive coaching style and genuine care for every athlete within the club. At 79 years old, he continues to attend the vast majority of training sessions and competitions, supporting gymnasts of all abilities with exceptional enthusiasm and expertise. His athlete centred approach, combined with his positivity, adaptability and commitment to both performance and wellbeing, has played a central role in one of the club’s most successful seasons.
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by Steve Hawkins.
The National Team of the Year award aims to recognise and highlight the stand-out successes of a select number of our University teams that compete on a national level within BUCS.
Well done to Squash Womens 1’s who have won the title of National Team of the Year!
Squash W1’s enjoyed a remarkable year, winning BUCS Squash Stage 1, finishing second in BUCS Squash Stage 2, and culminating the season with a BUCS National Championship Gold medal.
And finally…
SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR
Presented by Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, Deborah Longworth.
This is the highest individual accolade awarded by the University of Birmingham at Sports Awards, in recognition and celebration of the very highest sporting level.
The nominees for this prestigious award were:
Abigail Pawlett, who has delivered exceptional performances across both domestic and international athletics. She successfully defended her British Indoor 60m hurdles title while breaking the Welsh record three times, alongside setting a new Welsh pentathlon record to move 6th on the British all-time list. She has also earned international recognition through selection for the World Indoor Championships, highlighting her status as one of the leading athletes in her field.
Ben Levy has produced an outstanding year of international success, consistently competing at the highest level across elite senior and junior competition. He achieved 5th place at the U21 European Championships, 7th at the U21 World Championships, 5th at the Zagreb Grand Prix and a bronze medal at the Paris Grand Slam. He has also earned selection for the Senior European Championships.
Lottie Bingham has continued to establish herself as one of the brightest young talents in international hockey, becoming the youngest member of the Great Britain and England Senior Women’s team. Since making her senior debut in December 2024, where she scored twice and was named Player of the Match, she has accumulated 37 combined U21 and senior caps, including 16 at senior level. Alongside representing Birmingham 1 XI while studying History, she also helped England secure first place at the World Cup Qualifiers in India, where she was named Young Player of the Tournament.
And the winner is… Ben Levy, securing the title of Sportsperson of the Year! Congratulations to Abigail who secured Bronze, and Lottie Bingham who secured Silver.
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us for an outstanding and unforgettable evening if celebration, and a special thank you to all of our Presenters who helped to make the evening truly memorable.
The Sports Awards are always a reminder of the incredible achievements across the year!
Event photo credits: @imageineering, and Byron Neary.
