Congratulations to Women's Football Club Captain Abi Nicol, who has been successfully selected to join the BUCS Women's Leadership Programme Cohort 2026/27.
Abi, who will be entering her second year as captain of the Women's Football Club, has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment and passion for creating positive experiences for students, making her selection a fantastic achievement for both herself and UoGSU.
The FA & BUCS Women's Leadership Programme is an internationally award-winning initiative delivered in partnership with Women in Football. The programme aims to support female and non-binary students who aspire to work within the football industry by developing the leadership skills, confidence, professional networks and industry knowledge needed to succeed after graduation.
Over nine months, participants take part in immersive learning experiences, practical challenges, mentoring and networking opportunities with professionals from across the football sector. The programme was recognised internationally with the FISU Gender Equality Project Award and has become one of the most respected leadership development opportunities available to students interested in the future of football.
Abi's selection comes as no surprise. Throughout her time at UoGSU, she has gone above and beyond in her role as Women's Football Club Captain, leading with enthusiasm, professionalism and care both on and off the pitch. Alongside captaining the club, Abi is entering her third year studying Sport and Exercise Science and also represents the University as a Student Ambassador, supporting prospective students and sharing her experiences of university life. Across all of these roles, she has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to her university community while dedicating countless hours to strengthening the Women's Football Club and enhancing the experience of its members.
Under Abi's leadership, the Women's Football Club has gone from strength to strength, with both Abi and the club receiving recognition through UoGSU's annual Sports Awards. The club was proudly recognised as Most Engaged Club with the Students' Union, reflecting the strong partnership Abi has helped to build between the committee and UoGSU, while also receiving the award for Best Campaign Initiative. These achievements highlight the positive impact of an engaged committee. By working closely with the Students' Union, committees can access greater support, training, funding and opportunities, enabling them to create meaningful initiatives and deliver an even better experience for their members.
Abi has also shown real leadership beyond football. She led the club's involvement in campaigns such as 12 Days of Activism, raising awareness of gender-based violence and encouraging important conversations across our student community. Her willingness to use sport as a platform for positive change perfectly reflects the values of both UoGSU and the Women's Leadership Programme.
The knowledge, confidence and professional network Abi will gain through the Women's Leadership Programme will not only support her own ambitions within the football industry but will also have a lasting impact on UoGSU. We look forward to seeing her bring fresh ideas, share her learning with future student leaders and continue championing opportunities for women in sport across our university community.
Everyone at UoGSU is incredibly proud of Abi and this well-deserved achievement. We can't wait to follow her journey throughout the programme and see the positive impact she continues to make, both within our Students' Union and beyond.
Congratulations, Abi!