The Unsung Hero award recognises the individuals who do all the work in the background to make things happen.
They keep the club activities going and take the club to the next level. Often, these individuals go beyond the call of duty to improve clubs, solve problems, and create an all-round good environment in which club members can thrive.
Here's more about each of our fantastic nominees:
Emma Paterson, Gonville & Caius, CU Mixed Lacrosse
Emma has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to CUMLC throughout her time with the club. She joined in her first year in 2020 and quickly made an impact, earning a spot on the highly competitive Blues team and named as “Best Newcomer” at the end of the season.
In her second year, Emma served as League Secretary, during which she introduced important changes to the college league rules, including the removal of checking to enhance player safety, which continue to be upheld today. While on her year abroad at the University of Heidelberg in her third year, Emma remained involved in lacrosse, playing for the Heidelberg team.
Elected Co-Captain at the end of her year abroad, Emma helped organise a club tour to Heidelberg, where CUMLC won the women’s division of the international tournament, defeating the Belgium National Team in the final. Emma was an outstanding Co-Captain, leading the Blues to a Varsity victory and to win the semi-finals of the National League (unfortunately the team was unable to attend the final due to exam clashes.).
Now in her fifth year, Emma serves as Welfare Officer, organising events, addressing welfare concerns, and being an approachable presence for all members.
Freya Taylor, Sidney Sussex – CU Cycling Club
When you picture cyclists, you might imagine large groups of men and for years, that was CUCC too, aside from a few serious female racers. But thanks to Freya Taylor, that’s changing.
As Women’s Officer, Freya’s infectious enthusiasm and tireless dedication have transformed the club. She’s created a welcoming, empowering space through initiatives like relaxed “cake and chat” sessions and mechanic workshops in her flat. These efforts have led to a near tripling of female participation in rides, socials, and races.
The results speak for themselves. CUCC sent more women’s teams to the BUCS Team Time Trial than any other university, with Freya’s team winning bronze. Cambridge women outnumbered men for the first time in Mountain Bike Varsity and won, a huge shift from the previous year, when we struggled to field a full team.
Always generous with her time and advice, Freya inspires confidence in everyone she meets and has helped countless women start riding and racing. While her BUCS medals and half blue mark her sporting talent, her greater achievement is the inclusive culture she’s built. Freya is not just a leader, she is CUCC’s unsung hero.
Oliwia Kicek, Selwyn, CU Fencing Club
Since joining the Cambridge University Fencing Club (CUFC), Oliwia has had an extraordinary impact on the community, quickly becoming the backbone of the beginners’ programme and a vital source of energy, organisation, and support across the club.
As Beginners’ Secretary, Oliwia has single-handedly managed communications for over 70 new fencers, regularly keeping everyone informed through clear, encouraging, and warm announcements. From safety reminders and taster session schedules to late-night reminders about sabre socials and Varsity livestreams, Oliwia’s consistent and thoughtful messaging has kept beginners engaged and enthusiastic all year.
She has coordinated multiple key events including fencing swaps, pub quizzes, and bowling socials. Notably, she managed feedback collection across terms using detailed forms, enabling the club to adapt to members’ needs and improve the beginners’ experience year on year. Her openness to suggestions and unwavering encouragement helped build a welcoming atmosphere that kept participation high. Even during vacation periods, she supported ongoing training opportunities and ensured communication around kit access, fees, and guests was always crystal clear.
Oliwia's initiative, warmth, and sheer reliability have made her one of the most visible and dependable presences in the club. Whether it was posting reminders, encouraging nervous beginners, helping arrange additional sessions for those with timetable clashes, or literally bringing blades to practice, Oliwia’s contributions were tireless, thoughtful, and crucial.
In short, CUFC this year would not have functioned—or felt—as cohesive, welcoming, or joyful without her. For these reasons, she is a standout candidate for Unsung Hero.
Sophie Harrington, Darwin – CU Association Football Club
Sophie was an immense source of guidance, coaching and support for the CUAFC Women's Blues team this year. She unfortunately suffered a serious ankle injury in early Lent term, sidelining her from the Blues Varsity match. However, her commitment to the team was unwavering, showing up to trainings and matches on the sidelines and using her extensive high-level football experience to provide coaching support to the team. She not only helped us improve our tactical side, but also fostered a great team spirit. To me personally as Blues captain, she was a huge support and always a source of wisdom in difficult situations, providing help in the background to lead the team.
She also played a key role in helping new team members (of which there were many in the Blues this year, especially first years) settle into their roles and become more confident and comfortable in this competitive environment. She was key to the CUAFC Women’s Blues success in the league and big Varsity win this year, and we could not have done it without her.
Spencer Lee Boya, King’s – CU Amateur Boxing Club
Spencer has worked tirelessly behind the scenes as President of the Club. His vision was to make the Club a more equitable place by ensuring the female members of the Club had equal opportunities to the men. Spencer has achieved this by working with Oxford to ensure Women’s bouts were added to the Varsity Match and are included in the total score (not a separate women’s Varsity Match), therefore making sure the Club has one VM for all.
Spencer also reformatted the Blues trials process, again making this better and improved the coaching set up by introducing a new team and improving strength and conditioning sessions. He has also worked hard to secure new sponsorship and equipment for the Club to support its long-term sustainability.
It’s been a challenging year for the Club whilst it has transitioned from the previous long-standing coach to a new set up, and Spencer has done a great job in looking after everyone in the Club.
