At this year’s Scottish Student Sport Awards, the University of Stirling earned its title of Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence by taking home three major awards.
Olympian Angharad Evans took Female Athlete of the Year and her coach, Bradley Hay, was crowned Coach of the Year. Cathy Gallagher, Executive Director of Sport, picked up the Honorary President’s Medal.
Angharad’s Story
Angharad’s year has been wild. At just 22, she’s already an Olympian, making the final of the 100m Breaststroke in Paris last summer. She then went on to win silver with Team GB at the World Championships in the medley relay. Add in breaking British records, two national titles, plus a handful of BUCS golds and you can see why she’s walking away with this award.
But here’s the bit that makes it really relatable. She nearly quit swimming. She’d lost the joy, the spark, the reason to keep going. Then she came to Stirling, found her love for the sport again, and everything flipped. Sometimes it’s not about pushing harder it’s about changing your environment.
Now she’s gearing up for the World Championships in Singapore later this month, her first time on that stage. And she’s loving every second of it.
The Coach Behind it All
Bradley Hay isn’t one to hog the spotlight but, let’s be honest, he’s been huge for Stirling’s swimming success. Eight of our swimmers went to the Olympics last year. Three medals came back. At BUCS, the women’s team even beat Loughborough.
When he got named Coach of the Year, he brushed it off, saying it was all down to the athletes and the wider support team. Classic coach answer. But if you talk to Angharad (or anyone in the squad), you realise just how much he’s changed the way they think about training, competing, and even enjoying the sport again.
Cathy’s Recognition
Then there’s Cathy Gallagher. She’s been leading Stirling Sport for years and picked up the Honorary President’s Medal for her contribution to student sport across Scotland. It’s not just about medals or big moments for her it’s about using sport as a way to create change, to include more people, and to bring communities together.
Last year, she went through breast cancer, but carried on showing up, encouraging others, and staying positive. That’s strength in every sense of the word. Her award is proof that leadership isn’t just about results; it’s about resilience, too.
Why it Matters
It’s easy to see these stories as just big wins for elite athletes. But there’s more to it than that. Stirling is showing that this is a place where people can grow and change whether you’re chasing Olympic dreams, finding your confidence on the pitch, or just trying to make exercise part of your routine again.
That’s what makes this hat-trick so special. It’s proof that sport here isn’t just about competition. It’s about rediscovering joy, building community, and pushing yourself further than you thought you could.
Image Credit: University of Stirling
