Stage at the Sports Awards 2023CategoriesAnnouncement Student News

Sports Awards 2024 | Save the date this 30 May

Sports Awards 2024 | Save the date 30 May  

The University of Birmingham Sport will celebrate the achievements of its 2023/24 sporting stars at this year’s coveted Sports Awards 2024 taking place on the evening of Thursday 30 May.

Returning once again to the decadence of the Brammall Music Building, athletes, coaches and students can now add the date to their sporting calendar ahead of the annual event.

 

This year sees 13 categories open for nominations, of which details will be announced in the coming weeks, with the full list of categories including:

 

Campus League Team of the Year
Coach of the Year (non-student)
Coach of the Year (student)
Club of the Year
Full Blues
Half Blues
National Team of the Year
Outstanding Contribution
ED&I Award
Sport Colours
Sports Person of the Year
Regional Team of the Year
Volunteer of the Year

Glass trophy for Georgia Pexton - Coach of the Year
Glasses of champagne on a table with someone pouring drinks.
Group of students joined by Carolyn Cutbill at the Sports Awards.
Group of students stood on stage at the Sports Awards.

The Sports Awards 2023 recognised all levels of sporting achievements from our volunteers to our elite athlete scholars.

Standouts included; Athletics scooping Club of the Year for their impressive BUCS points contribution; Hockey Women’s 4s named as Regional Team of the Year for their treble winning season; Cheerleading awarded with Outstanding Contribution supporting wider UOB events; and the Sailing Club acknowledged with the PRIDE Award helping to reduce cost barrier for its members.

Sports Awards timings on a screen in the Elgar Concert area.
A group of students waiting outside in he sun on a grass area.

Andy Allford, Director of Sport at University of Birmingham, said: “Sport remains a key part of student life for many during their time at Birmingham and it’s important we continue to take the time to celebrate achievements at every level.

 

“It’s always one of my favourite nights of the year and over the years, we’ve been able to widen the recognition and status of our sporting stars across the University. We’re already looking forward to reading through each nomination and coming together this May to celebrate in style.”

Andy Allford presenting at the Sports Awards.

With more than 200 people in attendance last year – including the Vice Chancellor and Principal of University of Birmingham Adam Tickell – we’re hoping to make this year’s event even bigger with a selection of arrival drinks, food options and post-event entertainment.

 

With a number of guest presenters from roles across the University, keep an eye out across University of Birmingham Sport social media channels and our weekly Sports Desk newsletter – which covers all our BUCS highlights each week – for further details.

 

More about the Sports Awards 2024
Image of sportswomen hugging after a matchCategoriesAnnouncement Student News

Award-winning New Year for University of Birmingham Sport 

Award-winning New Year for University of Birmingham Sport 

University of Birmingham Sport and Sport & Fitness has been recognised by the national governing body for University sport for our excellence in increasing physical activity opportunities for members and students.

American Football on Bournbrook 3G

Awarded with the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Physical Activity Excellence Award, this is a huge achievement that celebrates the world-class facilities, coaching and opportunities that sport provides across the campus.

 

With more than 60 University sports clubs, and welcoming professional athletes and recreational clubs and groups from around the world – such as the recent British Junior Open Squash 2024 event in January – Sport & Fitness continues to offer sporting opportunities for all abilities, all year round.

Active Residences free sport programme showcasing new wheelchair basketball sessions
Rugby Union Women's tackling each other.
Athletics squad in relay race on UoB running track
British Junior Open winners stand back to back holding trophies

Sport & Fitness boasts outstanding facilities including two water-based synthetic pitches, all-weather and numerous grass pitches, ten netball/tennis courts, four indoor sports hall arenas, a climbing wall, 50m swimming pool and two-floor gym.

 

Across campus there is also an all-purpose Athletics Track and additional off-campus student-only gym.

The BUCS Physical Activity Excellence Award produces a sector standard for higher education institutions to achieve, that demonstrates good practice in increasing physical activity engagement across its population.

Wide shot of outdoor pitches at night (water based, tennis/netball and Bournbrook 3G)
Munrow arena with spectators for super series basketball.

Chris Anthony, Head of Sport Development at the University of Birmingham, said: “It’s been great to be recognised for the breadth of work that Birmingham does and the opportunities available to our student, staff and community to become – and remain – active with us.”

 

With 17 current award holders across the UK, the University of Birmingham is now also eligible to apply for the esteemed ukactive Physical Activity Excellence Award later this year.

Chris pictured holding trophy alongside award. presenter
More about the award
Group BJO photo in front of glass courtCategoriesEvents

British Junior Open Returns to Birmingham

British Junior Open Returns to Birmingham

Widely regarded as the second most prestigious junior open squash competition after the U19s World Junior Squash Championships, early January saw Sport & Fitness host the 2024 edition of the British Junior Open.

Spectator view of glass courts in Munrow Arena

Welcoming 600 talented young athletes from around the world in U11, U13, U15 and U17 grades, individuals battled it out across five days of competition from 3-7 January.

 

There was a huge buzz across the facility as the Munrow Hall was transformed into a world-class squash glass court, alongside the six current squash courts located on the first floor.

Of the women currently on the world stage, four of the top six have won the BJO U19 title, including the world’s top three players, Nouran Gohar, Nour El Sherbini and Hania El Hammamy. In the current men’s rankings, seven of the top ten have won BJO titles. Day one alone saw 482 matches across 22 courts!

BJO competitors holding backpacks
Two males competing in the glass court
Mascot perry fist bumping children

2024 saw Egypt sweep the board on finals’ day at the British Junior Open, with Mohamed Zakaria and Fayrouz Aboelkheir lifting the Under-19 titles at the University of Birmingham.

 

All ten champions across the five age groups were Egyptian, with six of the deciders being all-Egyptian affairs.

Andy Allford, Director of Sport at the University of Birmingham, said:

 

“It’s been fantastic to work alongside England Squash, Edgbaston Priory and all the partners involved in putting on the prestigious British Junior Open.

“It remains a fantastic fixture for our sporting calendar and congratulations to all this year’s winners, and those who competed, in some cases travelling across the world to our world class facility here at the University.

 

“Squash continues to be hugely important, as one of the University’s seven performance sports, led by head coach John Tate at the highest level of BUCS competition. From recruiting world-class athletes to study and compete here at Birmingham to success on the pitch, we’re already looking forward to what 2024 brings.’

Duty manager Ross putting medal on child
Book a court

“The staff at Sport & Fitness also deserve a notable mention, once again going above and beyond to deliver an international event.”

 

Sport & Fitness has a huge range of squash and racketball opportunities suited to all ages and abilities including: introductory coaching courses, social sessions, recreational and competitive leagues and events.

 

Members can book each of our six glass back squash courts via the app.