From community campaigns to record-breaking fundraising and social media milestones, we honour the incredible Team UOP Exec as they wrap up an unforgettable year and step into new beginnings.
Each year, the Team UOP Exec brings something special to the world of student sport and this year has been no exception.
This year’s team, made up of five dedicated students - Lydia Sellen, Ben Heyes, Georgia Chaffey, Ben Green, and Ishbel Maclellan - has contributed their time, energy, and ideas to make Team UOP sport even more inclusive, connected, and vibrant. Through their work, they’ve continued the tradition of championing student voice, wellbeing, performance, and community.
As they come to the end of their Exec roles (and, for most, their university journey), we want to take a moment to say thank you. Join us in celebrating their achievements, their dedication, and the lasting impact they’ve had on the Team UOP community.
Lydia Sellen
Media Officer
- Gymnastics and Trampolining (President)
- BSc Sport and Exercise Psychology
Lydia’s creative spark and storytelling instinct have turned the Team UOP Instagram and TikTok channels into hubs of connection and celebration. With over 70 Reels and 120+ posts shared this year, she’s given every club a voice and every student-athlete their moment in the spotlight.
From the ever-popular Winning Wednesday and Club Lineup Spotlights to heartfelt campaigns like Movember, Black History Month, and We Care About Not Caring, Lydia’s content has been fun, fierce, and full of purpose.
She didn’t just run social media - she used it as a force for inclusion, mental health awareness, and club pride. We also can’t forget Scholar Stories, where Lydia teamed up with Ben H. to give followers a behind-the-scenes look at student-athletes lives.
Lydia also won the UOP Special Recognition award for raising the profile of sport at the University of Portsmouth through social media and her incredible work throughout the year. As part of this award, she was nominated for the National BUCS Chris Potter Volunteer of the Year award and we are very pleased to say that Lydia is the Regional Winner for the South East!
Top Media Wins:
- 2M+ impressions on Instagram
- 70+ reels and 120+ posts
- Inclusion-focused campaigns and community-building content
- Pioneered club takeovers and new features like Scholar Stories
This year has been absolutely incredible and I’ve had so much fun in this role! It has been an absolute pleasure to have worked alongside all the amazing media secs and the fabulous exec team who have made my final year at Portsmouth the most memorable. Being the Media officer has genuinely been one of the best experiences of my time at uni! I’ve loved every second of creating content and celebrating all the amazing things Team UoP has achieved. From late-night editing to calling Ravelin a second home, it’s been such a fun, rewarding role, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Thank you!
Ben Heyes
Performance Officer
- Men’s Rugby (President)
- BSc Sport and Exercise Science
Ben’s leadership went beyond the pitch. As Performance Officer, he worked tirelessly to mentor athletes, design strength and conditioning programmes, and support the Sports Scholar Programme’s growth and visibility.
He became a go-to support for Club Captains, helped shape social media strategy, and collaborated with Lydia to highlight scholar success stories.
But Ben also delivered when it mattered most: on game day. As one of the two Student team managers, he led and organised the Students vs Staff Charity Football Match at Fratton Park. It was an unforgettable event that brought over £12,000 for Portsmouth in the Community and boosted university spirit.
This year, Ben also played a key role in the University’s Movember efforts. As a student ambassador for the foundation, he helped lead fundraising activities alongside Ben Green and Lottie Parker, support that helped raise over £16,500 and saw Portsmouth inducted into the Movember Hall of Fame.
Performance Highlights:
- Strength & Conditioning coaching for scholars
- Scholar-focused media content with Lydia
- Co-led the Fratton Park Students vs Staff Charity Football match
- Key role in Movember fundraising (£16.5K+ raised university-wide!)
For anyone thinking of getting involved with a sports club, recreationally or competitively, do it! This year, there’s been a greater sense of community across the entire University of Portsmouth Sport, and I’m so happy I could be a part of it. It’s definitely been tough at points, but being the Performance officer and being able to lean on the wonderful people in Team UoP and the officers, made every second worth it. I will certainly miss all of it, and I hope I’ve managed to have a positive impact on everyone I have and haven’t met. Thank you!
Georgia Chaffey
Welfare Officer
- Netball (Vice President)
- LLB Law
Georgia brought heart and purpose into every event she touched. As Welfare Officer, she made it her mission to prioritise student wellbeing, proving that sport isn’t just about winning, but also about belonging.
She led Brew Monday and Brewlympics, a Team UOP sports day that brought 100+ students together from 12 clubs. She also organised the Time to Talk Walk, continuing to raise awareness about mental health and sparking conversations that matter.
Her work over the holidays with a welfare signposting campaign, along with expanding #TeamUOPStandsTogether, shows her commitment to supporting students through both celebrations and challenges.
Welfare Wins:
- Brew Monday and Time to Talk Walk
- Expanded inclusion efforts via #TeamUOPStandsTogether
- Launched winter wellbeing signposting initiative
- Strong focus on smaller clubs
I have had so much fun in this role and it has been one of the most amazing experiences of my time here! I am so incredibly grateful to have met and worked alongside so many amazing people this year. Being a Welfare Officer and signposting support for Team UoP has not only been an amazing opportunity but also so rewarding. I’ve genuinely loved every moment of it and would recommend the role to anyone. Thank you to everyone who has made this journey so special and memorable for me. Team UoP Exec 24-25 over and out! I will miss you all so much next year.
Ben Green
RAG Officer
- Squash (President)
- BSc Computer Science
If there’s anyone who knows how to rally clubs for a good cause, it’s Ben Green. As RAG Officer, he’s helped lead a jaw-dropping fundraising effort, with Team UOP clubs donating an incredible £58,728.13 to charity.
