University of Stirling does the double at BUCS Awards 2026

University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – has won two major accolades at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Awards 2026.

Stirling Men’s Tennis 1s were awarded Team of the Year after a record-breaking season on court, while the University’s Executive Director for Sport, Cathy Gallagher, received the AD Munrow Award in recognition of her significant contribution to BUCS and university sport.

The prestigious BUCS Awards celebrate the sporting achievements of students, and those who support them in pursuing their goals, across the UK.

The win for the tennis team – comprising Liam Hignett, Nemanja Malesevic, Rob Cowley, Cameron Fryer and Kyle McKay – comes just weeks after they were crowned Team of the Year at the Scottish Student Sport Awards. The recognition follows their historic season which saw them, in a BUCS first, win all four titles across the season – the National Championship, National League, Doubles and Individual Championships.

Cathy – who has 30 years of experience in student sport, including 10 years at the University of Stirling – was celebrated for her strong and inspirational leadership in the sector. BUCS recognised Cathy for using sport as a vehicle for positive change, her support of student athletes and passion for enhancing community engagement. They noted her contributions as BUCS Senior Managers Executive and Network Chair, a BUCS Board Trustee, Chair of Winning Students 100 and voluntary roles she has held at past World University Games.

Accepting her award, Cathy said: “It is a real honour to receive the prestigious AD Munrow Award, and I am incredibly grateful to BUCS for this recognition as I join a phenomenal roll of honour for the accolade. Having experienced the positive impact of student sport first-hand during my own time at university, that experience became the bedrock upon which I have built my career.

“I have always been passionate about the role that university sport plays in the student experience. Sport has the power to bring people together, help students thrive, develop confidence and leadership skills, and create a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the playing field.

“While I am humbled by this award, it also motivates me to continue working with colleagues within the University of Stirling and across the sector, to unlock the power of sport at university level. There is still so much we can achieve together, and I look forward to continuing to make a positive difference for students, institutions and the wider communities we serve.”

Excellence

The University of Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Through the powerful and inspirational combination of performance sport, recreational sport, research and education, we are delivering medals on the world stage, improving the health and wellbeing of the nation, and producing the next generation of leaders within sport.

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Core sports include swimming, tennis, golf, triathlon, football, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.