Thursday
8.45am - Day Delegate Registration
9.00am - Keynote TBC
More information and location TBC.
10.00am - Breakout sessions
1. Boosting student engagement through Intramural Sport: Real strategies that work
Description: Looking to elevate your intramural sport offer? This session will share tried-and-tested approaches from universities successfully engaging students through inclusive, well-run programmes. Learn how to deliver impactful social and competitive leagues with smart systems for fixture management, marketing, eligibility, and promotion/relegation. Walk away with fresh ideas, real examples, and the tools to make your intramural sport offer thrive.
Session facilitator(s): Charlie Mascall - Participation and Competition Manager, University of Surrey, Molly Catlin - Sport Participation Officer, University of Surrey and Matthew Craven - Sport Development Officer, University of Hull
Suggested audience: Participation staff
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
2. Life as a trans+ student: How to support trans+ students
Description: Research indicates that trans people are more likely to experience poor mental health, especially depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, with rates higher than the general population norms. This session will explore how we can support the trans+ students who participate in sport and physical activity.
Session facilitator: Izzy Watkins, Student Minds
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Workshop
Location: TBC
3. Student Officers - Supporting you to drive positive behavioural change
Description: The Student Officer Network has highlighted behavioural challenges in higher education sport, stressing the need for better education, clearer support, and consistent follow-up. Transitioning from club member to student officer presents difficulties, especially in enforcing club standards while maintaining community ties. This session will examine support structures for officers managing both disciplinary and welfare responsibilities, share best practices, and explore future initiatives to improve student behaviour and student officer experiences.
Session facilitator: Alex Duggan - Student Director, BUCS
Suggested audience: Sabbatical Officers and Institution Administrators
Session format: Network session
Location: TBC
4. Team tactics: Coordinating events like a championship squad
Description: Open to all, this session will showcase real-world examples of delivering high-quality events with sustainability at their core, led by an industry expert. Through storytelling and best practice sharing, attendees will gain practical insights into how to deliver exceptional event experiences while embedding sustainable thinking throughout, helping to create lasting, positive impact.
Session facilitator(s): Alice Wilkie - Head of Events (Operations), BUCS and Paige Nuttall - Event Coordinator, Loughborough Sport
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Workshop
Location: TBC
5. Senior Managers Network
Description: To be sent directly to SMN members.
Session facilitator(s): Cathy Gallagher - Chair of BUCS Senior Managers Executive/Network
Suggested audience: SMN
Session format: TBC
Location: TBC
11.00am - Refreshments and networking
Location TBC.
11.30am - Ask BUCS
More information and location TBC.
12.30pm - Lunch
1.30pm - Keynote: Emily Campbell
2.30pm - Breakout sessions
1. From BUCS to the IOC: Sport, leadership & purpose
Description: My journey from competing in BUCS championships to becoming one of just 25 global IOC Young Leaders. Learn how university sport shaped his leadership, opened international doors, and sparked his drive to launch a community sport project in Aberdeen - and how sport can be a powerful force for change.
Session facilitator: Murhad Hussain
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
2. Social media best practice for students
Description: A best practice session looking at ways students can use the power of social media to amplify the BUCS sporting experience. From recruitment and live scoring, to brand consistency and storytelling, the session will act as a toolkit for student-athletes and media.
Session facilitator: Rhys Hayward - Director of Marketing and Commercial, BUCS
Suggested audience: Sabbatical Officers
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
3. Successful models of officials and coach academies/hubs/communities.
Description: TBC
Session facilitator: Natalia Marshall - Coaching, Officiating and Outreach Manager, Loughborough University
Suggested audience: Workforce Leads
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
4. Culture, behaviour and driving positive change
Description: What experience do we want for the students taking part in BUCS competition. This session will start to explore the behaviours that contribute to an exceptional student sporting experience. We will also hear from a member on how they have approached club culture and driven positive change.
Session facilitator: Amy Preston
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
5. Wellbeing Programmes
Description: Now more than ever, prioritising wellbeing is essential. This workshop is part of a wider initiative to enhance student and staff engagement across King’s College London, with a strong focus on promoting a healthy work-life balance and creating a supportive environment where all students and staff can thrive. You’ll learn about the range of support, resources, and wellbeing initiatives available through King’s, including transformative opportunities offered by the King’s Sport & Wellness Academy.
Session facilitator: Laura Edwards - Engagement and Wellness Manager, Kings College London
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
3.30pm - Refreshments and networking
Location TBC.
3.50pm - In Conversation With
More information and location TBC.
4.45pm - Conference close
Closing comments
Location: TBC
7.00pm - Awards drinks reception
7.45pm - BUCS Awards dinner
More information and location TBC.
10.00pm - Awards drinks and after party
More information and location TBC.