Elections 2025

Bio

Hi, I’m Anna Edvaldsson, current Sports President at the University of Strathclyde, and I’m now in my second year in the role. I went to Strath to study Mathematics, Statistics and Accounting but it’s student sport that’s really shaped my university experience.

I’ve played netball since primary school and was proud to be part of the national setup during my time as a player. I’ve coached, volunteered, sat on committees, sports exec and helped lead on big SU events (pretty much thrown myself into anything going on). I’ve seen student sport from just about every angle, and I care a lot about making it a space where people feel included and proud to be part of it.

I also joined a club volleyball team this year, my first time properly learning a new sport as an adult which gave me a whole new perspective on how nerve-wracking starting something new can be. It reminded me how much first impressions matter and how important it is to build environments that feel genuinely welcoming.

One of my favourite projects I've led on this year is a sports outreach project, where we introduced students from our clubs into a primary school from a low SIMD background to lead on sports sessions. It wouldn’t have happened without the university's widening access team giving me a contact, and it’s been great seeing how much our students, the pupils and the teachers have taken from it. 

Throughout this last year in the role I’ve worked closely with our university exec on big-picture goals, contributed to the Strath Union strategy as a trustee, and supported our clubs through a variety of challenges. 

To be honest, I just love sport. The reason I’m still here is because of BUCS as the community I built through my team kept me in university. There’s nothing quite like student sport and I want to contribute to getting more people to feel that.

Manifesto

Student sport is one of the most powerful ways we build belonging, leadership and pride across our institutions. But being a sabb in this space can also be really isolating, you don’t fully understand it until you’re in it.

That’s why I want to make the BUCS Student Network a space that feels connected and empowering all year round not just at conference dates or calls. We should be highlighting wins, sharing learning, and showing students that their feedback is heard and acted on (or where it can’t be, explained transparently). Greater understanding leads to better buy-in, and that can start with us!!

It's so important for the student voice to engage meaningfully with BUCS, influence it's strategy, and feel part of a collective student sport movement. Some of the most important things I’ve worked on haven’t just come from survey data, they’ve come from just listening. Data tells part of the story, but the day-to-day experiences and conversations we as sabbs have with students bring that story to life.

We must do more to make leadership pathways accessible, especially for women and underrepresented students. Volunteering is becoming less accessible, so we need to understand and remove the barriers, not just assume. Part of that means working smarter with what’s already around us. I’m really passionate about using the expertise that already exists within our institutions to help shape those opportunities: whether that’s staff in faculties, widening access or employability teams. If we bridge those gaps, we can create more collaborative, inclusive routes into leadership. Strengthening those relationships helps students and staff feel more connected to sport and also helps BUCS tap into a wider professional network beyond clubs alone.

BUCS has the power to shape how students connect with their universities and each other. I’d be excited to strengthen that impact and represent the voice of student sport across the sector.

Bio

As the current Sport Executive Officer at Loughborough University — now re-elected for a second term — I proudly represent and support over 5,500 Athletic Union members across 63 clubs, alongside more than 250 student committee members. My role also extends to overseeing other key areas of student sport, including Intra-Mural Sport (IMS), which engages over 2,000 participants. 

I chair both the AU Executive Team and the Sport Senate — the highest forum for student sport representation at Loughborough — ensuring that student voices lead the conversation on the future of sport at our university. 

Having graduated in Sport Science, my involvement in Loughborough life goes well beyond my degree. Over the past three years, I’ve volunteered across the sport landscape — coaching, delivering events, and driving inclusion-focused initiatives through IMS. I’ve also taken part in several IMS sports and represented AU Korfball, which reflects my passion for inclusive and accessible participation. 

I’m someone who thrives outside of my comfort zone. This year, I trained for and competed in Student Fight Night, raising over £800 for charity and stepping into the ring after eight weeks of intense preparation — one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I then took to the stage to present the next round of the event, developing my public speaking skills and further deepening my commitment to student engagement and fundraising. I’ve even jumped out of a plane (with a parachute!) — because I believe growth comes from pushing boundaries. 

