Oxford University Sports Ball 2022

Monday, 13th June 2022 saw the return of Oxford University Sports Ball as an in-person event for the first time since 2019. 250 students, sports staff, sponsors and friends from the Oxford sporting community came together at Oxford Town Hall to celebrate an incredible year of sport at Oxford and the first full season of university sport since the outbreak of COVID-19.

There were ten awards up for grabs and with over 150 nominations sent in, every award was extremely competitive and the winners and all those shortlisted should be incredibly proud. The winners and shortlists for each award are detailed below:

Kitlocker Club of the Year

- Rugby League, American Football, Archery, Basketball

Rebuilding and expanding has been the successful outcome of this year for Rugby League with the women's team having been reborn after folding in 2015, collaborating with Atalanta's and the This Girl Can campaign to increase participation in the team with now over 50 members. After a phenomenal second half comeback, the Men's Blues took victory in the Varsity match, which was attended by over 1200 spectators. The side has also organised a trip to Ghana, featuring an exhibition match against the Ghana National Team and a reception with the President, as part of a new partnership with the University of Ghana for a mentorship, kit and equipment scheme.

Walters and Co Sportswoman of the Year

- Grace Molloy (Orienteering, Football, Cross Country), Amelia Standing, Yvonne Chart

Grace won gold in the BUCS Orienteering Individual Championship this year, with her key contribution in this and the relay competition leading to Oxford winning silver overall. She won silver in the British Middle Championships and gold in the Scottish Sprint Championships and continues to represent Great Britain, confidently finishing amongst the top 25 orienteers in the world in various international events. Outside of Orienteering, Grace has found success in the BUCS Athletics Outdoor Championships, as well as representing Scotland U23s in Cross Country, all whilst playing for our Football Blues.

Walters and Co Sportsman of the Year

- Nick Civetta (Rugby Union), Andrew Hong, Tobias Schroder

Nick returns as winner of this award last year, having continued to strengthen his impressive sporting CV. A key player in the Oxford Men's Blues team, winning the Varsity match with players and coaches having cited him as the most influential and humble pro that they have had in the group to date. Continuing his international career, Nick continues to stand out for the USA national team in fixtures against England and the New Zealand All Blacks as they continue their preparations for the 2023 RWC in France.

Blues Team of the Year

- Hockey Mens, Australian Rules Football Womens, Fencing Womens

What may be their most successful season ever, winning the BUCS Premier division undefeated and gaining promotion to the BUCS National League for the first time through a play-off victory versus Edinburgh. The team won the Varsity match, ending a three-year losing streak, and if that wasn’t enough they also won the England South Central Premier League which includes non-university teams and were promoted to the England Hockey National League for the first time since 1999.

Team of the Year

- Athletics Womens Seconds (Millipedes), Basketball Womens Seconds, Netball Thirds

The Millipedes are a Varsity team who dominated Cambridge this year, winning thirteen out of nineteen events and achieving an overall victory by 39 points. The team broke Second Team Varsity Match records in six events – with all records broken by a different athlete, showing the strength and depth of the team across multiple events.

Most Outstanding Contribution to Sport

- Stewart Humble (American Football & Athletics), Anezka Macey-Dare, Belinda Dow, Bill De La Rosa, Felix Gallagher, Johann Perera

Stewart completes his third year as President of the American Football Club with a string of impressive achievements. Managing the large scale of the sport professionally and efficiently, this year Stewart's team finished their league season unbeaten. His leadership quality has manifested in his alumni relations and fundraising acumen, where he has developed a wide-reaching network of regular givers. A crucial networking opportunity led Stewart to negotiate and deliver a large fundraising deal, which has guaranteed long-term financial strength for the club and even secured a permanent pitch at Uni Parks, complete with pitch renovation.

Fresher of the Year

- Alice Garner (Athletics), Bron Hyde, Jonathan Rutter

Alice, a Blues Performance Athlete, joined our Athletics Club already as an outstanding athlete. She ranked first in the UK in 2021 at Parkrun for the U20 category and consistently runs for Great Britain, finishing 51st at the European Cross Country Championships and 4th in the 5000m at the European U20 Athletics Championships. 

Teammate of the Year

- Georgi Pramatarov (Basketball), Andrew Zhu, Hannah Williams

Georgi is Captain of the Men's Blues, but due to a nasty injury in pre-season has not played a game this season. Despite this, Georgi has shown outstanding commitment to the team's cause, attending every training session and match, supporting teammates with injuries, recording stats for analysis, officiating games for all teams in the club, and acting as the chief cheerleader. He has been endlessly supportive and selfless, despite not being able to share the glory on the court, or indeed receive a coveted Blue.

Coach of the Year

- Hector Worsley (Polo), Jamie Smith, Lesley Bryant

The Club's coach for three years now, Hector has driven all levels of the club to great success this year with his personal approach to strategy and player growth. An unbeaten winter season for the blues and beginner 1 teams with an historic 21-0 win for blues in winter varsity and placing first in multiple events across the season. Hector’s coached 6 teams across 4 levels, from beginner to blues, and is able to bring our the best in players at an unprecedented speed. 

Student Coach of the Year

- Jaidan Reeder (Rugby League), Justin Clarke, Matthew Downer

Jaidan's selflessness and willing to give up time and commit himself to the club and developing women's sport played a key role in the re-establishment and growth of the Women's Rugby League team this year. Jaidan leads training sessions, which has seen numbers rise from six to over thirty regular participants. The team, which featured mostly beginners, have gone on to compete at an unprecedented high level, beating an established Loughborough side 30-0 after just two terms of training. 

Congratulations to this year's winners. If that wasn't enough, Oxford has also been shortlisted in three categories of the national BUCS Awards: Club of the Year - Rugby League, Special Recognition Award - Stewart Humble, Diversity and Inclusion Award - Swimming. This is a real testament to the wide-reaching impact our clubs and students have in sport, not just in Oxford but further afield as well. We are excited to hear the winners announced at the BUCS Awards on the 6th July.