Ben has coordinated and delivered the Raising and Giving strategic direction at the sports club level to incorporate Team UOP’s 34 clubs to participate in campaigns throughout the year, leading on Movember and the British Heart Foundation's Healthy Hearts campaign.
Ben oversaw over 100 student-led events and brought in educational campaigns to go beyond fundraising, encouraging students to volunteer and engage with life-changing issues. Ben has led initiatives that have raised over £100,000 for charity during his two years as Team UOP Exec officer, which is an incredible success!
And let’s not forget his proudest moment: managing the Students’ team with Ben Heyes at the Students vs Staff match. An unforgettable event that brought in £12,000 for Portsmouth in the Community and boosted the university spirit.
Ben has been nominated for the University’s Student Impact Award and has won the Outstanding Contribution to University Sport Award, which recognises individuals who exemplify the core values of Team UOP and University sport. Ben was recognised for going above and beyond in his role, contributing to the development of sport at Portsmouth, enhancing its profile and fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.
Fundraising Highlights:
- Over £58K raised for charity this year
- Over £100K raised and donated to charity over his two years as Team UOP Exec officer
- 100+ fundraising events across clubs
- Co-led the Staff vs Students team with passion and humour
- Pushed RAG beyond money - into awareness and volunteering
As the RAG officer this year, I have been able to lead the fundraising effort of all of the Team UoP sports clubs. Over the year, all sports clubs have put time and effort into raising money for charity, predominantly by hosting events to cater for the student body. This year, we have had a fantastic uptake from RAG with over 100 event forms submitted across all of the clubs. In total, Team UoP have donated £57,729.13 to charity. This year, there has been an additional focus placed on educational campaigns providing more to RAG than fundraising, challenging the student body to give their time to volunteer or learn some information that may become lifesaving.
Working alongside the rest of the exec, we have also worked hard to create and support various initiatives across the year to enhance the student experience. One of the more memorable ones for me was the Staff Vs Students football game where I got to live out my football manager fantasy and manage the student team to a 5-2 loss - which was a lot closer than it sounds I promise. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 2 years as RAG officer and am thankful to all the staff and RAG secs that have worked alongside me over this time and am excited to see where the role goes in the future.
Ishbel Maclellan
Widening Access Officer
- Dance (RAG/Events Sec)
- MSc International Criminal Justice and Intelligence
Ishbel has been the driving force behind initiatives that have made Team UOP more welcoming, more inclusive, and more connected. Her work on the We Care About Not Caring campaign gave clubs a platform to share their story.
She played a vital role in Black History Month, worked with local businesses, and made sure Team UOP wasn’t just looking inward but also outward.
Her work on Girls’ Night helped female students feel empowered and supported, even opening up coaching opportunities for female sports science students. And her online club promotion efforts encouraged more students to get involved in sports than ever before.
Access and Inclusion Achievements:
- Led “We Care About Not Caring” campaign
- Collected 200+ essential items for Reverse Advent Calendar
- Promoted club activity and roles online
- Helped build inclusive events like Girls’ Night
I’m really proud of the difference we have made this year, and it has been a privilege to help open more doors for students to feel seen, supported, and involved. I'd like to say a huge thank you to Katie for supporting me throughout!
Being a member of Team UOP’s executive committee has truly been the best experience, and I want to extend a huge thank you to Sport and Recreation for trusting me with this responsibility and for their support throughout the year! Holding the role as the 24/5 Widening Access Officer has been truly incredible, and I’m so proud of the work we have done as a team, such as supporting Girls’ Night, bringing awareness to different causes and creating a space for all within Team UoP!
Finally, to my incredible exec team, it has been an absolute privilege working alongside each of you. You are true legends, and I’m proud to say we’re friends for life! Ishbel, signing out!
“Our Team UoP Exec Officers are the heart of our University sport community, bringing our 34 Team UoP student sports clubs together through impactful campaigns, creative coordination, and powerful storytelling on social media. They champion the role of sport on and off the pitch, raising its profile across the University and the city.
As the student voice of Team UoP, they help build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone can thrive and achieve their best. Each year, I’m proud to support their journey and witness the dedication they bring. We are so proud of what the Exec Officers have achieved and the lasting impact they have made. They truly embody what it means to be Team UoP - Thank you.”
Zoe Monk
Senior Sports Welfare and Safeguarding Officer
To Lydia, Ben H., Georgia, Ben G., and Ishbel - thank you! You’ve gone above and beyond to make this year unforgettable for Team UOP and the wider University of Portsmouth community. From grassroots campaigns to flagship events, you’ve left your mark.
As most of you move on from your university journey, we hope you carry these experiences and friendships with you, knowing that you’ve made a real difference. You’ve lived the values of leadership, teamwork, compassion, and resilience, and wherever life takes you next, we know you’ll shine.
So here’s to you, the 2024/25 Team UOP Exec. Your work has been nothing short of exceptional, and your legacy will be long-lasting. And your next chapter? We can’t wait to see it!
Would you like to play your part? We're recruiting for next year's Team UOP Exec.
To be on the 2025-26 Team UOP Executive Committee, you'll need to be a registered student for the 2025-26 academic year and have at least one year of experience being on a Team UOP Sports Club committee.
You can play an active role in the continued development of sport at the University of Portsmouth. If you have enjoyed sport at the University of Portsmouth so much that you want to develop it to the best it can be, these are the roles for you. Develop your CV, enhance your employability and stand out from the crowd in job interviews with real impact across a range of areas. Play your part in developing the Team UoP community and supporting our students and our clubs to reach their potential. Ideas are one thing, bringing them to life is what these roles are about.
Would you like to have an impact on student sport and the wider community at the University of Portsmouth? Apply by 3 August.