CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR SPORTS AWARDS WINNERS
On Wednesday 01 June we celebrated all things sport at TeamUCL! The day started with the Sports Awards in Bloomsbury Theatre, followed by a Reception on the Wilkins Terrace and concluded with a Sports Dinner in the beautifully decorated JBR.
Sports Awards is a key part of the sporting year as it rewards the clubs and individuals who have gone above and beyond for their sport both on and off the pitch. From BUCS victories to volunteering initiatives to mental health campaigns, we have so much to be proud of here at TeamUCL and so much to celebrate. Hence, Sports Awards provides a fantastic stage (quite literally) on which to recognise these clubs, teams, and individuals for all the blood, sweat, and tears they have put in to make sport at UCL what it is today.
The ceremony invited all shortlisted nominees (club representatives and individuals alike) and their guests to Bloomsbury Theatre for the presentation of the Sports Awards winners. Summaries were given of each award by key figures in the UCL sporting community, accompanied by a short explanation of what each nominee had achieved, followed by the announcement of the winner and a winning speech. You can find all our 2022 Sports Awards winners listed below:
- Unsung Hero - Issy Smith
Issy has undertaken numerous roles within the Dodgeball club, volunteering her time as the club’s coach and Women’s captain. Her coaching duties stretch from both the men’s and women’s performance teams to social sessions, Project Active sessions and TeamUCL league events. Furthermore, Issy supports the wider delivery of sport at TeamUCL through her role as a Sports Rep, Sports Assistant, and Project Active coordinator.
- Sportswoman of the Year - Deborah Alawode
Debbie has taken her weightlifting achievements to new heights this year competing in European Championships and gaining selection for Team England ahead of the Commonwealth Games this summer. Debbie holds British records at both Under 23 and senior level, and showed her class competing for TeamUCL when she won her 3rd National BUCS medal this season.
- Sportsman of the Year - Louis Guennou
As Men’s First Team captain, Louis has led his team from the front this year helping them finish 3rd in the BUCS Premier South division and reach the National Championships Quarter Final. Individually Louis produced one of TeamUCL’s standout performances at BUCS Nationals weekend winning Gold in the Men’s Foil as well as taking part in his first Senior World Cup for Team GB.
- Captain of the Year - Basia Mikucka
Basia has captained an extremely successful board team that has seen and all UCL Women podium at regional level and a duals victory at Nationals. Basia has also been instrumental in the club’s success at KINGS regional Ski League, organisation of their dryslope event in Edinburgh, involvement within the High Performance Programme and has supported her committee throughout the year.
- Coach of the Year - Saadat Wadud
Saadat is an extremely committed coach for the Barbell Club, training over 15 athletes personally but never shy on offering advice to other members. Saadat’s support is invaluable, particularly to new members, which has helped create a brilliant environment around the club. It’s no doubt that Saadat’s support has also contributed to the club’s competition success as well.
- Mandy Walker Cup for Sports Personality of the Year - Emma Cryer
Emma has worked tirelessly for the Pole Fitness Club and singlehandedly taken on the running of the club including organising competitions, leading socials and coordinating the club’s social media. Emma has also established links with other clubs by running charity events during Movember and for Olly’s Future. Emma has also been instrumental in advocating for Women’s safety at UCL by contributing to the Girls’ Night in forum and instigating the Creating Safer Environments for Women panel and training event.
- Friends' Cup - Taekwondo
Having dominated their 3 National competitions, Taekwondo topped the University medal total with an impressive haul of 30 gold, 18 silver and 25 bronze medals shared amongst their novice and experienced athletes. Impressively the club also have a number of athletes competing in the European University Games in Poland this Summer.
- Shield for Most Improved Club of the Year - Basketball (Men)
As they often say, ‘never let your past influence the future’. This is the mantra Men’s basketball club adopted this year and they have completely overturned the organisation of the club. They have significantly improved relationships with the Students’ Union and other clubs, invested in new personalised kit for all of their players, fundraised for MedLife and Movemeber, improved the amount of information available on their social media accounts, assisted with the running of TeamUCL League Basketball, upskilled members with officiating courses, increased their regular training sessions and engaged new members through social sessions.
- Volunteering Sports Club of the Year - Ultimate
Ultimate have volunteered their time tirelessly over the last year to run long-term, short-term, online and in-person volunteering projects. These have included a Green Walkers litter pick, re-distributing surplus food from UCL cafes, a 12 hour ‘Among Us’ stream, coaching sessions at Alperton Community High School, and work in homeless shelters.
- Diversity and Inclusion Award - Hockey (Men)
Men’s Hockey have increased the amount of opportunities available for underrepresented groups and created a wider range of inclusive activity. This has included offering a range of taster sessions for beginners, postgrads and cultural societies, and competing in non-competitive mixed teams alongside the Women’s club. They have also been a flagship club involved with the TeamUCL Against Hate Campaign and managed to uphold the Diversity in TeamUCL, Zero Tolerance, and Pride in TeamUCL pledges.
- Louis Carr Memorial Award - Pole Fitness
Pole Fitness have put mental health support at the forefront of their activity this year with initiatives such as movie nights, welfare drop ins, and puppy yoga providing social interaction for their members. They have also partnered with Men’s Football and Red Star to run two fundraising events for Movember and Olly’s Future respectively. Furthermore, all of the proceeds from their showcase ticket sales have amounted to over £1000 raised for Papyrus UK.
- Club of the Year - Hockey (Men)
Hockey (Men) have led the way this year with their dedication to inclusion and diversity by providing a range of inclusive activity and embedding a culture of zero tolerance and equality. On the pitch, their three BUCS teams have had a successful year with their first team winning the league, cup and Varsity.