Sports Stars Saluted at A.U. BALL 2012

Last Wednesday night wasn’t just any old AU piss-up at Clowns & Jesters, but the annual AU ball, which was held this year at St. Mary’s football stadium.

The formal event is a chance for sports clubs and societies across the AU to celebrate their successes over the course of the year, and a chance for the most dedicated sports men & women, captains & coaches to win awards in recognition of their volunteering and achievements.

The awards:

Most Improved Team: Athletics & Cross Country

Team of the Year: Skydiving

Sports Personality of the Year: Adam Dales (Swimming)

1st Year Sportsperson of the Year: Jordan Turner (Lacrosse)

Athletic Union Award: Katie Featherstone (Lifesaving)

Sportsman of the Year: Sam Friel (Rowing)

Sportswoman of the Year: Nancy Woing (cheerleading)

Volunteer of the Year: Toby Johnson (Rowing)

Outstanding Athlete of the Year: Sam Huish

Sport & Wellbeing Club of the Year – Cheerleading

The Union Engagement Award: Ski and Snowboard

Half Colours:

Kirsty Walker, Georgina Coles, Emily Bonnett, John Collier, Jack Gregory, Charlotte Thomas, Maria Frykfors, Bethan Owens, Helen Brook, Kathryn George, Lauren Dackombe, Josie Bond, Emily Gold, Hugh Jones, Dave Rowell, Jake Tempo, David Howes, Charlotte Whitlock, Declan Kiernan, Ellie Rendell.

Full Colours

Andrew Davies, Tom Anderson, Elinor Kirk, Melissa Brandner, Kat Smith, Rhys Clemments, Allan Skellet, James Lee.

However, the reward ceremony sadly wasn’t all smiles and laughs all round.

Despite having a particularly successful season, Southampton Uni Rugby Football Club’s development this year went unacknowledged.

Last year the SURFC’s 1st XV finished 5th, and this year they had an undefeated season as well as getting promotion. The rugby club has almost DOUBLED its numbers this year (what with 82 members this season, up from 46 last year) facilitating a 3rd XV team to be created: despite being in their first year of existence, the new 3rd team WON the league this year.

Rugby club captain Ed Laurent told us

Rugby Union is one the most popular sports in the country and it would have been nice to get the recognition that we feel we deserve.

On a brighter note, however, the awards were representative of the high dedication and achievements within the AU – and not just on the playing fields.

Back in the Easter holidays, Adam Dales and other SUSC club members were required to perform emergency CPR on a fellow passenger, after he went into cardiac arrest on their return flight from the club tour. Therefore the swim team’s personality of the year award was particularly well-deserved.

Congratulations from all of us here at The Tab to all those who won awards, and whether you won something or not we hope you had a great evening at what is always one of the best nights of the year.