Saints Sport Awards

The Saints Sport Awards ceremony takes place in April each year and celebrates the amazing achievements of all the individuals involved in student sport at the University.

Ever to Excel

At Saints Sport, we embody a relentless commitment to the pursuit of excellence, encapsulated by our enduring motto, Ever to Excel. This ethos serves as the guiding force for both our dedicated staff and passionate sporting community. Ever to Excel is not just a motto; it is the heartbeat of our sporting community, driving us to reach new heights together.

2026 Saints Sport Awards

The annual Saints Sport Awards will take place on Monday 27 April at Falside Mill, Kingsbarns.

Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Join us for this year’s Dinner and Awards Ceremony, running from 6pm to 10pm, as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our student athletes. We are thrilled to welcome Caroline Blair—renowned local broadcaster and stadium presenter, known for her work with Sky News, BBC, and Scottish Rugby—as this year’s host.

After Party

After the awards conclude, the venue will transform for the Sports Awards Afterparty, the final student sports club social event of the year, continuing the celebrations until 1am.

Evening schedule

5.15pm to 5.45pm: Transport for Dinner Guests (Madras College – South Street)
6pm to 10pm: Dinner And Awards Ceremony (Falside Mill)
8.30pm to 9.30pm: After Part Pre-Event (Union)
9.45pm to 10.15pm: Transport for After Party Guests (Union)/li>
10pm to 1am: Afterparty (Falside Mill)
11.30pm tp 1am: Return transport

The dress code for the evening is black tie.

BUY your Early Bird After Party Ticket

Saints Sport Awards 2026 – Timelines

Nomination dates:

Monday 2 March: Nominations open
Friday 13 March: Nominations close (12 noon)
Monday 16 March: Blues & Colours Panel Meeting
Monday 23 March: Blues & Colours announced, appeals process opens
Thursday 26 March: Appeals process closes
Monday 30 March: Awards Panel Meeting to finalise club and individual award winners
Monday 30 March: Final award shortlist announced

Event dates:

2 March: Sports clubs invited to reserve tables/dinner tickets
15 March: Deadline for sports clubs to reserve tables/dinner tickets
3 April: Deadline for dinner ticket sales
20 April: Final details sent to guests
27 April: Annual Awards Ceremony, Falside Mill

The nomination process

The awards season runs from the beginning of Week 7 in Semester 2 the previous academic year, until the end of Week 6 of Semester 2 in the current year. Individuals who have graduated in this time, are still eligible for awards if their achievements fall within that period.

The nomination period runs from Monday 2 to Friday 13 March 2026. Applications received outside of this period will not be considered.

Nominations can be made by any student, members of staff and clubs affiliated to the Athletic Union. Committees are encouraged to discuss and identify the strongest applicant for any award nomination (individuals, team or club) and submit a single nomination on behalf of the club.

Please note:

Nominees will only be assessed on the content of the nomination/s, not external information.
Students may receive multiple different awards in one award season.
All nominees must be in good standing with Saints Sport, the University and the Student’s Association.

More information about the Awards Panel, timelines, eligibility, appeals process and character of the awards can be found in the Saints Sport Awards regulations PDF below, or by contacting [email protected].

Awards Regulations

Individual awards

Multiple recipient awards

Description

Blues and Colours are general awards for excellence in sport. Full and Half Blues recognise sporting achievement, whilst Honorary Blues and Colours recognise sporting achievement and contribution to Saints Sport.

Criteria

Nominations must provide evidence of:

How the student demonstrates and/or contributes to excellence, engagement, and experience within Saints Sport.
If relevant, context on the quality of competition achievements.

Blues Eligibility:	awarded for individual sporting excellence to an exceptional student athlete competing at the highest achievable level of their sport whilst at University.
Half Blues Eligibility:	awarded to student athletes for high sporting achievements within the context of their sport that fall below the criteria for a full blue
Honorary Blues Eligibility:	awarded to an individual (student, staff, or graduate) who has undertaken a significantly exceptional sporting endeavour that will inspire current students in the pursuit of excellence.
Colours Eligibility:	awarded for exceptional service and dedication to a club in the areas of: Enhancing the student experience in an outstanding way through the work done with Saints Sport or an Athletic Union club Enhancing the engagement of a club with Saints Sport, other clubs, the local community, or the wider sporting world

Award process

Students only need to make one application, as the awarding panel will determine what level of Blues and Colours to award.
Students can only receive each of these awards once, and any cannot receive an award lower down the scale.
Winners of this award will receive a certificate and commendation at the ceremony.

