Cambridge Sports Awards 2023

More than 200 students, staff and members of the community gathered together this week to recognise sporting talent and achievement across the University.

Held at the University Sports Centre, the Running Club Hare & Hounds were the first winners, taking home Team of the Year for their double team bronze medals at BUCS, multiple individual BUCS medals and their unprecedented 5-0 Varsity win. 

The Sporting Moment of the Year, the only category decided by an audience vote rather than judges, was won by the Amateur Boxing Club for their historic Varsity victory.

Tom Wade, currently studying for his PHD, won Sports Club Personality of the Year. He was recognised for his significant contribution to the Cycling Club and as someone who is always kind and caring to members whilst striving to improve the club’s culture.

In the award for Outstanding Contribution, this year’s six award winners were: Alex Telford, Ellie O'Keeffe, Joa Hoshizaki, Matt Neville, Priyanka Patel and Sofie Pultz. Between them, the six have given 30-years of their time and effort to University sports clubs. All have held multiple roles and contributed behind the scenes as well as on the field. 

With a strong shortlist for Newcomer of the Year, the judging panel felt it was fitting to recognise two individuals, Charlotte Bardsley and Jordan Mubako. Charlotte, after competing at the Commonwealth Games, arrived at Cambridge as a UCAPP athlete, took over Table Tennis Club captaincy duties, won a BUCS Individual silver medal, and has been elected to take on a club vice-presidency role in 2023/24. Jordan has competed at a high level in three different sports: Rugby Union, Athletics and Basketball.

Unsung Hero was awarded to Matthew Griffiths. Matthew's behind-the-scenes work as coach to the CUBC Women's Lightweights have led to a host of successes on the water over the past year.

Olympian Imogen Grant took home Sports Person of the Year. Imogen won six BUCS Regatta medals in 2022 as well as back-to-back gold medals at the European Rowing Championships Gold medals in 2022 and 2023. She has also been the top performing lightweight athlete at the GB trials and won gold at BUCS Cycling.

The final award of the afternoon was for Club of the Year. With many clubs having had a strong year, it was a tough decision for the judging panel but the Triathlon Club was ultimately recognised for its transformational year, with excellent leadership from the committee, over 50% more members, as well as improved sponsorship and increased events.



Full list of award winners:
 

• Club of the Year: CU Triathlon Club 
• Team of the Year: Hare & Hounds 
• Sports Person of the Year: Imogen Grant (Trinity), Boat Club and Cycling Club 
• Unsung Hero: Matthew Griffiths (Trinity), Boat Club 
• Sports Club Personality of the Year: Tom Wade (St. Catharine's), Cycling Club and Badminton Club
• Sporting Moment of the Year: Amateur Boxing Club Varsity Victory / Chike Pilgrim (Darwin)
• Newcomer of the Year: Charlotte Bardsley (Sidney Sussex), Table Tennis Club, Jordan Mubako (St. John’s), Basketball Club, Rugby Union Club and Athletic Club 
• Outstanding Contribution: Alex Telford (Emmanuel), Netball Club; Ellie O'Keeffe (Emmanuel), Swimming and Water Polo Club, Rugby Union Club and Athletic Club; Joa Hoshizaki (Churchill), Ice Hockey Club; Matt Neville (Clare Hall), Ice Hockey Club; Priyanka Patel (Pembroke), Cricket Club; Sofie Pultz (St. Edmund's), Badminton Club

Winners were decided by a judging panel made up of senior University staff, with the exception of Sporting Moment of the Year which was decided by an audience vote in the lead up to the ceremony.

Thank you to sponsors Aldi Careers UK & OSB Events - organisers of the Cambridge Half Marathon for supporting the event.