Oxford University Sports Awards 2010-11

The accomplishments of Oxford sportsmen and women over the past year were recognized at the Oxford University Sports Awards on 24 November. Sports Federation President Helen Hanstock welcomed representatives of our 85 sports clubs and teams before highlighting that there are more than twenty Oxonians, past and present, who are currently in training for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Helen said, “These figures are astounding proof that Oxford can excel in sport in the same way as we can excel academically. With fundraising well underway for the Iffley Road redevelopment, the only way is up for Oxford’s sporting provision”.

We were honoured to be joined by Sir Matthew Pinsent, four-time Olympic Gold medallist, former Oxford University Boat Club President and Oxford Blue. Sir Matthew outlined the impact that taking part in sport at Oxford had on his illustrious career before announcing the evening’s award winners.

Oxford University Sports Federation/British Universities and Colleges Performance of the Year

Cycling Club

The Cycling Club has secured more British Universities and Colleges (BUCS) points than any other club or team over the past year, improving on the previous year’s achievements. The club enjoyed particular success at the Indoor Track Championships, despite the nearest indoor cycling track being two hours drive away in Newport, Wales.

Atalanta’s Teammate

Jen Ayers

Jen Ayers (Lacrosse)

For the past six years Jen has been at the heart of Oxford lacrosse, progressing from Social Secretary to Vice-Captain and Fitness trainer, and finally taking on Presidency of the club (including men and mixed) in her fourth year. On the pitch Jen has always been someone to look up to, unfailingly enthusiastic during practice, demanding high standards of all participants but also being incredibly supportive and encouraging.

Coach of the Year

Raj Rout (Lacrosse)

Raj was selected for his energy, enthusiasm and longstanding support of Oxford Lacrosse. Raj is the heart and soul of Oxford Lacrosse, and his nomination was backed by every member of the Women’s Lacrosse Squad. Aside from his technical coaching proficiency, Raj's dedication to the team is inspiring. Four years ago he was an unpaid assistant coach, and now accepts the most nominal of fees for giving up much of his precious free time. He is a full-time orthopaedic surgeon at the John Radcliffe Hospital and is completing his thesis as an academic clinical fellow.

Club of the Year

Oxford University Cross Country Club (OUCCC)

The cross country club enjoyed an exceptional year. They won the Varsity match series 5-2, winning all races with selected teams. At BUCS the men’s team finished third with three athletes in the top 20, beating lottery funded institutions including Loughborough. The women’s team finished fifth – another strong result. OUCCC also saw increased participation over the last year, in particular as a result of introducing ‘The Socials’ running group for more recreational runners.

Elmer Cotton/Canterbury Team of the Year

OUYC Dinghy Racing 1st Team

Highlights of the team’s 2011 season included defending their British Universities Sailing Association title in the team racing championship, convincingly beating sailing capital Southampton University in the final. At the UK Team Racing Association National Championships, the Oxford First Team reached the semi-final before being beaten by the GBR 1 team, beating all other university teams and several strong open teams, including GBR 2 and GBR 3. The team also finished thirteenth and top university team in the highly prestigious Wilson Trophy.

BP Sportswoman of the Year

Kathryn Twyman (Lightweight Rowing)

Kathryn represented Great Britain at the first world cup of 2011 in Munich and together with crewmate Andrea Dennis won a silver medal in the lightweight women's double scull. At the European Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Kathryn raced in the lightweight women's double scull again with Andrea, winning silver. Kathryn then went on to win gold at the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia, racing in the lightweight women's quad.

Walter’s Sportsman of the Year

Jack Marriott (Swimming)

In November 2010 at the BUCS short course, Jack won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly and won the 50m butterfly in a time that ranked him number one in the UK for the season. Jack repeated the feat in February at BUCS Long Course where he won the 50m butterfly again in his first ever long course race. A month later Jack won gold in the 50m butterfly at the British Championships in Sheffield. Jack has now been selected for the elite eight member Intensive Training Centre squad at Loughborough, which includes two world record holders and three Commonwealth champions. Jack is taking a year out from studying to train for the Olympic trials in March, with the aim of making the team in the 100m butterfly.

The Cuppers Trophy

Casper Eliot of New College receives the Cuppers trophy from Sir Matthew Pinsent

New College

The overall Cuppers Championship results are calculated using the results of all college competitions. We award five points for a win and two points for a runner up across all official ‘Cuppers’ competitions held during the 20010-2011 academic year. New College secured victories in Athletics, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Football and 5-a-side, as well as being runners up in seven different sports including Men’s Football, Cricket and Hockey and Women’s Hockey and Tennis.

For more photographs of the evening, see Oxford Univeristy Sport's Facebook page.