Celebrating Student success at the Team UOP Sports Awards 2026

After a fantastic weekend of sport, narrowly missing out on a Varsity victory by only four fixture wins, we move to Sports Awards 2026. 

The whole of Team UOP came together to celebrate the successes, triumphs and dedications of student sport at the University of Portsmouth. Wednesday 13 May marked the culmination of another fantastic year of sport. Across the day, we celebrate everyone who makes sport possible, bringing together athletes, volunteers, coaches, interns and supporters.

Sports Reception 

The day of celebrations kicked off with our Sports Reception, taking place in the Lord Mayor’s Room at the prestigious Portsmouth Guildhall. The Sports Reception celebrates and recognises the wider impact of student leadership and sport across the university, in the local community and beyond. We were delighted to be joined by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Galbraith CBE, as well as our valued partner Carrington West, and South Coast RX Physiotherapy, who continue to support the development and wellbeing of our student athletes. We’d like to congratulate all of our finalists, winners and all of those who submitted nominations. The winners and finalists reflected the dedication, spirit and commitment that define our sporting community. 

Sports Awards 

The Sports Awards ceremony that followed was a true celebration of our community, an opportunity to celebrate with even more Team UOP members. An opportunity to spotlight the individuals and clubs that make Team UOP so special. With over 990 club and individual nominations received, the standard was high. The scale and quality of the submissions reflect the passion, dedication and commitment of our students this year. We must say, this has been one of the strongest, most competitive years on record, with exceptional participation and quality across the board. 

From BUCS podium finishes to the quiet consistency of weekly training sessions, from leading committees to championing inclusive sport, every contribution has shaped a remarkable year. Our 34 sports clubs, 300 committee members, and 3,000+ club members have represented Portsmouth across competitions, community events, and everything in between. We’ve had promotions, unbeaten league runs, cup wins and some dominant consistency in multiple sports.  

This year has also seen impressive milestones: Another Top 40 place in the BUCS National Rankings, over £50,000 raised for charity, nearly 10,000 students participating in activity, over 1 million visits to Sport and Recreation services, and more than 50,000 hours of sports volunteering delivered. 

But beyond the statistics, the heart of Team UOP lies in its people. Sport at Portsmouth is more than competition - it’s about leadership, resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of growth. Every late-night session, early morning workout, and moment of encouragement has helped create a lasting legacy. 

To all our athletes, teams, coaches, support staff, recreational participants, volunteers, organisers, and committee members - thank you. Your contributions, whether visible on the scoreboard or behind the scenes, are what make Team UOP the success it is. You’ve each played a part in creating an environment where students can thrive, lead, and connect through sport. 

As we celebrated the outstanding finalists and award winners, we were reminded that success isn’t just about medals, it’s about effort, progress, and the positive impact we have on others. 

To those graduating, thank you for leaving your mark. You’ll always be part of the Team UOP family. And to those returning next year - we can’t wait to build on everything you’ve achieved. 

Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners. You’ve made 2026 a year to remember.