2026 Edinburgh University Sports Ball Award Winners

Gymnastics Club

The Gymnastics Club produced an outstanding year of communications, building a dynamic multi-platform presence across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and a new monthly newsletter. 

Highlights included weekly features such as “Skill Sunday” and “Fail Friday”, professional competition vlogs and high-quality content that boosted engagement and recruitment. The club actively supported university-wide recognition with a feature from Scottish Gymnastics after success at the Adult British Championships. 

Their strong, consistent and inclusive publicity showcased both the club’s achievements and welcoming community. 

Murray Dickson – Swimming & Water Polo

Murray achieved unprecedented success in his first year at University, becoming the first Scottish athlete in decades to captain Great Britain U20s, earning GB selection for the World Aquatics World Cup where he scored against South Africa, and winning two full senior Scotland caps. He played a pivotal role in Stirling Water Polo’s strongest season to date and was a key starter for the University of Edinburgh, finishing as the team’s second-highest scorer.

Named Scottish Junior Player of the Year, Murray combined elite international sport with a demanding engineering degree, establishing himself as one of Scotland’s most exciting young water polo talents. 

Korfball

The Korfball Club placed a strong emphasis on equality, accessibility and community outreach within one of the University’s most beginner-friendly sports. The club expanded its partnerships, delivered school and youth sessions, supported national inclusion campaigns, and ran dedicated beginner training and tournaments. 

With three teams catering to both competitive and social players, alongside leadership development for new coaches and referees, the club continued to grow participation and strengthened its welcoming, mixed-gender sporting community. 

Cricket Club

In 2024/25, the Cricket Club transformed its alumni engagement efforts, launching a structured newsletter and reviving in-person events for the first time in years. With improved communications, the club saw alumni re-engage from as far back as the 1960s and secured its largest donation in years, more than doubling its alumni fund. These funds were used to launch “The Highland Smash”, a new mixed, recreational indoor tournament. 

Alumni were invited to attend key fixtures including Varsity, summer derbies, the MCC Match and the Leavers vs. New Students game, while also getting involved in charity events and supporting volunteering opportunities. Finally, two major alumni gatherings in London attracted more than 40 attendees, helping final-year students build connections and easing the transition into the post-university community. 

The 2024/25 season marked a significant step forward in strengthening the club’s long-term alumni network.

James Hammond – Orienteering

James delivered a standout season on both the national and international stage. Domestically, he won the Men’s U20 JK Sprint and Long titles, the British Middle and Long Championships, the U20 Scottish title and the overall Scottish Six Days crown. Internationally, he placed 4^th at the Junior World Championships and secured top 10 finishes at the Junior European Cup. At his first BUCS, he finished 2^nd individually and anchored the men’s relay team to victory. Alongside his performances, he contributed significantly to the club, supporting newcomers and helping organise major club events. 

Edinburgh University Dons FC

Founded in December 2024 by five students, Edinburgh University Dons FC rapidly expanded into a 60-member club running both 11-a-side and 5-a-side teams. In their debut season, they entered the Sunday League and remained undefeated. 

The team is fully inclusive, with several beginners now regular starts through strong coaching and culture. They also established an international partnership with Braga FC Supporters Society and travelled to Porto for a football and cultural exchange, marking a standout year.

Tennis Club

The Tennis Club delivered its most successful year to date, reaching a record 381 members, expanded inclusive playing opportunities, and launched a new Student Coaching Programme that strengthened coaching quality, while developing future leaders. 

Performance highlights included the Women’s 1’s reaching the National Championships semi-finals, the Women’s 2’s winning the Conference Cup and Heather Barlow claiming the Tennis Scotland Open Tour title. 

The club raised over £2,500 for charity, earned both the Tennis Scotland University of the Year and the LTA Excellence Award, and was featured in an LTA case study for innovation and community impact, cementing its status as one of Scotland’s leading university tennis programmes.

Callum Hand

In March 2025, Callum completed a self-funded solo run of the entire length of Denmark, covering 500klm from Skagen to Padborg in 5.5 consecutive days, averaging 80km per day. The expedition was completed in a time consistent with the fastest recorded crossing on Denmark on foot.

Undertaken to test human endurance and raise funds for the Scottish MND charity ‘My Name’ 5 Doddie Foundation’, the run raised over £2,000 for research and support services. Supported by a single crew member, the challenge was completed under extreme physical strain, including injury, sleep deprivation and severe weather.

Documented throughout on social media and endurance platforms, the expedition gained international attention, including Danish media coverage and fostered meaningful cultural connections with communities along the route. The run combined athletic achievement with charitable impact, storytelling and inspiration – demonstrating resilience, purpose and global engagement. 