Nominations for Blues & Colours can be made here

Description

These awards recognise volunteer effort across different projects including committee, coaching, and outreach.

Criteria
- Bronze – 50 hours
- Silver – 150 hours
- Gold – 300 hours
- Platinum – 500 hours
Nominees must:
- Have logged the minimum number of hours on the volunteer portal
- Have submitted their reflective piece, also on the volunteer portal
Award process
- No nominations are required for these awards.
- Every student who meets the above criteria will receive this award.
- Winners of this award will receive a certificate and recognition on their academic transcript.
Description

These award several individuals who have shown an excellent commitment to Saints Sport, their club, or athletic success. Capturing unique achievements or all-round success that might not be picked up by other awards.

Criteria

Nominees must:
- Not be the recipient of any single-recipient award
Nominations must provide evidence of:
- Exceptional commitment to Saints Sport, their club, or athletic success
Award process

No nominations are required for these awards: successful candidates will be chosen from the existing pool of nominees.

Excellence

This award was instituted by Professor Sam Taylor who has made a long and valued contribution to the committees of the Athletic Union

Description

Awarded to a student who has contributed to excellence, experience and/or engagement during their first year at university.

Criteria

Nominees must:
- Be in their first year of an undergraduate or foundation degree at the University of St Andrews
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- How they have contributed or been successful within their first year
- How they have integrated with and contributed to the club
Nominations for Bejant of the Year can be made here
Description

This award was instituted by the former Chancellor Lord Campbell, who represented GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and held the British 100 metre record from 1967-1974

Description

Awarded to a sportsperson who has demonstrated the most outstanding athletic performance and achievement.

Criteria

Nominees must:
- Have competed in competitions / leagues in the year that award is being assessed
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- Results in relevant leagues or competitions and detail about the quality/standard of these competitions
- If it is for a team sport, how this individual has stood out and contributed to success
Nominations for Athlete of the Year can be made here
This award was instituted to recognise the impact and achievements of the St Leonards College Masters Sports Scholars

Description

Awarded to a postgraduate scholar who has demonstrated outstanding athletic performance and achievement

Criteria

Nominees must:
- Must be a postgraduate student and a supported athlete
- Have competed in competitions / leagues in the year that award is being assessed
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- Results in relevant leagues or competitions and detail about the quality/standard of these competitions
- If it is for a team sport, how this individual has stood out and contributed to success
Nominations for Postgraduate Scholar of the Year can be made here

Experience

This new award has been introduced to recognise a significant achievement or inspirational individual

Description

Awarded to a student who has overcome significant adversity and/or been their club’s unsung hero.

Criteria

Nominations should provide evidence of one of the following:
- How an individual has overcome adversity to contribute towards student sport in St Andrews
- How an individual has contributed significantly to their club in a selfless manner
- How an individual has undertaken a unique and inspirational challenge
Nominations for Saint of the Year can be made here
Description

This award was instituted by the former director of physical education (1955-1985) Archie Strachan who made a long and valued contribution to the promotion of student sport in St Andrews

Description

Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Saints Sport or an affiliated club, helping to move sport at St Andrews forward by enhancing the student experience for their peers.

Criteria

Nominations should provide evidence of:
- How they have improved the sporting experience
- Detail of why this has been an outstanding contribution
Nominations for Enhancing Sporting Experience can be made here

Engagement

This award was instituted in 2019 in honour of Martin Barkla, who worked for the University for over 40 years. During his retirement he volunteered his time working for the Coast Guard to help students.

Description

Awarded to an individual whose volunteering has improved the experience and engagement within their club or the wider Saints Sport community.

Criteria

Nominees must:
- Have sustained volunteering throughout the year, this could include coaching, committee role, officiating or any other voluntary contribution.
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- How their volunteer contribution has improved the experience and engagement within their club
- Why this student has been an exceptional volunteer
Nominations for Student Volunteer of the Year can be made here
Description

This award was instituted in 2010 by Peter McKiernan, former chair of the Athletic Union Governing Board

Description

Awarded to an individual who has given outstanding voluntary service to their sport, for their University club and/or in the community, during the course of their degree.