I bring energy, commitment, and a genuine belief in the power of student sport to build community, inspire confidence, and create lasting impact. I’m excited by the opportunity to bring this passion and experience to the role.

Manifesto

As a Student Officer, I will work alongside the Student Director to celebrate the achievements of Sabbatical Officers, Student Officers, and Student Directors across the country. By gathering highlights from each region, we can showcase success in a meaningful and accessible way—whether through a dedicated BUCS newsletter, a spotlight on the website, or social media features. Recognising this work not only boosts morale and confidence but also encourages innovation and helps others replicate impactful initiatives at their own institutions. 

I also want to make communication with Sabbatical Officers more engaging. By introducing themed polls and quick-fire surveys, we can provide regular BUCS updates in a format that’s easy to digest—and fun to interact with. It’s about sharing the right information, in the right way, to keep officers informed and involved. 

Another key focus will be supporting the Chair in building strong relationships with Regional Student Chairs. These chairs are vital for gathering real-time feedback and maintaining local engagement. I’ll work with them to make regional meetings more dynamic and rewarding for Sabbatical Officers—using tools like hot-topic breakout discussions, interactive activities to give the sabbatical officers a chance to socialise more informally. Making these meetings more engaging will help boost both attendance and the sense of community across the network.

Bio

Hi, I’m Jasmyn, I’m 23 and currently in the role as Vice President Sport at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union. My journey in student sport has been shaped by a deep commitment to representation, wellbeing, and creating inclusive opportunities for all students to engage in sport at every level.

Before becoming a sabbatical officer, I was the Social and Wellbeing Officer for NTU Cheerleading and currently compete on the East Midlands Level 3 cheer team. Alongside this, I hold a Psychology undergraduate degree and a master’s in forensic Mental Health, where I focused my final research project on eating disorders within sport, highlighting my passion for supporting athlete wellbeing. I'm also training to run the Budapest this October in support of Student Minds, reinforcing my commitment to student mental health.

Throughout my time as VP Sport, I’ve made it a priority to celebrate student success, raise awareness of key issues, and ensure sport remains accessible and inclusive. This is clear through my work and presence on my officer Instagram page, where I champion student voices and highlight achievements across all levels of participation alongside showcasing my events, I work on throughout the year with UoN, such as Varsity.
I’m passionate about student representation and want to ensure every student, regardless of background or ability, feels seen, supported, and inspired through university sport. I’m running for this role to continue building a community where student voices help shape the future of BUCS and the wider sporting experience.
 

Manifesto

Hello, I’m Jasmyn, Vice President Sport at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union. My journey through sport, from a club committee member to sabbatical officer, has shown me how powerful student voice can be when we work together. I’m standing to be a Student Officer because I want to build on the strong foundations laid by those before me and help to continue to develop a strongly connected, inclusive, and impactful network.

During my first year as a sabbatical officer, I’ve worked hard to increase recognition for student athletes, promote inclusivity, and ensure sport is accessible to all. I’ve also actively engaged with other officers through BUCS events and the student and sabbatical officer network, seeing first-hand the value of shared knowledge and collaboration. 

If elected, I will help develop engaging agendas and forums that reflect genuine officer and student priorities, support the Chair in delivering purposeful meetings, and provide space for meaningful discussion and support. I’ll build on the work of current officers by increasing engagement across the network, particularly from underrepresented institutions or voices, and supporting regional student chairs to ensure local feedback influences national direction. 

Lastly, as part of the Advisory Group, I’ll bring honest, informed contributions to help shape the BUCS strategy, pushing to improve and advocate for the student sporting experience.
 

Bio

Entering my first year of sabbatical officer as VP Activities at LJMU/JMSU. I have previously held many roles in men's cricket, most notably president of the club this year. Leading the club has been an honour, enabling students from all backgrounds and abilities to thrive on and off the field. From improving coaching standards to sober socials, cricket has become a family many members adore. Our club received 1 club of the year award and back-to-back Member's Choice awards (voted by our peers). 

