Scottish Swimming recognises University of Stirling with four awards

After a medal-laden, record-breaking year, Angharad Evans won Swimmer of the Year and the Nancy Riach Memorial Trophy, which recognises an athlete who has enhanced the prestige of Scottish Swimming over the past year. Stirling teammate Dean Fearn was crowned joint Junior Swimmer of the Year, alongside Leeds-based Emma Wood, while University coach Brad Hay was awarded Performance Coach of the Year.

The awards come just months after the University’s swimmers won a record 23 medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and seven golds at the European Championships in Paris.

Angharad Evans won Swimmer of the Year and the Nancy Riach Memorial Trophy.

Angharad Evans

Announcing the winners at a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow, Scottish Swimming recognised Angharad’s phenomenal contribution at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris. In Glasgow, she won gold in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, silver in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay and bronze in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay. In Paris, she took gold in the 100m Breaststroke and Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay, and silver in the 200m Breaststroke.

The organisers said: “Angharad Evans is our Swimmer of the Year, following her seven international medals this summer across the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and European Aquatics Swimming Championships.  She also wins the Nancy Riach Memorial Trophy.”

Dean Fearn

At Glasgow 2026, Dean won bronze after swimming the heats for Scotland’s third-placed Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay team. Scottish Swimming said: “Dean Fearn and Emma Wood are crowned Junior Swimmers of the Year. Following a season where both won medals at their debut Commonwealth Games, Dean and Emma win this year’s prize. The pair also both won individual medals at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Munich.”

On receiving his award, Dean said: “It's nice to get this award again. You know Duncan's (Duncan Scott) had it three times and I've had it three times as well, so it's really nice to get that.”

Speaking about going from the European Junior Championships to the Commonwealth Games, he added: “It was definitely a very busy summer. Having European Juniors first; I was called up for a lot of relays, which I wasn't expecting to be in, and, you know, by the end of the week, I was starting to feel it, but it's one of those things.

“It's as much mental as physical, knowing you can't afford to switch off because obviously we had that prep camp the week prior to the Commies as well. So, as much as it was that sort of home prep, you do have to stay on your toes. But I was more than happy to do that and stepping up to represent Scotland is such an honour.”

Brad Hay

On Brad’s Performance Coach of the Year award, Scottish Swimming said: “Bradley delivered an outstanding season of performance coaching, supporting Scottish swimmers to Commonwealth Games medals, British and Scottish records, and continued success on the national stage.

“His athletes include Angharad Evans, who won double breaststroke medals in Glasgow and Paris and Keanna MacInnes, who claimed double butterfly silver in Glasgow.”

Receiving his award, Brad said: “This is a huge honour for myself and the programme. Success doesn’t happen in isolation; there’s a wider support team who are incredible, as well as the support from the athletes themselves. It’s been really pleasing to see so many of them step up into finals this year and come away with medals and convert the opportunities they train so hard for. I’m delighted for them all.”

Congratulations

Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport at the University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence and UK Sports University of the Year, congratulated Angharad, Dean and Brad.

She said: “It has been a monumental summer for University of Stirling swimmers, with outstanding performances at both the Commonwealth Games and European Aquatics Championships. The achievements at the home Commonwealth Games were particularly special – competing on home soil, in front of passionate Scottish crowds, and inspiring a nation through their performances.

“We are incredibly proud to see Angharad, Dean and Brad recognised at the Scottish Swimming Awards. For Angharad and Dean, their achievements are a fantastic illustration of the value of a strong dual-career environment, enabling them to combine their academic studies with the demands of elite sport. Brad’s recognition as Performance Coach of the Year is equally well deserved and reflects the quality of coaching and support that sits behind the success of our athletes.

“These achievements also demonstrate the strength of the partnership between the University of Stirling and Scottish Swimming. By working closely together, we create an environment that supports sporting excellence while also helping athletes to thrive in their education and wider lives. It is a partnership built on a shared ambition to develop Scottish swimming and provide our athletes and coaches with the very best opportunities to succeed.

"With the LA 2028 Olympic Games now on the horizon, we look forward to continuing to build on this success and supporting Angharad, Dean, Brad and the entire world-class programme based at the University of Stirling, as they work towards the next chapter of their sporting journeys.”

Excellence

The University of Stirling is UK Sports University of the Year 2027 (Daily Mail University Guide) and 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.