University Rugby Awards 2025 – Winners and Commended

We are delighted to announce the winners and highly commended nominations for the 2025 University Rugby Awards. This year, we had 92 nominations for seven award categories. The annual awards are our opportunity to celebrate the remarkable students, staff, and volunteers who work tirelessly to make university rugby happen day in and day out.

The awards were celebrated during the University Rugby Development Day on Saturday, 19th April 2025, at Leicester Tigers, Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium. 

We have eight winners, as two winners were selected for the Outstanding Student Volunteer Award. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and to our Awards Panel. Huge congratulations to all those shortlisted and our winners!

2025 University Rugby Awards Commended and Winners, with SRFU Trustee, Katy Storie, at the University Rugby Development Day 2025 in Leicester. Image credit: Fairlight Creative

University Rugby Awards 2025: Outstanding Club Award  To celebrate a University Club or club committee who have demonstrated an outstanding and consistent commitment to the values of the game.

Commended: Sheffield Hallam University Women’s and Men’s Rugby Union

Commended: Guy’s, King’s, and St. Thomas’ Women’s RFC - King’s College London

Winner: University of Manchester, Women's Rugby Football Club

Outstanding Coach Award

To celebrate a coach or coaching team that have demonstrated innovative and creative approaches to the game, with a demonstrable positive impact on results and/or the wellbeing of club members.

Commended: Tim Westwood, University of Nottingham Women’s Rugby Union

Commended: Grace Gibson, University of Oxford RFC

Winner: Olly Slym, University of Bristol Rugby Club

Unsung Hero Award To celebrate a referee, coordinator, medic, staff member or support team who go above and beyond in support of rugby or your rugby club.

Winner: Brianna Cummins, University of Exeter Women's Rugby

Outstanding Student Volunteer Award 

To celebrate a student who has made a significant contribution to the game through their volunteering.

Commended: Faye Burnhill, Sheffield Hallam University Women’s Rugby Football Union

Commended: Pearse Ferguson, Northumbria University

Two winners: Sanaa Sarfraz, Guy’s, King’s, and St. Thomas’ Women’s RFC

Anna Cooke, King's College London Women's Rugby

Tom Miller Award for Social Impact

To recognise a club or student who has demonstrated considerable impact through charitable or awareness raising endeavours.

Commended: Hull University Men's Rugby Union

Winner: University of Bath RFC

Vaughan Parry Williams Award

For exceptional contribution to student rugby - To recognise someone who has changed the game through their exceptional contribution or service to university rugby.

Winner: Lynn Evans, Oxford University RFC

Rugby For all - EDI Award  To recognise an individual, coach, referee, team, or club that has taken positive action to improve diversity and inclusion in the university game.

Commended: Mthabisi Makanza & James Cherry,  University of Nottingham

Commended: Rugby Minds Committee, University of Nottingham

Winner: UEA Women’s Rugby, University of East Anglia