Spirits were high as AU Officer Kimiko Cheng took the stage to commence the awards. In her opening address, she told the crowd that “I want to thank all 65 clubs for your hard work this year, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and seeing you flourish. I’m so proud of what you have achieved this year.”
The year had featured too many highlights to list but emphasized her pride at the creation of three new clubs, a seventh-place finish in BUCS standings, and a decisive Varsity victory
She stated that the year had featured too many highlights to list but emphasized her pride at the creation of three new clubs, a seventh-place finish in BUCS standings, and a decisive Varsity victory, before handing the microphone to the AU Officer-Elect Alex Duggan to present the evening’s awards.
The first award of the evening was ‘Administrator of the Year,’ awarded to Natalia Ochodzka, Volleyball Club’s treasurer. She has made an impression in the 2023/24 season by organizing the club’s Give It a Go sessions, while also finding time to organize team travel, kit, and charity events, while still finding time to help create a new men’s development squad, rewrite club policies with a focus on inclusivity, and, of course, play volleyball.
Second on the bill was ‘Contribution to Sports Coverage and Promotion,’ awarded to the effervescent Maria Pace, TikTok admin for Women’s Rugby. The award brief calls for ‘a student who aims to widen participation, engagement, and pride in Team Newcastle,’ and Pace has done exactly that, garnering 1125 followers, 37,300 likes, and hundreds of thousands of views on the teams TikTok account, creating a strong bond, not just between NUWRFC players, but also with their opponents.
‘Contribution to Inclusivity’ was contested by just two clubs, Caving Club and Pole & Aerial Club, with the latter winning out, in the words of Welfare Officer Lucy Leeds, for “[demonstrating] an unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities.” Also cited were the club’s adoption of quiet hours classes, sober socials, welfare-focused events, and a markedly supportive committee.
“I think our club is often overlooked, but we try to make such a positive impact on sport,” said Club Secretary Lydia Bond.
Volleyball Club returned to the spotlight as winners of ‘Community Club of the Year,’ recognized again for the aforementioned charity events, which raised money for Movember and breast cancer. Also cited were the presence of social teams, a diverse and welcoming community, and commitment to hosting regular Give It a Go sessions.
“Everyone in the club is a star,” said Angus Stride, volleyball’s welfare officer. “To sum it up, chuffed to bits.”
Dance Club picked up its first award of the evening in the ‘Individual Contribution to University Sport’ category, awarded to club president Gabby Joyce, who has coached two competition teams in 2023/24, an “absolutely unheard of” feat. Joyce also achieved a gold ‘Earn Your Stripes’ award, the highest level of inclusivity training available to Newcastle University athletes. As an advanced dancer, accomplished coach, and meticulous organizer, Joyce has overseen an incredibly successful year with Dance Club.
‘Club Coach of the Year’ was awarded to Swimming Club’s Lucy Clifford, who has revolutionized Club fortunes in her time as women’s captain, a role she achieved in just her second year on the team. Under her leadership, training attendance, competition performance, and team morale have been revolutionized, as evidenced by a dominant Varsity showing.
On receiving her award, she humbly told the room that “It’s not about me, it’s about the team, the people who show up to training everyday. Thank you to them.”
This award’s counterpart, ‘Performance Coach of the Year,’ was awarded to Sam Shenton of volleyball club, for their third award of the evening.
“Sam has excelled in his field, taking Team Newcastle from success to success and creating an environment where students can achieve their sporting goals,” said Ochodzka, presenting the award to her teammate. “He is our biggest supporter, greatest critic, and role model. He always has our back and pushes us to our limits.”
Shenton was less sentimental in his speech, attempting to sit down before being handed a microphone and begrudgingly saying “thank you to the players for making me look good… have a good night everyone.”
European Champion sprinter Joy Eze, winner of ‘Sportsperson of the Year,’ was unfortunately not present to collect her award, but had established herself as BUCS’ youngest ever 60m champion and also played up a level, finishing fourth at British senior championships. She also represented Team GB at the U20 World Championships after winning the European 100m Championship in summer 2023.
A charity 24-hour real tennis marathon raised £2,000 for local dog shelters and exemplified the club’s members’ commitment to the game
‘Most Improved Club of the Year’ was awarded to Real Tennis Club, an antiquated version of tennis played indoors on a court similar to a large squash court. A lack of interest saw the club sidelined in 2019, but it was reborn in December 2022, since becoming national inter-university champions. A charity 24-hour real tennis marathon raised £2,000 for local dog shelters and exemplified the club’s members’ commitment to the game, as did their regular hosting of Give It a Go sessions, raising the profile of a niche sport.
The evening’s penultimate award, ‘Team of the Year,’ is always among the most hotly contested, and this year was won by Men’s Hockey 1s, who have scored an impressive 127 goals in 33 matches thus far in 2023/24. Their rigorous training regimens, which included a 6-day per week schedule during both summer and winter holidays, work which has clearly paid off as they have achieved promotion to the top flight of BUCS hockey.
Upon hearing that they had won, the team rose to their feet and sang ‘Toon Army’ in lieu of an acceptance speech, in what was one of the more memorable, if drunken, moments of the night.
Dance Club boasts one of the busiest schedules of any AU club, operating 16 competition teams and 18 weekly classes on top of a packed competition and event schedule
To close the night, Cheng repossessed the microphone to award ‘Club of the Year’ to Dance Club, whose 421 members won an unparalleled 25 trophies in 2023/24. Dance Club boasts one of the busiest schedules of any AU club, operating 16 competition teams and 18 weekly classes on top of a packed competition and event schedule, also finding time to run a range of charity events, which this year raised £2700 for FACT Cancer Support.
Club President Gabby Joyce took the microphone to accept the award, saying that the highlight of her year has been having “weekly classes where hundreds and hundreds of people come out.”
She went on to thank her committee and her corps of student teachers, closing out the night’s programme and opening the floor for dinner, drinks, dancing, and, naturally, bumper cars.