My experience in BUCS sport continued through Ultimate Frisbee, learning a new skill and competing allowed me to view university sport through a beginner's eyes. This allowed me to become a better committee member when new members joined cricket and the running club which I co-founded with my best friend. We have enabled 100s of people to come together, improving their time at university through the power of sport. 

In addition, achieving a first class sport business degree has allowed me to understand the needs of sport organisations. Ensuring they have a sustainable strategy to future proof its success, while offering its stakeholders the best possible value is imperative. As part of my degree, I completed a dissertation on student's sense of belonging in LJMU sport teams. Conducting focus groups backed up with a photovoice method to bring their experiences to life. This dissertation allowed me to understand different views from a range of sports (Individual or team), skill levels and socio-economic backgrounds. I plan to use my findings within my sabbatical role as well as taking them forward into this role to allow BUCS to engage deeper with the student experience.

Manifesto

My experience of student sport over the last 4 years at LJMU has been excellent. In my role as VP Activities, I want to create a positive impact on student experience, throughout my own university and within BUCs.

I am approachable and friendly, advocating a student first approach, pushing them to reach their potential through the power of sport. I aim to increase direct contact with students, ensuring all students are heard no matter their background or university. 
 
If elected to the role, I will be visible to student officers across the country. 
Along with the other officers, I would host focus groups for student officers to invite students and discuss all things BUCS sport. This valuable feedback with support with driving positive change to drive BUCS in a direction that champions clear communication between BUCS and the student athletes! 

This will also help students to get involved and understand BUCs as more than just their Wednesday afternoon! Even as a very involved member of a sports society, communication can get lost along the way.
 These sessions can also help officers (both new and returning) share best practice to ensure every student officer has the chance to improve their sporting experience. 

As part of my role in JMSU, I aim to help increase sponsorship opportunities to ensure financial aid and stability.  I want the clubs to be independent and give students the chance to improve their soft skills, while increasing their revenue to improve their university sport experience. I experienced this first hand during my time as a committee member as we utilised sponsorships to remove certain financial barriers to increase the sense of belonging and team community. 

My experiences in life so far have allowed me to be able to communicate well across differing ages and backgrounds. I would love the opportunity to help improve students' experience using the power of sport.

Bio

As the current Sport Executive Officer at Loughborough University — now re-elected for a second term — I proudly represent and support over 5,500 Athletic Union members across 63 clubs, alongside more than 250 student committee members. My role also extends to overseeing other key areas of student sport, including Intra-Mural Sport (IMS), which engages over 2,000 participants. 

I chair both the AU Executive Team and the Sport Senate — the highest forum for student sport representation at Loughborough — ensuring that student voices lead the conversation on the future of sport at our university. 

Having graduated in Sport Science, my involvement in Loughborough life goes well beyond my degree. Over the past three years, I’ve volunteered across the sport landscape — coaching, delivering events, and driving inclusion-focused initiatives through IMS. I’ve also taken part in several IMS sports and represented AU Korfball, which reflects my passion for inclusive and accessible participation. 

I’m someone who thrives outside of my comfort zone. This year, I trained for and competed in Student Fight Night, raising over £800 for charity and stepping into the ring after eight weeks of intense preparation — one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I then took to the stage to present the next round of the event, developing my public speaking skills and further deepening my commitment to student engagement and fundraising. I’ve even jumped out of a plane (with a parachute!) — because I believe growth comes from pushing boundaries. 

I bring energy, commitment, and a genuine belief in the power of student sport to build community, inspire confidence, and create lasting impact. I’m excited by the opportunity to bring this passion and experience to the role.

Manifesto

Please click HERE to view Frankie's video manifesto.

