Sports Award winners 2026

UCL Badminton Club has built on a strong 24/25 season, bringing home 3 league titles in 2026, including an incredible league and cup double for their Women’s 2s in their debut season and a historic bronze men’s doubles medal at the BUCS Individual Championships. The performance of the 1s teams have ensured the club makes a return on the European stage for the second consecutive year in July at the EUSA Games in Salerno.

Janet has made an extraordinary contribution, serving as the driving force behind the club’s continued success and development. Coaching every team from the 1s to the 7s, including a new competitive development squad, she has helped deliver promotions and cup successes. Her commitment extends far beyond training, attending matches across all levels and supporting players both on and off the court. Known for her exceptional leadership, adaptability, and personal dedication to every member, Janet has built not only successful teams, but a united and supportive club culture that defines UCNC.

UCL Squash has made major strides in becoming a more inclusive and accessible club. Female membership increased from 34% to 44%, supported the introduction of a second women’s team, which expanded access to competitive squash and doubled attendance at women’s trials. The club also introduced a structured coach-led social programme, affordable memberships, and equipment-inclusive sessions to better support beginners and students from non-traditional sporting backgrounds. Alongside these changes, UCL Squash launched its first charity initiative supporting testicular cancer awareness, reflecting its growing commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and community engagement.

Now one of UCL’s most decorated athletes in history, Eliana added 3 individual golds in BUCS Snowsports events to her already vast collection that includes 2 AJAM golds, 1 British Indoors Silver and 3 British Outdoor bronzes in 25/26. Beyond her results, Eliana has been a role model within the club, inspiring others and girls within snowsports, especially through hosting a this girl can session, to try freestyle in a male-dominated area.

Key members of the Badminton Men’s 1s team, the pairs’ contribution to the teams BUCS & LUSL Success are second to none, with Neville winning all BUCS & LUSL matches and Jason prioritising BUCS over national competitions, thus never missing a game. At BUCS Individuals, the pair made history, becoming the first UCL doubles to medal, claiming a bronze after defeating the #1 ranked pair in arguably the match of the tournament.

Nile has demonstrated exceptional leadership, inclusivity, and sporting excellence as president of UCL Gymnastics. He has created a welcoming environment for all members, supported first-time competitors with patience and care, and helped improve representation within the sport as a featured Black History Month athlete and one of the club’s first male presidents in recent years. Alongside his leadership, Nile achieved historic success with a bronze medal at BUCS Nationals Level 1.

Since Summer 2025, the two clubs have collaborated with the Students’ Union to deliver a bespoke Anti-Sexual Violence and Rape Culture Workshop tailored to university sport. Covering consent, bystander intervention, sexual harassment, and challenging harmful behaviours, the workshop received overwhelmingly positive feedback and strengthened understanding and empathy across both clubs. The initiative has also inspired similar programmes across UCL sport. Alongside wider welfare and mental health initiatives, both clubs have shown a strong commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive, and supportive sporting environment.

Adi has transformed the standards and culture of UCL Men’s Cricket 1st XI through ambitious and dedicated leadership. By introducing structured winter training, regular strength and conditioning sessions, pre-season fixtures, and team-building initiatives, he has created a more driven, cohesive, and competitive environment focused on long-term success and promotion. More than the initiatives themselves, Adi’s leadership has inspired belief, unity, and commitment across the squad, leaving a lasting positive impact on the club both on and off the field.

Evie is a vibrant and well-known figure across TeamUCL, recognised for her warmth, energy, and exceptional organisational flair. Evie has made an exceptional contribution to TeamUCL through her inclusive leadership and community-building as Social Secretary. She helped create a welcoming social culture accessible to all members, strengthened relationships across clubs and societies, and fostered a strong sense of belonging within TeamUCL. Alongside her off-field impact, Evie also contributed to a league-winning BUCS season while balancing the demands of a full-time lab schedule in her final year.

Enjoying an outstanding year, the 1st XV securing an unbeaten promotion campaign and a sixth successive Varsity victory, while the 2nd XV achieved promotion and a BUCS Cup win. The club also expanded beginner participation through inclusive touch rugby sessions promoting mental health awareness. Alongside this, members raised over £2,800 for charity through fundraising initiatives and strengthened the club’s commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, welfare, and wider TeamUCL values.

The club made volunteering and fundraising a central focus, choosing to support Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Through bake sales, charity gigs, fundraising events, and a dedicated “Fundraising February,” they’ve raised over £2,000 across the year. Highlights included a 12-hour run, inter-society pub quizzes, and a charity football tournament involving over 50 participants from multiple clubs. Members played an active role throughout, volunteering their time, organising events, and promoting initiatives, demonstrating a strong collective commitment to supporting meaningful causes and creating positive impact beyond sport.

UCL Hiking Club has grown into one of the Union’s most accessible and impactful student communities, delivering more than 120 events across Terms 1 and 2 alone. Through an inclusive programme ranging from beginner-friendly “Discoverer” walks to challenging “Explorer” hikes in locations such as Snowdonia, the club has wide exploration, helping students build confidence, resilience, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Alongside bi-weekly park walks with Project Active, large-scale socials, residential tours, skills workshops, and an equipment lending scheme, the club has focused on reducing barriers to participation while maintaining a strong sense of community. Beyond hiking, its impact extends through wellbeing initiatives, volunteering, and charity work, demonstrating how student sport can create lasting social connection, inclusion, and positive change across the wider UCL community.

The Society has built an inclusive and community-driven culture through its football team, the Disaster Dribblers. The team brought together over 15 undergraduate and postgraduate students through departmental tournaments and the 5-a-side World Cup, offering many their first experience of university sport. Representing Tanzania in memory of a late teammate made participation especially meaningful, strengthening solidarity and resilience within the group. Supported by enthusiastic fans and strong community spirit, the Disaster Dribblers have become a powerful source of inclusion, connection, and belonging.

A huge congratulations to Ana, our Activities and Engagement Officer, who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to volunteering, sport, inclusion, student leadership and strategic change that will continue to shape student life long after her graduation.

Mathura's Honorary Lifetime Membership is in recognition of her exceptional commitment to her club, RUMS Boat Club, but also student participation across the Students' Union. Through her herculean effort, we have raised significant money to further equity and community impact.

Throughout his time at UCL, Jim Roberts has consistently demonstrated his qualities through his exceptional leadership and service across sport, student representation, and union activity

From her first year, Jannelle immersed herself fully in Muay Thai Club. As Social Secretary, she built traditions and a social culture that continue today. As President, Jannelle led the most successful year in the club's history. The initiatives, culture, inclusivity and ambition she created will continue shaping UCL Muay Thai long after her graduation.

Debbie has been a member of the Elite Athlete programme, for Olympic Weightlifting, since 206, winning 6 BUCS golds in 7 competitions and representing England at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Debbie has always given up time in her busy schedule to support TeamUCL events, whether this be delivering talks about the value of sport at UCL or taking part in photoshoots for content.