Our Team UOP is back for another acadomic year! Meet our new Exec Officers, see what clubs have been up to and what's coming this November!
Wow, October has been and gone already! It’s been a jam-packed month full of great performances, fun activities and events, welcoming over 2,300 students into the Team UOP community. Our new Team UOP Exec Officers have been settling into their roles, introducing themselves below before we dive in to see what our clubs have been up to!
Team UOP Exec Inclusion Officer - Libby Middleditch
Hi, I’m Libby, and I am the Inclusion Officer this year! I have spent four years in Athletics, and I am currently undertaking my Masters in International Relations. I have taken on the roles of RAG/Events and President, and alongside my exec role this year, I am also the Cross-Country captain.
My time in Team UOP has been phenomenal so far, and I have always said that Athletics was the thing that stopped me from dropping out after struggling to settle in during my first year. I am a massive advocate for all the advantages that come with being a member of Team UOP. It has helped with my mental wellbeing, developed me personally and professionally, and allowed me to meet so many people and make lasting memories.
My motivation for applying for the Inclusion Officer role was to ensure that as many UoP students as possible can benefit from these experiences the way that I have. Therefore, I’m keen to improve the retention of Team UOP members, remove any barriers that prevent participation and spread the messages of vital awareness campaigns through sport.
I’m really excited to see what the year brings and have really enjoyed the first month, getting involved has truly reminded me how much I love sport!
Team UOP Exec Media Officer - Tala Murley
Hello, I’m Tala, and I'm this year's Media Officer! I have been a member of the University of Portsmouth Dance Club for three years and am currently studying a Masters in Film and Television Production.
Previously, as part of the Dance Club, I had the amazing opportunity to serve on the committee as Media Secretary (and Dance won Media Club of the Year!), but this year I'm serving as Development Officer alongside my Exec role.
As Media Officer, I primarily manage the Team UOP social media pages, and I am here as an aid and a way to represent members across the Team UOP community as a whole! This year I really wanted to further develop my involvement in the Team UOP media as it’s one of my greatest passions, alongside my love for sport and especially dance, of course!
In taking on this role, I want to better represent all areas of Team UOP and therefore can’t wait to keep meeting all of you!
Team UOP Exec Events Officer – Katie Kimber
Hi, I am Katie, the Events Officer! I am studying BSc Marine Environmental Science, and I am in my third year. It is my second year of running the Movember campaign on campus with my Mo-Team! Additionally, I am the Women’s Rugby Vice-President and regularly train and compete in BUCS.
I am super excited about what our events can bring to Team UOP and the wider university community this year! I am working in collaboration with clubs' Events officers to help organise and bring a wider civic impact through charity and fundraising events.
The Movember campaign is already underway, and it is looking incredibly busy and exciting! I am very passionate about Team UOP’s wider impact and contribution to the community, working with local charities like the Life House and Pompey in the Community. We also have other exciting campaigns coming up, such as Yellow Week for Sophie's Legacy, so don't miss out!
Team UOP Exec Performance Officer - Clay Watson
Hey guys, I’m Clay, your performance officer! I’m currently studying Biomedical Science in my third year, and it is my third year playing first-team BUCS Tennis for the university. I have been on committee for two years, on top of that, this is my second year working with the wider Team UOP community, outside of my roles in tennis.
Being a part of Tennis has created such a strong foundation for me, on top of a huge network of connections from my time in Portsmouth, allowing me to meet all the different people I know currently and hopefully all of you. I’m buzzing for what this year has to offer and how I can add to Team UOP through my various roles, working with the many sports clubs and the Exec team to make this year a year to remember.
As a Social Sec last year, I got a taste of what committee life was like with all the highs and lows that you face whilst being a student. My time was amazing, and I eventually decided to apply for the Club Captain role, mainly due to a few of my first Tennis club mates being the Club Captains in previous years, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. A major reason I applied for the Performance Officer role was due to my passion for competitive sports, wanting to improve at the highest level and watch the success of many of our great sports clubs (including my own aha).
I wish everyone the best of luck in their BUCS season, and I'm looking forward to working with you all. See you around!!
What has Team UOP been up to in October?
