UWTSD Academy of Sport celebrates 2nd Annual Presentation Evening

1 May 2024

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Academy of Sport held its annual presentation evening at the Cothi Suite in the Halliwell Conference Centre on the Carmarthen campus. They celebrated their second season back in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions for UWTSD Sports Teams and Individual athletes. The night was filled with awards recognising the impressive achievements of UWTSD students throughout the year.

Award winners at UWTSD Academy Sport Presentation Dinner — from left to right: Morgan, Joanna, Ethan, Maddie and Myles

Lee Tregoning, Head of the UWTSD Academy of Sport, said:

“Since the launch of the Academy of Sport at the beginning of the 22/23 Academic year and working in partnership with the UWTSD Student Union we are now participating in our second season in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions, league and cups. It has been an amazing achievement to get where we are in a short space of time, and we have seen the students flourish this year competing in various BUCS events.

“Our second annual awards night was a wonderful event and a chance for students and staff to come together to recognise the successes and to reflect on a remarkable year. The season is not over yet though as some of the teams/individuals have the BUCS Rugby 7s and several BUCS Individual Sports Events/Championships still to go this academic year!”

Line up of UWTSD Rugby Team — UWTSD Men's Rugby Team

The winners included:

UWTSD Men’s Football – Player of the Year – Myles Perkins

UWTSD Women’s Netball – Player of the Year – Maddie Williams

UWTSD Men’s Rugby – Player of the Year – Ethan Williams

UWTSD Individual Sports – Sportsperson of the Year – Emily Thomas

UWTSD Support Staff – Student of the Year – Joanna Cathersides

UWTSD Academy of Sport Student of the Year – Morgan Thomas

UWTSD Special Contribution Award - Morgan Thomas, Jordan Evans & Cian Anderson

Special Recognition award - Jordan, Morgan and Cian with Lee Tregoning receiving their awards — from left to right Jordan, Morgan and Cian receiving their Special Recognition award with Lee Tregoning

The evening also honoured remarkable team accomplishments, including the Men’s Football team’s triumphant title as BUCS Western Conference League Champions and the Men’s Rugby team’s victory in securing the BUCS Western Conference Shield this season.

UWTSD Men's Football Team line up — Tim Pel-droed Dynion PCYDDS

Morgan Thomas, captain of the UWTSD Men’s Rugby team and a member of the Welsh Premiership side Neath, won the prestigious UWTSD Academy of Sport Student of the Year after some outstanding performances throughout the year. He has been an inspiration for his team and the Academy as a whole since its inception. As one of the founder team members of the new UWTSD Rugby Club and its captain since its revival in 2022, Morgan has exemplified leadership both on and off the field. Balancing the demands of his final year teaching degree, Thomas has led by example, emerging as a driving force behind the rugby team’s success. It was only fitting that he lifted the silverware in his final game for UWTSD, capping off an exceptional journey with the university.

He said:

“I’m extremely grateful to have won the Academy of Sports Sportsperson of the Year, it is a huge honour, and thank you to those who considered me.

“Being in my final year it’s an amazing feeling to finish on a high, and I hope that myself and the rest of the rugby committee have laid the foundation for many successful years to come.Although it’s bittersweet that I won’t be around to experience the exciting future of the academy, I’m extremely proud of what we as a society have been able to achieve is a short space of time, and I believe that there is a lot more that the club can achieve! #uppasaints”

Morgan Thomas with Professor Wendy Dearing receiving his award

“I’m extremely grateful to have won the Academy of Sports Sportsperson of the Year, it is a huge honour, and thank you to those who considered me." - Morgan Thomas

Lee Tregoning added:

“Congratulations to all the students, staff and of course the award winners and I would also like to thank everyone who contributed to making the evening such a memorable one.”