Thursday

More information and location TBC.

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 - Senior Programme Manager for Student Space at 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

Location TBC.

More information and location TBC.

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 - former BUCS athlete and International Olympic Committee Young Leader

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 - Club Development Manager, University of Birmingham

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

Location TBC.

We are delighted to have the history making duo of Orrin Carson and Robyn Munro - gold medallists in the first ever Mixed Doubles Curling event at the World University Games in Torino, join us for this year’s In Conversation session at Conference. The pair will be joined by veteran Chef de Mission, Chris Purdie, and the session will be hosted by the familiar face of former BUCS Student Officer Peter Sawkins.

Closing comments 

Location: TBC

More information and location TBC.

Following the end of the Awards, guests can head to the SU Wetherspoons for evening drinks and socialising. The afterparty will take place at the Asylum club at Hull University Students' Union.