Criteria

Nominees must:
- Have sustained volunteering throughout their degree
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- How their volunteer contribution has improved the experience and engagement within their club or in the community
- Why this student has been an exceptional volunteer
Nominations for Enhancing Engagement in Sport can be made here

Excellence, Experience and Engagement

This award was instituted to recognise the very best students who embody all that Saints Sport and the University hold dear and is only presented to the most exceptional of students.

Description

A student who makes an exceptional contribution to Saints Sport and the University and has a significant impact in all three areas of the Saints Sport programme: excellence, experience and engagement.

The Chancellor’s Award for Sport represents the highest sporting accolade conferred by the University and is awarded to only the most exceptional students.

Criteria

Nominations should provide evidence of:
- How they have impacted excellence, engagement AND experience during the awarding period
- Their contribution to Saints Sport
- Why this student has been exceptional
Please note: the award does not need to be awarded annually

Nominations for Chancellor’s Award for Sport can be made here

Club and team awards

Description

The Club of the Year Award shall be awarded to a club which has shown the most outstanding commitment to achieving excellence, engagement and experience.

Criteria

Nominations must:
- Show a sustained commitment throughout the year, on a club wide basis
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- How the club has contributed to the Saints experience, for example, considering how it contributes to excellence, engagement, and experience
- How the club has been outstanding in this
Nominations for Club of the Year can be made here
The Wallace Prize was instituted by alumna Alison Wilson in memory of her mother and recognises clubs who’ve shown a commitment to increasing opportunities for students and community members alike to participate in their sport.

Description

Awarded to a committee who has gone above and beyond, in areas such as furthering the sport, improving the experience of members, or developing their club.

Criteria

Nominations should provide evidence of:
- What they have done in this area
- How it’s impacted the club, members, or the wider community
- Why this contribution is extraordinary
Nominations for Inspirational Committee can be made here
Description

Awarded to a club who has given outstanding voluntary service to Saints Sport through activities such as outreach and community engagement.

Criteria

Nominations should provide evidence of:
- Community outreach performed by the club
- The structures in place to support this outreach
- Statistics about the outreach (e.g., frequency, engagement levels, etc.)
Nominations for Community Engagement Club of the year can be made here
Description

The Green Club of the Year Award recognises the club that has made a significant effort to reduce the environmental impact of either their own members, members of Saints Sport, or members of the University.

Criteria

Nominations must:
- Show a sustained commitment to sustainability throughout the year
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- What actions the club have taken to reduce environmental impact
- Who the actions have impacted
Nominations for Green Club of the year can be made here
Description

The Charitable Club of the Year Award celebrates a Charity initiative or campaign undertaken by a Sports Club based on money raised, awareness raised or creativity of the initiative.

Criteria

Nominations should provide evidence of:
- What charitable activity the club has undertaken
- The impact of the project/s – e.g., stats about money raised, reach of project…
- Their motives for undertaking the project
Nominations for Charity Club of the year can be made here
Description

Awarded to a team within a club, for outstanding performance in competition.

Criteria

Nominations must:
- Have competed in competitions / leagues in the year that award is being assessed
- Be a team within a Saints Sport club
Nominations should provide evidence of:
- Results in relevant leagues or competitions and detail about the quality/standard of these competitions
- Why this performance is outstanding
Nominations for Team of the year can be made here

Saints Sport Awards

2026 Saints Sport Awards

Dinner and Awards Ceremony

After Party

Evening schedule

Saints Sport Awards 2026 – Timelines

The nomination process

Individual awards

Multiple recipient awards

Blues (Full / Half / Honorary) and Colours

Volunteer Portal awards

Special recognition awards

Excellence

Professor Sam Taylor Bejant of the Year Award

Lord Menzies Campbell Athlete of the Year Award

Provosts Postgraduate Scholar of the Year Award

Experience

Saint of the Year Award

Archie Strachan Award for Enhancing Sporting Experience

Engagement

Martin Barkla Student Volunteer of the Year Award

Peter McKiernan Award for Enhancing Engagement in Sport

Excellence, Experience and Engagement

Chancellor’s Award for Sport

Club and team awards

Saints Sport Club of the Year

Saints Sport Prize for an Inspirational Committee

Saints Sport Community Engagement Club of the Year

Saints Sport Green Club of the Year

Saints Sport Charitable Club of the Year

Saints Sport Team of the Year