In light of the current lockdown, the University’s Sports department turned to technology in order to stream this year’s event and commemorate a year of sporting highlights at Bedfordshire.

On Wednesday 13 May the University’s Sport department streamed the 2020 Sports Awards online, bringing in over 150 viewers on the night.

Some of our boys ready (yes they do all live in the same household) !!! More pictures to follow @BedsUniSport #BedsUniSportsAwards #BedsUniSport #BeMoreBull pic.twitter.com/RGUG3lpFxV

— UoB Football (@UoBFootballMens) May 13, 2020

The winners were announced via video with speeches from Professor Rebecca Bunting, Interim Vice Chancellor, Andrew Mitchell, Head of School for Sport Science and Physical Activity, Liam Bloomfield, Beds SU President, as well as Bedfordshire’s Deans, lecturers and sporting peers.

Highlights in this year’s awards include the Men’s Football Team taking home gold in ‘Fundraising Team of the Year’ for their efforts in raising money for NHS Charities Together and also ‘Club of the Year’.

The ‘Vice Chancellors Award for Outstanding Commitment to Sport’ was given to Matthew Wainwright for leading the rugby team to a league winning session and for creating links with local rugby teams, amongst other triumphs.

Zoom call with the footy girls waiting for sports awards to start @BedsUniSport #BedsUniSport #BedsUniSportsAwards #BeMoreBull pic.twitter.com/h5gqomctHg

— chloe sene (@chloe_ann_sene) May 13, 2020

Stephen Pitt, Head of Sport Partnerships, said of the 2020 Awards: “It was fantastic that staff and students could still come together this year to applaud achievements from the season.

“The Sports Awards offer the chance to recognise deserving winners, and I want to again congratulate all of those on this year’s shortlist and, of course, those who took home the awards.

“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and it gave all of us a chance to celebrate in these unprecedented times."