Wednesday
9.00am - Welcome and Hustings
More information and location TBC.
10.30am - Breakout sessions
1. BUCS Articles of Association: Supporting you to make an informed vote
Description: BUCS recognises that for a number of Student Officers, the vote to reform the Articles of Association is at the start of your journey as a SABB. We therefore want to support you to ensure you are fully informed on what the changes are, why we are making them, and provide you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have ahead of the vote.
Session facilitator: Jessica Melling - Head of Governance, BUCS
Suggested audience: Sabbatical Officers
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
2. Ask BUCS panel - Competitions and events team
Description: TBC
Session facilitator(s): TBC
Suggested audience: TBC
Session format: Q&A
Location: TBC
3. Mind over muscle: the mental gains of physical games
Description: How does participation in sport support mental health, and why is it especially impactful for neurodivergent students? This session unpacks the neuroscience behind the mental health benefits of physical activity, focusing on how exercise drives changes in the brain that support wellbeing. Using data from the BUCS Active Wellbeing Survey and lived experience, we’ll explore how these effects particularly benefit students with ADHD, autism, or dyslexia - and how to apply this insight in practice.
Session facilitator: Megan Bassett - Sport Sabbatical Officer, University of Manchester
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
4. Building a sustainable coach community beyond the student body
Description: How can universities create a sense of community among coaches who differ in experience, commitment, and background? This session will explore strategies for developing and sustaining a non-student coach network within a club-led model. Learn how to foster connection, support, and shared purpose among diverse coaches - helping to strengthen programme quality, retention, and the overall club environment.
Session facilitator(s): Mark Scott - Development Lead Officer, Modern Learning and Katie Rourke - Account Executive, UK Coaching
Suggested audience: Workforce leads
Session format: TBC
Location: TBC
11.30am - Refreshments and networking
Location TBC.
12:00pm - Keynote TBC
More information and location TBC.
1.00pm - Lunch
Location TBC.
2.00pm - SportH.E podcast - live recording at Conference
Episode title: SportH.E Live - The Student Take-Over
SportH.E is back for another live edition of the podcast! Join us as for a panel session, where we will hear directly from students on their lived experience of H.E sport. We’ll explore the views and opinions of the sectors potential future workforce and seek to find out what they would change if they were BUCS CEO or a Director of Sport for a day.
3.00pm - Breakout sessions
1. BUCS Governance and operations
Description: An informative session on BUCS current Governance structures. We will explore the current subcommittee structures and governance groups, look at the composition of these groups and the flow of information between groups. An ideal session for those looking to enhance their understanding of BUCS governance.
Session facilitator(s): Jess Melling - Head of Governance, BUCS and Carrie Stephenson - Independent Trustee (Legal and Governance), BUCS
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
2. Anti-racism in practice
Description: BUCS' Race Equality & Research Implementation Group (REIG) is exploring how HE institutions can embed anti-racism across these core areas: Education and Training, Gameday Management, Student Community and Voice, Policy and Practice. This will be a collaborative workshop where REIG will seek feedback from members and provide an opportunity to share best practice. Open to all institutions regardless of previous work or experience in this space
Session facilitator(s): BUCS Race equality implementation group
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Workshop
Location: TBC
3. Creating an active campus programme to engage inactive students
Description: How can you evaluate your club sport offer to design a physical activity programme that engages a wider population of students? This session will explain how we boosted our overall engagement by providing a physical activity programme that differentiated from our club sport offer. We explain our data-driven approach, wins and losses, how we will ensure the programme remains sustainable, and novel ideas to continue engaging a more diverse demographic.
Session facilitator(s): Scott Dale - Assistant Manager (Sport), Canterbury Christ Church University and Jack Crittenden - Assistant Manager (Physical Activity and Wellbeing), Canterbury Christ Church University
Suggested audience: Participation staff
Session format: TBC
Location: TBC
4. IA Hub: Building Networks and Sharing Best Practice
Description: A dedicated and interactive session for Institutional Administrators, facilitated by BUCS staff. This is a chance to connect with peers, share good practice, and explore common challenges across regions and nations. Through open discussion and guided activities focused on navigating the demands of the season, attendees will gain practical insight into how different universities operate and build stronger, more supportive relationships.
Session facilitator(s): Neal Kington - Head of Competitions, BUCS and Maddi Cannell - Event Manager, BUCS
Suggested audience: Institution Administrators
Session format: Network session
Location: TBC
5. Enhancing student life through inclusive participation programmes
Description: This workshop will explore the significant role of non-competitive physical activity in enriching the student experience. Highlighting successful university-led initiatives - such as one-off participation events and challenge series - it will demonstrate how inclusive programming can promote wellbeing, foster community engagement, and support a more active student population. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies and practical approaches to implementing and scaling participation programmes across campus.
Session facilitator(s): Andy Barton - Sport Development Manager, Northumbria University and Lucy Smith - Active Lives Lead, University of Edinburgh
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Presentation
Location: TBC
6. Opportunities to grow participation and revenue
Description: A exploration session, with a focus on how Institutions can open up new, sustainable commercial opportunities while also offering new experiences for Gen Z students.
Session facilitator(s): TBC
Suggested audience: All members
Session format: Workshop
Location: TBC
4.00pm - Refreshments and networking
Location TBC.
4.30pm - BUCS CEO Update
Update from BUCS Chief Executive Officer, Will Roberts.
Location: TBC
5.45pm - Regions and Nations meetings (optional)
More information and location TBC.
6.30pm - Dinner
Location TBC.
8.30pm - Quiz night
More information and location TBC.