Isobel Clements – Rowing

Isobel enjoyed a breakthrough year, becoming one of the Rowing Club’s most successful athletes in recent history. She won the Rowing Ireland U23 trials, then stunned the field at senior trials by winning the lightweight single ahead of reigning World Champion, earning immediate selection for the Irish national team. She went on to place 4^th in the A final at the Senior European Championships, setting new Club records in both lightweight and open weight singles. She later represented Ireland at the U23 World Championships and continued to play a key role for the University, stroking the women’s first eight at major domestic events.

To individuals for major services to their Club and/or to University sports

Alistair Murison – Motorsport

During 2024/25, Alistair transformed the Motorsport Club as Vice President and Rally Coordinator. He delivered Scotland’s first student-led Motorsport UK-permitted navigational rally in over a decade, secured Motorsport UK affiliation, and expanded access through grant funding and low-cost events. His leadership increased participation, strengthened national connections and helped the club win the Col R.B. Campbell Trophy for Most Improved Club.

Bethany Watters – Motorsport

Over four years, Bethany has transformed the club through outstanding leadership, serving multiple terms as President, Secretary and Publicity & Alumni Officer. She doubled membership, restructured the committee for sustainability, professionalised social media, strengthened alumni links, and championed inclusion, particularly for women, creating a welcoming, supportive culture with lasting impact across the club and Sports Union.

Greg Mitchell – Athletics

During 2024/25, Greg made an outstanding contribution to athletics as Men’s Captain. He increased membership by around 40%, improved retention and session quality, expanded coaching provision and strengthened links with local clubs. He showed exceptional leadership, mentoring members, supporting schools outreach, and contributing nationally through officiating and elected roles within Scottish Student Athletics.

India Rankin – Swimming & Water Polo

As Sports Union Media Officer, India modernised and unified EUSU’s visual identity. She delivered professionally branded campaigns used across the Union, built sustainable design systems, and introduced shared resources and workshops to support club publicity officers. Balancing elite sport and study, she strengthened representation, accessibility and creative engagement across university sport, leaving a lasting visual and cultural legacy.

Izzy Hardy – Netball

Izzy demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience, continuing to lead and support the club despite a season-ending injury. She coached the 3s team to a BUCS Tier 1 runners-up finish, delivered extensive community outreach, launched a successful youth summer camp raising over £1,000 and strengthened the club’s finances as Treasurer, making a lasting impact on players, performance and sustainability.

Katie Chubb – Netball

Katie has shown outstanding dedication as CENA Umpire Secretary and BUCS Co-Captain, managing 14 umpires, over 160 fixtures and mentoring aspiring officials while completing her own qualifications. She strengthened junior netball, supported national events, and led her team to a BUCS Tier 3 runners-up finish. Her leadership, commitment and impact on Edinburgh University and Scottish Netball have been exceptional.

Zoe Bradford – Gymnastics

Since 2020, Zoe has shown exceptional dedication to Edinburgh University Gymnastics Club, serving in multiple coaching, judging, and committee roles, and as 2024/25 Captain.

She established coaching CPD sessions, created educational resources, led acrobatics competitions and introduced the first Scottish Universities Acro Judging Workshop. Her initiatives increased participation, improved coaching quality, and expanded competitive opportunities nationally.

Zoe’s leadership, selflessness and commitment to accessibility have profoundly strengthened the club, inspired members and left a lasting impact on gymnastics across Scotland.

Hockey Men’s 1’s 

The Hockey Men’s 1’s enjoyed a landmark season, winning BUCS Premier North unbeaten, securing promotion to BUCS National Premier and lifting the BUCS Vase. Their success saw them named BUCS Team of the Year. Domestically, they became the first men’s university team to win the Scottish Hockey Cup and finished third in the Scottish Premiership. Five squad members, alongside their coach, earned senior Scotland caps at the FIH Nations Cup 2, where the team claimed the international title.

History Boys RFC

History Boys RFC produced an exceptional season, winning the Intramural Rugby League with a high-scoring campaign and strong commitment to training. Off the pitch, the team grew to 45 members, secured multiple sponsorships and expanded development pathways for players of ranging experience. Their charitable impact was equally impressive, completing over 2,100 miles for Doddie Aid and raising £4,768 for the ‘My Name 5’ Doddie Foundation, alongside extensive Movember involvement and a successful charity match and ball.

Gymnastics Club

The Gymnastics Club delivered its most successful year to date, achieving a record medal haul at the Adult British Championships (1 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze) and taking its largest team ever. The club expanded development opportunities by running its first CPD session, the first university judging workshop in Scotland and its inaugural coaches’ awards night. Member experience improved through new communications, socials and enhanced recognition initiatives. Significant investment in safety equipment and expanded outreach provided opportunities for non-students and disadvantaged young people. The club also led a blood-donation drive and continued to grow recreational pathways, strengthening accessibility across the sport.