Hat-trick for Stirling at Scottish Student Sport Awards

The University of Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – has won in three major categories at this year’s Scottish Student Sport Awards.

Olympian Angharad Evans was crowned Female Athlete of the Year, High-Performance Swim Coach Bradley Hay was named Coach of the Year, and Executive Director of Sport Cathy Gallagher was awarded the Honorary President’s Medal at the celebration in Aberdeen.

Angharad Evans

Angharad was recognised after enjoying an exceptional year, which saw her compete for Team GB at the Olympics in Paris, where she reached the 100m Breaststroke final, finishing sixth. She also won silver as part of Britain’s 4x100m Medley Relay team at the World Aquatics Championships (short course).

During the season, she broke British short and long course records in the 100m Breaststroke – including at the National Championships where she won two gold medals. She also shone for Stirling at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) events, winning five gold and two silver medals.

Angharad, 22, who has just finished her second year studying Business Studies and Management, is one of 10 Stirling swimmers set to travel to Singapore in the coming weeks for the World Aquatics Championships (swimming events running 27 July – 3 August). It is her first time competing at the main World Aquatics Championships, which is distinct from the short course competition.

On receiving the award, she said: “It’s such an honour; a complete shock to me. It’s nice to see that hard work does pay off – it’s recognition of the year I’ve had.

“Also, to win it with Brad – who is my primary coach – is special. We’ve both been working very hard this year and he has completely changed my perspective on swimming – I absolutely love it because of him. He’s taken me to the Olympics and to the Worlds, so it’s only right to be winning it with him – congratulations to him too.”

It means even more to Angharad as she had considered giving up the sport before arriving at Stirling. She added: “I had just lost my love for swimming, and was doing it for the wrong reasons. I only moved to Stirling to start enjoying my sport again – and with that came success.

“You need to have the grounding right, enjoying the sport, doing it for the right reasons and looking forward to training – and if you’re doing that, you’re already two steps ahead of where you were before.”

Bradley Hay

Bradley Hay was named Coach of the Year in recognition of the vital role he plays on the high-performance programme at Stirling. Over the past season, with the support of Bradley and the wider team, eight Stirling swimmers have competed at the Olympics, winning three medals.

Furthermore, Stirling swimmers won 22 medals at this year’s British Championships and the women’s team topped the medal table at BUCS Long Course, beating Loughborough to the title for the first time. Bradley has also been selected as part of the Team GB coaching staff travelling to Singapore for the World Aquatics Championships this summer.

Bradley said: “It’s always an honour to get some recognition for what you’ve done – but it’s all down to the athletes and the programme here at Stirling.

“I see this as an award for the programme and as testament to the success of our athletes and the wider support team here at the University.”

Cathy Gallagher

Cathy Gallagher was celebrated with the Honorary President’s Medal, in recognition of the extraordinary contribution to student sport at a local, regional and national level.

In bestowing the award, Scottish Student Sport recognised Cathy’s remarkable contribution across her 25-year career in student sport, citing her positive and resilient nature. They noted: “Cathy has consistently demonstrated a passion for sport as a vehicle for positive change – supporting student athletes, enhancing community engagement, and championing inclusion across all levels of participation.”

The awarding committee acknowledged that Cathy had battled breast cancer during 2024, adding: “Despite the adversity and uncertainty that Cathy faced at the time, she remained resolute, determined and a pillar of strength. Having now returned to full duties, she continues to make an impact and sets standards for others to follow.”
Cathy was a joint winner of the award alongside Ross Campbell, of Heriot-Watt University.

Stirling was also shortlisted in two other categories: the women’s swim team were nominated for Team of the Year in recognition of their BUCS Long Course success, and student Grace Stirling for Volunteer of the Year, reflecting an inspiring year of work centred around advocacy, education and inclusion across sport.

Congratulations

Cathy said: “A massive congratulations to Angharad and Brad on their wins at the Scottish Student Sport Awards. Angharad has enjoyed a phenomenal season to date, competing at an Olympics and breaking a number of records, while Brad’s world-class coaching and support continues to empower our swimmers to realise their potential and compete at the highest level of their sport.

“I would also like to say well done to both Grace Stirling and the women’s swim team for being shortlisted too – just recognition for their achievements and impact.
“I’m proud of our award winners and those shortlisted – and look forward to another brilliant season of sport in 2025/26.”

Reflecting on her own award, she added: “I am very humbled and honoured to receive the SSS Honorary President’s Medal for 2025. I am privileged to be the Executive Director of Sport at such a wonderful university, and I am always grateful to work in a terrific sector, with fabulous colleagues. 

“Sport was a huge part of my student experience and formed my foundations as an individual and as a professional. I will continue to sprinkle the magic of university sport, the outturn of which makes great things happen at a recreational, participation or high performance level.”

World-class

At Stirling, athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Core sports include swimming, golf, tennis, triathlon, football and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.

Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.