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Success for Cambridge at the Annual BUCS Awards

Congratulations to Alex Petter, winner of the Dan Porter Award at the BUCS Awards!

 

The BUCS Awards winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on Tuesday 8th December. The ceremony was opened by HRH The Princess Anne, Patron of BUCS, with award winners announced on BUCS social media channels, with announcements made by stars including Dame Katherine Grainger, Great Britain's most decorated female Olympian, Marilyn Okoro, Team GB sprinter and Olympic medallist, and Lizzie Simmonds, European Swimming Champion and double Olympian.

We are delighted that Alex Petter has been recognised for his inspirational endeavours in the face of adversity, winning a special award in the Dan Porter Award, for his efforts in developing the Cambridge University Cycling Club while undergoing treatment for cancer.

This year, BUCS announced two winners in the category, with Ellie Wolfe from the University of Edinburgh also recognised for achievements as a concussion awareness ambassador with Concussion Education.

 

This award is in memory of the former Sheffield Hallam University Head of Sport and valued BUCS colleague, Dan Porter MBE, who tragically lost his 13-year battle with cancer in 2018. In this period, he established the Danny Porter Foundation, raising over £100,000 through a variety of events to support those also affected by cancer, particularly at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital.  

According to the BUCS awarding criteria, “The individual or group will have demonstrated a remarkable sense of character to achieve, motivate and inspire.” 

 

“Alex personifies the air of inclusivity, friendliness, and approachability that is crucial to the success of any sports club” 

 

Alex also won the Sports Club Personality of the Year Award earlier this year at the inaugural University of Cambridge Sports Awards. He has had a transformational impact on Cambridge University Cycling Club, creating a positive and supportive club culture while overseeing a massive increase in membership - all the while facing challenging health issues and having specialist treatment for cancer during 2019.  

“Cycling isn't just about going fast and having the best kit, and Alex has helped emphasize the fun side of our sport to the membership” 

 

Alex featured as a guest on the most recent episode of the excellent Hawk Talk podcast, presented by the Hawks and Ospreys. In the episode, Alex talked candidly through his own health battles, with a wise note of caution for other sportspeople to look after their own health - a message also shared by Alex's fellow award winner Ellie.

The episode also talks in depth about balancing academic commitments with cycling pursuits and driving change within a thriving cycling club as President in 2019-20, whose membership numbers have grown immensely over a short period. Alex is quick to give credit to his peers, recognising that it has been a team effort with fellow CUCC committee members in developing the club, though his peers will be the first to point out that Alex has been at the heart of everything.  

 

“Even when he was up in Manchester Monday-Friday for radiotherapy he was running the club as enthusiastically as ever; organising training camp, ensuring rides always took place, running the committee and much more” 

 

Alex has shown remarkable character and resolve, motivating and inspiring countless students to take up and enjoy sport and physical activity with CUCC across all levels. He is a credit to the club, and to the University.  

A huge congratulations from Cambridge University Sport to Alex, and to joint winner Ellie.

Pictured: Alex, in competitive spirit, at the CU Cycling hill climb event (Image: Nordin Catic).

 

 

All quotes in bold come from original nominations for the University of Cambridge Sports Awards. 

 

Complete BUCS Awards 2020 Winners - Congratulations to all from Cambridge!

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