Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé

The event was a huge success and gave all attendees a chance to reflect on what has been another superb year for our NTU Sport teams and athletes.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kukri for sponsoring the event, and to Life Fitness for sponsoring the Sports Man and Sports Woman of the Year awards. Your support has helped to make this celebration possible.

The award categories, and winners, were as follows:

Outstanding contributions

Awarded to students who have most significantly contributed to the success of their club during their time at NTU. All award winners have been dedicated in upholding the values of Pride, Unity and Respect through the work they have done within their clubs. This includes committee members, volunteers and student coaches that have gone above and beyond the call of duty, making exceptional contributions to the running of their clubs or NTU Sport programmes over the past 2 academic years.

Winners:

• Gabrielle Siddle
• Aaron Rath
• Ed Fearn
• Layla Meghjee
• Ella Maltby
• Elsa Pledge
• Jo Hay
• Lok Hei Chan
• Lilah Wooldridge
• Alice Eveleigh Anderton
• Kate Bellamy
• Beth Pugh
• Cerys Godwin
• Natalie Boden
• George Fisher

Half colours

Awarded to students whose performances have contributed significantly to the success of their clubs during their time at the university. This includes achievements such as reaching a BUCS national championship final, promotion into the top division of BUCS, winning a medal in a BUCS final or being a squad member at a professional club or franchise.

Winners:

• Luke Horgan
• Sophie Murray
• Mica Quinn
• Molly Sutherland
• Brogan Pugh
• Eloise Hembrough
• Owen Bell
• Matthew Leary
• Matthew Johnson

Full colours

Given to students whose performances over their time at NTU have contributed most significantly to their clubs and NTU Sport. These students have achieved either international selection at either full or U21 level in the current academic year, have been a regular starting player in either a professional club or franchise for at least a season within the last academic year, competed regularly for NTU Sport over 2 academic years; and all students have consistently achieved the highest levels of sporting performance whilst part of the NTU Sport programme.

Winners:

• Millie van Nierop
• Penny Lister
• Nathan Wilkinson
• Alicia Grimmond
• Amy Ivey
• Henry Smith
• Ben Collins
• Mia Rawlins
• Laura Wright
• Jenny Lyness
• Harley Tideswell
• Ella Jackson
• Eddie Harper
• Josh Grigg

Committee of the year

Awarded to a committee who have demonstrated exceptional improvements in their club over the last academic year.

All shortlisted committees have worked exceptionally hard to improve their club member experience, organise impactful charitable events and shown a dedication to achieve goals they set out for themselves at the beginning of the year.

Shortlist:

• Archery
• Netball
• Yoga
• Karate

Winner: Netball

Netball encouraged engagement within the club by offering an increased number of sober social events, such as coffee mornings, parkruns, and a trip to watch Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Forest Netball, which allowed all club members the opportunity to attend and feel included. A buddy system was also used, pairing new members with returning members, to help new students feel more settled and welcome. The committee hosted multiple events to support charitable initiatives, including Movember, Cancer Research UK and local food banks, raising money and donating food for these worthy causes.

Team of the year

Awarded to a specific team within a club based on their performances over this academic year. The winner will be a team who has competed exceptionally for NTU in either BUCS or non-BUCS competitions, performing at the highest standard possible.

Shortlist:

• Men’s Lacrosse 1st
• Men’s Basketball 1st
• Women’s Futsal 1st
• Men’s Dodgeball 1st

Winner: Men’s Lacrosse 1st

The team had an exceptional season this year, winning the Northern Premiership and BUCS national Championships, as well as the BUCS 6s national title. The team did this by not only remaining undefeated but also winning all games in all competitions in the process. In the climax of the season, they defeated city rivals UoN in the national Championship final.

Club of the year – sponsored by Kukri

The club of the year award was presented to an NTU Sport club who have continually excelled across all teams throughout the academic year. They were also a club whose teams achieved multiple successes this year such as league promotions, trophy wins and/or other competition wins.

Shortlist:

• NTU Yoga
• NTU Netball
• NTU Karate
• NTU Hockey

Winner: NTU Karate

The karate club enjoyed a fantastic year. Across all different competitions, the club have won 138 medals, demonstrating excellent consistency. In BUCS, the club had 6 medallists and finished in the top 5 for the second year running, and the second time in the club’s history.

Student coach of the year

Awarded to a student-coach who has shown commitment to delivering high-quality coaching sessions at any level and exhibited a collaborative approach that developed the club and players involved.

