Edinburgh University’s Sports Ball took place last Thursday. Always one of the highlights of the Sport Union’s (SU) calendar, the ball represents not only an opportunity for Sports Club members to drink and celebrate, but also to recognise the achievements and star performers for the university over the past year.
The event took place largely at the Edinburgh International Conference centre in Fountainbridge, before many took the opportunity to head to WhyNot after all of the formalities were taken care of. All were dressed suitably in Black Tie attire.
Amongst all of the events hosted by the SU each year, the ball is probably the most eagerly anticipated. And, as a chance for all of the sport societies to come together and celebrate as one, this is not unwarranted, due to how rarely opportunities like this come up.
Of course, there were also individuals and clubs to be celebrated for their performances. A full list of winners is available below, however the big prize of “Club of the Year,” was collected by the Cheerleading and Dance Society, while the Team of the Year was named as the Women’s Orienteering side. Swimmer Archie Goodburn was named Male Athlete of the Year, while on the women’s side, Megan Keith received the award for her performances in Athletics.
A Ceilidh also followed the dinner, replete with a live band. One attendee described this as “slightly chaotic but highly successful,” which I do not think is inaccurate, and this was then followed by a pilgrimage to Why Not.
Overall it was a successful and well-organised evening, and crucially one which represented the best of University Sport here at Edinburgh.
Winners:
Best Publicity Record – Ladies’ Rugby
First Year Athlete of the Year – Adam Hamill (Karate)
Participation Award – Snowsports
Ian Stevens Alumni Award – Boat Club
Male Athlete of the Year – Archie Goodburn (Swimming)
Intramural Team Development Award – Olympique de Marsheille
Most Improved Club – Motorsport
Expeditionary Achievement – Canoe Club
Female Athlete of the Year – Megan Keith (Athletics)
Services to Sport Award – Bella Grainger (Boxing), Cameron Wilson (Athletics), Connie Chen (Athletics), Elinor Greenshields (Trampoline), Hannah Gray (Snowsports), Joe Hudd (Orienteering), Owen Wilkinson (Triathlon)
Volunteer of the Year – Rosie Sumsion (Shinty)
Team of the Year – Orienteering Women’s Team
Intramural Team of the Year – History Girls’ Netball
Club of the Year – Cheerleading and Dance
Image Credits: Berenika Murray, @photograberry