Sports students celebrate their success

Solent’s sports students were celebrated last week at their annual awards ceremony held at St Mary’s Stadium, home of Southampton Football Club.

BBC sports journalist Tony Husband once more returned to hosting duties, announcing the winners and keeping control of the evening. Guest of honour and presenting the awards was former England Rugby captain, Phil Vickery.

Two special awards were presented ahead of the official ceremony. The Rising Star Award was presented to Patrick Asher-Relf for his sportsmanship within wheelchair rugby. The Alumni Award was given to Greg Bridet, whose talent in boxing was supported throughout his time at Solent.

Speaking to a packed room, Phil Vickery started the night by advising the sports students, “There’s no such thing as ‘I could’ve done that’. Just do it.”

Receiving a warm welcome, Phil commented, “It is important to recognise sporting achievement – it gives young people so much, and celebrations like this help cement the learning from the sports field.”

In addition to the celebrating individual and team success through the sporting calendar, there was a special mention for Phil Green, Director of Solent Sport. After 20 years, Phil is retiring from the University and the students gave him a great send off, with a special recognition presentation at the ceremony.

Phil said, “It’s been an amazing 20 years here at Solent and I am delighted at the way the sports teams have grown and encompassed so many sports and so many students. I am proud of what our students have achieved, and that is confirmed by celebrating the wide variety of success in local and national competition we have here this evening.” 

Second-year student Charlotte Berry, a member of the ladies cricket team, which won Sunsail UK team of the year – BUCS leagues, said: “We’ve all played really well this year so I’m really proud of the team for this award. It was a great night, and I’m looking forward to going again next year.

“The team would like to thank Phil Green for his commitment and support to the Women's Cricket and we wish him all the best for the future.”

Solent Sport organises over 30 sports clubs, including wheelchair rugby, sub aqua, snow sports and football. Full details can be found on the Solent Sport section of our website.

Take a look at photos from the night on Facebook. The full list of winners can be seen below.

Individual success

Kyle Clark Harewood – BUCS Judo Bronze

Terry Krubu – BUCS Boxing Bronze

Maksims Tkancheno – BUCS Boxing Silver

Coliseum Coaches Female Newcomer of the Year

Zuzana Majakova, table tennis

Coliseum Coaches Male Newcomer of the Year

Patrick Jones, basketball

Canon Coach of the Year

Richard Browning, cricket

Wooden Spoon Contribution to Sport

Primrose Kavanagh, wheelchair rugby and basketball

Sunsail Team of the Year

Ladies cricket

Sunsail Team of the Year – BUCS Cups

Men’s cricket

Perform Better Team of the Year – Non BUCS

Ladies basketball

Perform Better Club of the Year

Men’s rugby

Southampton Football Club Sportswoman of the Year

Ekemini Essien, basketball

Southampton Football Club Sportsman of the Year

Danny Ricks, table tennis

Team success

• Men’s Rugby, BUCS 4a League Champions
• Men’s Squash, BUCS 3a League Champions
• Men’s Basketball 2s, BUCS 3a League Champions
• Men’s Football 3s, BUCS 7a League Champions
• Ladies’ Cricket, BUCS 1a League Champions
• Ladies’ Football, BUCS 2a League Champions
• Cheerleading/dance, ICC & Future Cheer Championships Medallists
• Ladies’ Basketball Division 1, Basketball England National League Division 1 Champions
• Ladies’ Indoor Cricket, BUCS National Final – 3^rd place
• Men's Indoor Cricket, BUCS National Champions