Shortlist:

• Celine Penalver (Dance)
• Kate Bellamy (Karate)
• Martin McDonagh (Korfball)
• Nathan Bates (Tennis)

Winner: Kate Bellamy

Kate coaches for NTU Karate, focussing on both Kata and Kumite for competitive athletes. Outside of her scheduled coaching hours, Kate provides individualised support for athletes, and has organised extra team training sessions, showcasing her commitment to coaching and developing the athletes and the club. This has been borne out in the performances of the club this year, enjoying multiple successes nationally.

Volunteer of the year

Awarded to a student who has stood out from their peers, demonstrating excellent organisation, a passion to develop sport, ability to inspire others and a conscientious approach to developing NTU Sport and our reputation.

The award was presented by last year's winner, Phoebe Barnes.

Shortlist:

• Seyed Mohammad Matin Adnani (Archery)
• Abbie Tanzer (Netball)
• Ben Thomas (Tennis)
• Elsa Pledge (Rackets Cubed and Sport for Good)

Winner: Elsa Pledge

Elsa made an outstanding impact through her dedication, leadership and passion for using sport as a tool for positive change. Elsa’s volunteering contributions through Rackets Cubed and Sport for Good have provided young people with enriching experiences that promote physical activity and personal growth. This year Elsa has stepped up to lead the Sport for Good programme, managing and mentoring a team of 4 students, acting as a role model to both children of the local community and her fellow peers.

Sports Man of the year – sponsored by Life Fitness

Given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance achievements which have brought significant value to both them and the university. Those shortlisted for this award showed a passion for developing and growing their club and sport as an ambassador for NTU in the wider community.

We were also incredibly grateful to last year’s winner, Ben Grinter, who came back to present the award.

Shortlist:

• Ellis Mee (Rugby Union)
• Harry Whyley (Athletics)
• Abdelazim Ismail (WT Taekwondo)

Winner: Ellis Mee

Ellis has had a rapid rise in the sport, making his debut in the Rugby championship for Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé in August 2023, moving to Welsh professional club Scarletts and recently selected for the Welsh National 6 Nations Squad. Ellis made his international debut against Ireland earlier this year and was subsequently selected for matches against Scotland and England. Ellis has received acclaim through the press for his 6 nations selection which saw him selected for URC’s ‘team of the week’ following one of his standout performances.

Sports Woman of the year – sponsored by Life Fitness

Similarly to the Sports Man of the year award, this award went to an individual whose performances have stood out from their peers due to their exceptional nature. The winner of this award was an ambassador for both their club and NTU sport.

We were delighted to also welcome back Sofia Wise, last year’s winner, to present the award.

Shortlist:

Laura Wright (Lacrosse)

Millie Van Nierop (Netball)

Lucy Mackey (Hockey)

Winner: Lucy Mackey

Lucy competed in all Hockey BUCS games and external hockey league matches for NTU, being the highest goal scorer in both competitions and leading the women’s first team to their fourth BUCS Big Wednesday final in a row – a feat never achieved before by an NTU hockey club. Lucy captained the Ireland U21 team last summer at the European championships in Spain, becoming their top goal scorer in the tournament. Lucy has also been an ambassador for NTU, actively participating in community outreach events and university open days. Lucy’s contributions as an ambassador have strengthened NTU’s reputation as a leading institution for athletic excellence in hockey, making the programme an invaluable asset to the university and its students.

Leaving scholars:

The event was also a chance to celebrate and say goodbye to our scholars leaving us this year. These are follows:

Basketball:

• Ellis Tomking
• Fiona Mills
• Gregory Skoric
• Landon Taliaferro
• Maleah Turner
• Samuel Akano-kouame

Football:

• Ainsley Allan
• Alicia Grimmond
• Brogan Pugh
• Issa Gaye
• Lord Marfo
• Molly Sutherland
• Niamh Connor

Hockey:

• Connor Webb
• Jenny Lyness
• Josh Grigg
• Josh Webb
• Lucy Mackey
• Mia Rawlins
• Robbie Davidson
• Samuel Humphries
• Eddie Harper

Rugby:

• Aaron Florestein
• Charlie Wilkinson
• George Daniels
• Jay Ecclesfield
• Kieran Finney

Lacrosse:

• Blair Pachereva
• Brett Wilkinson
• Delaney Gilchrist
• Harley Tideswell
• Jason Thomfohrde
• Justin White
• Keslee Hylton
• Laura Wright
• Nathan Wilkinson
• Nathan McLean
• Timothy Ladner
• Trevor Dorfman

Canoe/Kayak and Athletics:

• Emily Lewis
• Katie Shattock
• Kerry Christie
• Toby Aston
• Harry Whyley
• Lionel Owona-Bunung

Tennis, Netball, Boxing, Cycling and Fencing:

• James Shaw
• Millie van Nierop
• Jensen Burrows
• Elodie Gage
• Ellie Jackson