Last night, Cheltenham Town Hall played host to a truly unforgettable celebration of student achievement, as the University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union Awards brought together the student community. The event was a complete sell-out, buzzing with energy from the moment guests arrived.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, a huge thank you goes to the student band The Damsels, who delivered two amazing live sets. Guests were also wowed by a talented magician who moved from table to table with tricks, while the photobooth proved a huge hit, capturing snapshots of the night and giving everyone a chance to take home a fun reminder of the celebrations.
The room was filled with a mix of attendees, societies, sports clubs, sports scholars, course representatives, coaches, university staff, and many more. What made the evening so special was not just the recognition of individual and group success, but the shared sense of belonging and community that defines our Students’ Union. #UPTHEGLOS
At its heart, the Students’ Union exists to champion the student voice, enhance the student experience, and help individuals find their communities. That impact was unmistakably clear throughout the evening. From the cheers that echoed across the hall to the genuine support shown for every nominee.
The awards showcased the remarkable breadth of what students achieve beyond their studies. From leading campaigns and representing peers to excelling in sport and building thriving societies, the evening highlighted just how much students contribute to university life. One particularly powerful moment came when a coach, seeing one of their players nominated for Course Rep of the Year, remarked: “Wow, I didn’t know one of my players was involved in all these things.” It perfectly captured the spirit of the night.
Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that UoG students have achieved an extraordinary amount. The volume of nominations alone spoke volumes, making the shortlisting process incredibly difficult. Narrowing each category down to just six nominees, to then selecting a winner, was no easy task. Importantly, the evening wasn’t just about those who took home awards, every nomination was a winner. Not receiving an award does nothing to diminish the incredible contributions made across the student body.
A huge congratulations goes to all of this year’s winners:
- Inclusivity Award – Tabletop
- Most Engaged Society with the SU – Nintendo
- Most Engaged Club with the SU - Woman's Football
- Course reps of the year (EHS) - Nathan Welham, Mia Edwards
- Course reps of the year (ACE) - Noah Eary, Jack Gogh
- Course reps of the year (BCSS) - Erika Messineo, Annabel Tindall
- Welfare Rep of the year - Karina Whelan
- Coach of the year - Jay Woodley
- Society member of the year - James Pryer, Darts
- Club member of the year - Josh Apostolidis, Men's Football
- Most Improved Soc - Book Club
- Most Improved Club – Volleyball
- Best campaign Initiative – Women’s Football
- Changemaker of the Year - Michael Gamble
- Event of the year – Dance Competition
- Destined for Success – Jack Tozer
- Collaboration of the Year - Womens Rugby Union x DJ
- Best Marketed Student Group of the Year – Netball
- Performance of the Year - Rugby League Cup Final
- Fundraiser of the year - Tash Bash
- President of the Year - Daniel Neate
- Club Captain of the Year - Macsen Rhys-Williams
- Legacy Award - Michael Gamble
- Sports Scholar of the Year - Cara Mackay
- Award for Sporting Impact & Excellence – Dan Page
- Award for Society Community Excellence - Noah Earey
- Sports Personality of the Year – Ben Brown
- Society of the year – Darts
- Club of the year – Men’s Football
Beyond the awards themselves, the evening was a powerful reminder of what makes the Students’ Union so special - the people. The passion, commitment, and willingness to get involved were evident in every corner of the room. Whether through leadership roles, participation, or simply supporting others, students continue to shape a thriving and inclusive community.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the students who bring the Students’ Union to life, as well as the dedicated staff working tirelessly behind the scenes. Appreciation also goes to course leaders and lecturers for their support of course representatives, and to Sport and Active Life for their continued partnership and encouragement. And of course, thank you to everyone who attended and made the night so memorable.
A word from the Officers
"Getting to present the SU Awards last night was such an honour for both of us. Having both spent previous years as students sitting in the audience, it felt like a full circle moment to be able to hand out awards this year to some incredibly deserving groups and individuals. Working closely alongside so many of you across the year, wether that’s on campaigns, student council, committee members or just chtting to you about campus, we loved getting to celebrate you all and the incredible things you do. One of the things that felt so special was seeing you celebrate one another cheering and supporting for every nominee and every winner. A huge well done from us!"
- Freya and Bianca
As the evening came to a close, there was a strong sense that this was more than just an awards ceremony, it was a celebration of community, growth, achievements and friendship. If last night proved anything, it proved why we are all proud to belong to #TeamGlos