By: Jack Davis Students of Thames Valley University swapped there red and Black kits for glamorous dresses and sharp suits. The 2010 TVU sports awards hosted by Raoul Sanchez and Calley Wilson laid on a show to reward all the hard work for all the sports men and woman of our university.
Recent news of cuts to funding for the university's sport teams along with other aspects of uni life means continuing to improve our teams is going to become more challenging. But the annual sports awards was a gleaming example of how vital sport is to a university. Vice president of Recreation Raoul Sanchez said "the importance of sport at university cannot be underestimated. Through the amount of people that come together, new faces and old, friendships flourishes and the essence of being a team are laid".
The banter and camaraderie present on the night was a perfect example of this. The night started out with the half and club colours awarded for hard work and great commitment to their teams. Then the player's player awards, which are voted for by the players within the teams itself. Congratulations to Sean Lucas for men's football, Karlis Gross in men's basketball, Maria Padro Casa of women's basketball, Nick Kowalski Men's rugby, Charrissa Castillo women's rugby and Hannah Bosley for netball.
Maria Padro Casa of women's basketball and Sean Lucas of men's football were the most prolific winners of the night both winning players player. Sean also won the coaches player award and half colours. Maria picked up most improved player and club colours.
After films of the men's rugby team winning the Varsity cup and the netball side showing their winning ways it was time for the biggest awards of the evening. The club of the year went to the women’s basketball team who won the BUCS Conference League 2009/10. Gabrielle Martin won captain of the year for leading the Netball team.
Finally the sports personality of the year award went to men's rugby player Perry Bispham. Perry will now have his name engraved on the plaque in reception along with all the previous winners. The prize is awarded to sports men and women who have not just shown great enthusiasm and skill in their chosen sport but has also set a great example and provided a source of fun of the pitch, on tour and at sport socials.
Congratulations to all the winners on the night. Thames Valley University's annual sports awards is a great way of celebrating the power of sport and rewarding those who strive to put our university on the sporting map. It would be a huge shame if our teams did not continue the success it has already earned next year purely because they didn't have enough funding. "It is a complete shame that we are losing so much money for the sports teams. We must all continue to support the sports teams how we can so that they may continue to prosper" commented Raoul Sanchez.
List of all Winners:
AWARD: Coaches Player
Men’s Football 1st /2nd: Sean Lucas
Men’s Basketball: Jason Mugarura
Women’s Basketball: N/A
Men’s Rugby: N/A
Women’s Rugby: Tamanay Grinion
Netball: Kelly Muscat
AWARD: Most Improved
Men’s Football 1st / 2nd: Joseph Amanfo
Men’s Basketball: Jason Mugarura
Women’s Basketball: Maria Padro Casa
Men’s Rugby: Elliott Hall
Women’s Rugby: Amelia Kakol
Netball: Carly Menisha
AWARD: Players Player
Men’s Football 1st/ 2nd: Sean Lucas
Men’s Basketball: Karlis Gross
Women’s Basketball: Maria Padro Casa
Men’s Rugby: Nick Kowalski
Women’s Rugby: Charrissa Castillo
Netball: Hannah Bosley
AWARD: Captain of the Year
Gabrielle Martin
AWARD: Sports Personality
Perry Bispham
AWARD: Club of the Year
Women’s Basketball
AWARD: Club Colours
Men’s Football 1st/2nd: Michael Butlin, Johnny Siswick, Elliott Barlow
Men’s Basketball: Delfin Manolos, Karlis Gross, Simi Jolaoso, Dayo Okewale, Jason Mugarura, Ravidson Teixeira
Women’s Basketball: Veronica Stareckova, Maria Padro Casa, Shay Griffiths, Sophia Franzen, Linda Ouambo
Men’s Rugby: N/A
Netball: Carly Menshia, Hanna Bosely, Amy Flavin, Kelly Muscat, Sharren Taylor
AWARD: Half Colours
Men’s Football 1st / 2nd: Sean Lucas
Men’s Basketball: Ravidson Teixeria and Delfin Manolos