Start of the BUCS Season
Our clubs have had an incredibly strong start to the season, with some huge wins from Women’s Rugby, winning 42-0 against KCL as well as the Women’s Lacrosse team taking the win with 28-0 against Royal Holloway. Men’s and Women’s Cricket are undefeated in their BUCS Indoors campaign with 8 wins in 8 matches. The Water Polo team was additionally awarded BUCS Milk Every Moment of the Week for winning 55-0 against Surrey.
Rowing hosted BUCS Indoors at Ravelin Sports Centre, claiming the top position in both the Men's and Women’s Beginner 1k and raising £150 for their Club. Huge congratulations to Oliver, who won the open 1k and set a club record! The club also made a feature in a British Rowing article, truly some amazing achievements!
Great South Run 2026
Team UOP took on the Great South Run this October, 36 members ran, 18 volunteered, and 6 charities were supported. The day saw some incredible efforts put in by everyone, as well as some outstanding PB performances, including Athletics club members who have truly hit the track running this month. Rhys Jones, our Athletics Engagement Officer and Movember Ambassador, claimed a PB, completing with a time of 67 minutes, saying afterwards that “it was hard work, but the atmosphere was electric. Top stuff.”
Swim4Seals and Battle of Committees
Swim and Water Polo held their annual Swim4Seals event, 16 clubs made a splash, with Climbing claiming victory and raising £805 for Seal Rescue Ireland. Another popular event also made its mark in October. Gym and Trampolining’s Battle of the Committees event raised £560, with 40% of the proceeds being donated to the British Heart Foundation. Huge well done to Blake Heath, Swim’s Events Officer and Lucy Gray, Gym and Trampolining’s Event Officer, and the rest of their committees and club for helping the event run!
The Takeover
We took over Ravelin Sports Centre on a Friday evening this month, supporting new and returning students who are less involved in sport or wanted to try something new to get involved in multiple activities ranging from learning to swim, using the gym and trying out our sports clubs. Clay and Libby threw themselves into the evening, participating in too many activities to count! The event was extremely enjoyable and the atmosphere even encouraged Libby to give the climbing wall a go, despite her fear of heights!
More Fun with Team UOP
Away from the sporting element, our clubs hosted some seasonal activities, helping new members settle and integrate into the club and have lots of fun! Athletics got creative with some sign-making before supporting at the Great South Run and Dance, and decorated glasses ahead of their competition season. Pumpkins were carved, board games were played, and Portsmouth explored with a Weekend Wander!
Boxing’s twins Chris and Johnny Taylor were invited on ITV News Meridian and spoke about their positive experience in foster care, which enabled them to go on to succeed. The pair advocate for more people to become foster carers, aiming to help others experiencing similar situations benefit in the way that they have.
See Chris's and Johnny's interview
Lacrosse made a special feature in an England Lacrosse article, discussing the work of the club’s work in helping potential players find the sport through social media content.
Women's Football - Pumpkin carving
Dance - Competition glasses decorating
Equestrian - Pumpkin carving
Athletics - Weekend Wander around Southsea
Next Month!
After a busy month, another one is just around the corner! November is always a huge month for Team UOP, filled with campaigns, events, and more matches and competitions as the BUCS season continues.
Movember 2026
The month-long Movember campaign is about to begin, kicking off with the ‘Big Mo Talk’, on Monday 2 November, from this year’s Movember Ambassadors which will raise awareness of the campaign’s key messages as well as how to get involved. Special mention and introduction to our Movember Ambassadors this year: Katie Kimber from our very own exec and Women’s Rugby, Rhys Jones from Athletics, Millie Chauhan from Boxing, and Matt Cole from Squash!
Our clubs have got 10 events lined up for the campaign as well as ‘Inside Out Day’ on Wednesday 11 November, which take place during our BUCS games and training sessions, encouraging openness about internal struggles which might not be visible on the surface.
You can get involved by joining your club’s Mo Space, signing up to some of the events and engaging in raising awareness for the cause. Speak to your club’s Events Officer or one of the Movember Ambassadors to get some more information and support on how to participate!
This month has really shown what Team UOP is all about, members have challenged themselves and come together to support each other and important causes. We can’t wait to see what November has in store!