Details of the Sports Awards

Team of the Year This is an award that shall be awarded to an individual team within a club or a one team club that has achieved an outstanding result or range of results during the year. In addition, factors such as the team showing a high level of dedication and organization will also be taken into account.

Social Club of the Year This award is achieved by the club that has demonstrated the greatest commitment to providing an extensive and diverse programme of social and charity events. Factors taken into consideration include: the number and nature of social/charity events organised, and the degree of support from members at these events.

Most Promising Newcomer This award aims to recognise the achievement of an individual competing in their first year of membership with their chosen club. The individual should have made an outstanding contribution on either the playing and/or the administrative side of the given club, above and beyond that normally expected of a first year athlete.

Coach of the Year This is a new award which is presented to a coach who has delivered an outstanding contribution and consistent high level of service to one or more Sports Federation clubs. This award will look at commitment to coaching and developing other coaches as well as on the field performance of the teams being coached.	[Photo to follow]

Simon Loveday Simon Loveday was one of our students. Simon, who was captain of the University's canoe club, was tragically killed in a canoeing accident on the River Teme in 1984. His family and friends provided a memorial trophy in his name to be awarded in commemoration of his outstanding personal contribution to sport at Essex. Simon's strength's were in his commitment to sport, his readiness to help others, his sportsmanship and his ability to inspire others so that sport at Essex would flourish. Consequently, this award is given to the student who best epitomises these qualities. Successful applications for the Exceptional Service to Sport Award are automatically considered for this award.

President's Award The President’s Award is awarded at the discretion of the Sports Federation President to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the operation of the Sports Federation throughout the preceding academic year.

Victor Ludorum Alan Rustage, the first Director of Sport, formerly known as the Director of Physical Recreation, provided this trophy in 1995. His criteria was as follows: The award shall be given to a current student or staff member of the University for outstanding sporting achievement. The normal minimum requirement will be the equivalent of representing British Universities at a national level, or finishing in the first three in a national competition.

Craig Hiemstra Award

The Craig Hiemstra Award is to be presented annually at the Sports Awards Dinner, by the President of the Mountaineering Club, to a member of the club in his/her final year of study. The recipient, to be proposed by the President and the Executive Committee, will be a student who has been actively involved in the running and organisation of the Mountaineering Club, and taken part in some level of competition.

Craig Hiemstra was a Professor of Finance at Essex University and died in an avalanche in April 2000 while descending from Mount Shasta, California.

Mark Day Award

The Mark Day Memorial Trophy is to be presented annually to the most improved badminton player. During Mark’s time at Essex University he was the Badminton Team events co-ordinator and was a very passionate and dedicated team player.

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Paul Thornton Award

The Paul Thornton Award is to be nominated and presented by the Squash Club to their newcomer of the year. Paul loved the University of Essex and he loved playing squash. This award is presented in memory of a good man and those that follow.
In Paul's words, "Live your life to the full, take the opportunities that come your way, and have no regrets in life." [Photo to follow]

Other Individual Awards

These include Full Colours, Exceptional Service to Sport and Outstanding Achievement Award.