NTU Sport Awards Roundup 2024

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 team and athletes.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to FHP Student Living for sponsoring the event. Your support has helped to make this celebration possible.

Outstanding Contributions

This award recognises students who have most significantly contributed to the success of their club during their time at NTU. They have gone above and beyond to uphold the values of Pride, Unity, and Respect through their work within their clubs over the past two academic years.

Winners:

• Pip Arris
• Ed Fearn
• Marks Kanins
• Lucinda Lancaster
• Harrison Larwood
• Celine Penalver
• Liam Studley

Half Colours

Students receiving this award have demonstrated remarkable performance by being part of a squad that reached a BUCS championship final, gained promotion into the top division of BUCS, won a medal in a BUCS final, or were a squad member at a professional club or franchise. Their achievements have played a significant role in advancing the university’s sports program.

Winners:

• Adeoluwa Coker
• Ollie Dunn
• Ines Guerreiro
• Freya Henshall
• Isaac McKirgan
• Eve Parker
• Millie Van Nierop

Full Colours

This award was given to students whose performances over their time at NTU have significantly contributed to their clubs and NTU Sport. These students have achieved international selection at full or U21 level in the current academic year, have been regular starting players in professional clubs or franchises for at least a season within the last academic year, and have competed regularly for NTU Sport over two academic years. All have consistently achieved the highest levels of sporting performance while part of the NTU Sport programme.

Winners:

• Fiona Cameron
• Jack Ferdinand
• Daniel Flisk
• Philip Johnson
• Mariana Martins
• Shona McKenna
• Nicole Scholten
• Sharhnee Skervin
• Harley Tideswell
• Nathan Wilkinson

Committee of the Year

Awarded to a committee that demonstrated exceptional improvements in their club over the last academic year. All shortlisted committees have worked hard to improve their club member experience, organise impactful charitable events, and show dedication to achieving their goals.

Nominees:

• NTU Burlesque
• NTU Netball
• NTU Tennis

Winner: NTU Burlesque

Over this academic year, NTU Burlesque raised over £1200 for their chosen charity through multiple showcases. They committed to improving the sustainability of the club by upcycling and purchasing costumes from charity shops. The committee worked closely with NTU Sport’s marketing team to reduce the stigma of their sport and embed the motto "Every Body is a Burlesque Body".

Team of the Year

This award recognises a team that competed exceptionally for NTU in either BUCS or non-BUCS competitions, performing at the highest standard possible.

Nominees:

• NTU Men’s Lacrosse 1s
• NTU Men’s Brack Rugby
• NTU Renegades

Winner: NTU Men’s Lacrosse 1s

This team had an exceptional season, winning the Northern Premiership and BUCS National Championships. This is the first time the club has won both in the same season. They secured the league title before Christmas and came back from 3-0 down in the National Championship final to win against UoN.

Club of the Year

This award is presented to an NTU Sport club that has continually excelled across all teams throughout the academic year. The winning club’s teams achieved multiple successes such as league promotions, trophy wins, and other competition victories.

Finalists:

• NTU Karate
• NTU Korfball
• NTU Basketball

Winner: NTU Basketball

The Men’s 1st Team won the Premier Division and reached the Semi-finals of the Championship. The Men’s 2nd Team won Division 2A, gained promotion, and won the Midlands Conference Cup Final. The Men’s 3rd Team won Division 3B undefeated and gained promotion. The Women’s 1st Team reached the Semi-finals of the National Championship, and the Women’s 2nd Team reached the Semi-finals of the Midlands Conference Cup. Both men’s and women’s teams won their varsity matches this year against UoN.

Student Coach of the Year

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

Finalists:

• Mollie Patterson – Table Tennis
• Kieran Sullivan – ITF Taekwondo and Kickboxing
• Lewis Atkinson – Women’s Football
• Issy Stitt – Mixed/Women’s Hockey

Winner: Lewis Atkinson – Women’s Football

Lewis has coached multiple women’s football teams this year, including the 3rd team in their first-ever season in tier 2, and the regional team to a league win and promotion to step 5. He also served as the goalkeeper coach for the Women’s 1s, who gained promotion to the BUCS Prem. Lewis has shown incredible commitment to the football club and worked tirelessly across all levels to offer his support.

Volunteer of the Year

This award is given to a student who has stood out from their peers by demonstrating excellent organisation, a passion for developing sport, the ability to inspire others, and a conscientious approach to enhancing NTU Sport.

Finalists:

Phoebe Barnes – Rowing
Jacob Dunk – Tennis
Jess Robertson – Netball

Winner: Phoebe Barnes – Rowing

Phoebe has shown an incredible level of commitment to the rowing club, attending multiple sessions every week, including early morning sessions to offer support to other students. She has attended multiple competitions and races to support and guide her fellow students, even when not competing herself.

Sports Man of the Year

This award recognises a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance achievements and brought significant value to both themselves and the university.

Finalists:

• Jamie Jonathan Foord – Powerlifting
• Ben Grinter – Touch Rugby
• Ellis Mee – Rugby Union
• Kieran Sullivan – ITF Taekwondo and Kickboxing

Winner: Ben Grinter – Touch Rugby

Ben has helped the NTU touch team achieve a first-place finish at the first North UTC of the year and captained the team to the university's first national UTC win. He was part of the England squad that won a gold medal at the Touch Rugby Euros 2023, where he also won Players’ Player. Ben has been the NTU touch rugby coach for the last three years and served as assistant coach for the England boys’ U18 team at the Youth Atlantic Cup 2023.

Sports Woman of the Year

This award recognises an individual whose performances have stood out due to their exceptional nature and who has been an ambassador for both their club and NTU Sport.

Finalists:

• Sofia Wise – Lacrosse
• Mariana Martins – Squash
• Brooke Bjelko – Basketball
• Nicole Scholten – ITF Taekwondo and Kickboxing

Winner: Sofia Wise – Lacrosse

Sofia is a key member of the university's 1st team and has also made a name for herself on the international stage. She is a current member of the senior women’s England lacrosse squad, played for the British lacrosse squad representing GB earlier this year, and won the U21 European championships with the England team in the summer of 2023. Sofia has also played a pivotal role in growing lacrosse at NTU, particularly benefiting the women’s 1st team this year.

Leaving Scholars

This award honoured our leaving scholars for their dedication, commitment, and passion during their time at NTU.

Basketball:

Andressa Alves Augusto
Brooke Bjelko
Surie Camacho
Ines Guerreiro
Jacob Cirtautas
Diogo Soares

Football:

Eloise Hembrough
Tom Jones
Tom Cursons
Bradley Gothard
Gianlucca Bucci
Ross Woolley

Hockey:

Bea Ball
Oliver Hassall

Netball:

Freya Henshall
Millie Van Nierop

Taekwondo:

Nicole Scholten
Kieran Sullivan

Lacrosse:

Erin Piper
Carson Peck
Ethan Caldwell
Sofia Wise
Shona McKenna
Daniel Flisk
Harley Tideswell
Nicholas Palermo
Luca Shurink

Swimming:

Connor Stuart
Anya Preece
Joseph Kingsland

Equestrian:

Pip Arris

Tennis:

David Szeri

Squash:

Mariana Martins

Touch Rugby:

Ben Grinter

The evening ended on a positive note with a musical performance by Alfie Wallace

We thank all the attendees for joining us to celebrate these outstanding achievements.