The University of Bristol’s sporting community, from athletes, coaches, volunteers and administrators, came together last night for a special evening of celebration.

This year’s Reds Awards evening, themed around Inclusion, was an opportunity not just to recognise the University’s stellar performers but also champion sport as a vehicle for promoting a sense of belonging, removing barriers to participation, and recognising achievement comes in many forms.

A Bristol Red is one of the most prestigious sporting accolades conferred by the University along with the Director’s Award and Awards for Inclusivity and Wellbeing.

Eligible students will have achieved notable success on and off the pitch in their respective sports that academic year. Past winners include Rugby World Cup champions and Olympic and Paralympic medallists.

Special guest Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, ultra-runner and co-founder of Black Trail Runners – the national charity which has recently partnered with the University of Bristol – joined Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President, for the event at Bristol’s Goldney Hall.

Professor Welch said: “If every evening is special at the University of Bristol, this one was super special. We recognised remarkable athletes with our Reds Awards and celebrated the community, friendship and mental resilience that sport creates at university and beyond.”

Matt Birch, Director of Sport, Exercise and Health at the University of Bristol, said: “We’re incredibly fortunate to have a growing community of such outstanding athletes at Bristol. The Reds Awards give us the chance to recognise and celebrate the difference they make – not only through their sporting performances, but as role models and as a source of inspiration for those who follow. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners; your influence continues to shape those around you.”

Speaking about the evening, Sabrina said: “It was really beautiful. It was just the most amazing audience and such inspirational award winners as well. I just love what I do and I love meeting new people, especially young people who have got the world as their oyster and getting the chance to help inspire them.”

2026 WINNERS

BRISTOL RED AWARDS

Sally Kidson – Boccia | Music BA

After being introduced to the sport of boccia at primary school, Sally made her international debut in 2022, aged just 17, finishing fourth in the female BC3 category at the World Boccia Poznan Challenger. Within two years, the music student from Wiltshire, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, was beating world and European champions. At the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, Sally was the youngest member of the Great Britain boccia squad having collected her A-level results a few weeks earlier. A year later, Sally was crowned European Champion in the BC3 individual event having already achieved national titles. Sally now has her sights set on competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Away from sport, Sally has performed with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Round ensemble and the National Open Youth Orchestra.

Funmi Oduwaiye – Athletics | Physiological Science BSc

Fumni is a British para-athlete who competes in shot put and discus throw. A former international basketball player at junior level, Fumni took-up para-athletics in 2022 after suffering a damaged artery during surgery, which resulted in paralysis of her right leg from the knee down. She made her parasport international debut at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris where she finished sixth in the F64 discus and fourth in the F64 shot put. At the Paris Paralympics in 2024, she finished fifth in the shot put and eight in the discus. Fumni, from Cardiff, won bronze in the F44 shot put at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi and now has her sights set on competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Kamran Dhariwal – Cricket | Medicine MC ChB

Kamran is balancing his commitments as a medical student at the University of Bristol with his cricketing pursuits, having signed a rookie contract with Gloucestershire Cricket until the end of the 2026 season following a successful trial period. The talented top-order batter had previously featured regularly for Gloucestershire’s Second XI after impressing during his rise through Hampshire’s Pathway and Second XI system. Earlier this year, Kamran was part of the University of Bristol’s Men’s 1st XI who were crowned 2026 BUCS Indoor Cricket National Champions, beating Canterbury in the final.

Grace Piper – Tennis | Translational Cardiovascular Medicine MSc

Grace, who was awarded one of the first Gold Scholarships offered at Bristol in the academic year, was a member of the Great Britain Student Tennis team which beat the USA to claim the 2025 Master’U BNP Paribas Championships title in France. Unbeaten in both the BUCS singles and doubles this season, Grace helped the University of Bristol team finish third in the Southern Premiership this year. The Taunton-born athlete won silver in the women’s singles at the 2026 BUCS Championships – the University of Bristol’s first ever female medallist. Grace also represented Great Britain at the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games. Her success follows a junior career where she won the 2019 U18s British Championships. It helped earn her a sports scholarship to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the University of Southern California.

Scott Wallace – Lacrosse | Medicine MB ChB

Scott arrived at the University of Bristol in 2021 having never played lacrosse before. He became Vice Club Captain and represented Scotland at the Senior European Championships in Poland in July 2025. He later led the University team through an unbeaten 2025/26 season as they were crowned BUCS Southern Premiership champions for the first time in more than 10 years. The team also progressed to their first-ever national semi-final. Scott has also supported the players to pursue lacrosse outside of the BUCS season, with several of the squad competing for the English Universities squad over the past season.

Caspar Henfrey – American Football | Economics and Finance BSc

Caspar joined the University of Bristol’s American Football Club as a first-year student in September 2024, having never played the sport before. He helped the club achieve its best BUCS finish since 2010 and led them to their first-ever BUCS Division 1 title in 2025/26. Caspar was selected to represent Great Britain U19s in 2025 and has since been named in the senior GB squad. Off the field, Caspar organised a Superbowl event which raised more than £800 for the Club.

Katy Cutler – Water Polo | Medicine MSc

Katy was introduced to water polo as a youngster at her local swimming club going on to play for English Schools. She was a member of the Great Britain team that beat hosts Serbia in the U17 European Championships in 2017 on the way to finishing in the top six. Katy achieved international honours at two other European Championships, both at U19 level, aged just 15 in 2016, and most recently in 2018. Last year, Katy represented Great Britain Women’s water polo team at the 2025 Aquatic World Championships in Singapore before helping the team finish inside the top ten at the European Aquatics Championships earlier this year. At the University of Bristol, Katy consistently finished top scorer for the women’s water polo team and volunteers as a referee, officiating many games for the women’s 2nd team.

DIRECTOR’S AWARDS

Isla Greig – Volleyball | Mathematics BSc

Anna Warham – Netball | Psychology and Neuroscience MSc

Tom Flint – Football | Physics BSc

WELLBEING AWARD

University of Bristol Men’s Hockey club

INCLUSIVITY AWARD

An Cheng – Psychology BSc

BEN DUDLEY COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD

Amber Reed – Rugby

Amber has overseen a remarkable year as head coach of the University of Bristol women’s rugby union team. They have won the 2026 BUCS Rugby Union Women’s Trophy as well as both the 1st team league and 2nd team league in 2026.