Bio

Hi, I’m Jasmyn, I’m 23 and currently in the role as Vice President Sport at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union. My journey in student sport has been shaped by a deep commitment to representation, wellbeing, and creating inclusive opportunities for all students to engage in sport at every level.

Before becoming a sabbatical officer, I was the Social and Wellbeing Officer for NTU Cheerleading and currently compete on the East Midlands Level 3 cheer team. Alongside this, I hold a Psychology undergraduate degree and a master’s in forensic Mental Health, where I focused my final research project on eating disorders within sport, highlighting my passion for supporting athlete wellbeing. I'm also training to run the Budapest this October in support of Student Minds, reinforcing my commitment to student mental health.

Throughout my time as VP Sport, I’ve made it a priority to celebrate student success, raise awareness of key issues, and ensure sport remains accessible and inclusive. This is clear through my work and presence on my officer Instagram page, where I champion student voices and highlight achievements across all levels of participation alongside showcasing my events, I work on throughout the year with UoN, such as Varsity.
I’m passionate about student representation and want to ensure every student, regardless of background or ability, feels seen, supported, and inspired through university sport. I’m running for this role to continue building a community where student voices help shape the future of BUCS and the wider sporting experience.

Manifesto

I’m Jasmyn, the Nottingham Trent Students’ Union Vice President Sport. My experience throughout this role so far, and my time as a student involved within sport, has inspired me to push further. I want to drive lasting change at a national level and ensure students' voices truly shape the future of university sport.

As a dedicated leader with a passion for sport and student representation, I am standing to be your next Student Director. My vision is to ensure that every officer and student voice is heard, valued, and acted upon.

I believe university sport is about community, wellbeing, opportunity, and personal growth. I will champion these values by co-chairing and growing the Student & Sabbatical Officer Network with transparency, energy, and inclusivity. I will ensure your concerns, are brought directly to the BUCS Board, influencing decisions that shape our student’s sporting experience.

During my first year as a sabbatical officer, I’ve taken an active and collaborative role within the officer network, using every opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn from others to enhance the student experience. At NTU, this has included championing greater recognition for students involved in university sport and driving forward initiatives shaped by other officers.

I believe it is crucial to act as a bridge between students, regional chairs, and the Board, advocating with passion and driving progress on student priorities in the BUCS strategy. As your student director I will be a committed and approachable representative, ensuring that students and sabbatical officers across the UK feel heard, supported, and empowered through the BUCS network.

Bio

Hello! My name is Karl Kirkpatrick, and I’m the President of Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA). I have held this position for a year and have recently been elected to serve a second term! I graduated from the University of Glasgow last year, with a degree in International Relations and Social and Public Policy. During my time at university, I held multiple voluntary positions both within Glasgow University Athletics Club and Glasgow University Sports Association, where I worked my way from Events Convenor, to Secretary, and finally to President.
 
I am from a town called Comber, which is about half an hour from Belfast in Northern Ireland. I moved to Glasgow for university in September 2020, and my first year was filled with lockdowns, stay-at-home warnings, and online classes. It was during this time that I came to fully realise that the positive impact of sport stretched far beyond the physical benefits. Joining the athletics club allowed me to look after my mental health, and to expand my social circle beyond my flatmates. Since then, sport as more than just physical activity is something that I have been incredibly passionate about and is a core value that I have carried into my role as President of GUSA, as well as ensuring that sport is as accessible as possible to as many students as possible.
 
I love to run and hike and have enjoyed exploring Scotland since I moved here. Additionally, outside of sport I love music and was a member of the Glasgow University Orchestra at the start of my time at university.

Manifesto

I believe I have the experience, knowledge, and passion to excel as Student Director. I am acutely aware of the needs of students, and the work I have done over the past year reflects this, for example:

• I oversaw the planning and development of the GUSA Student Survey. We received over 1,000 responses, including many from those who are not involved in sport, allowing me to accurately represent students through a data-driven approach.
• I successfully applied for university funding to recruit an intern to support our work in engaging with groups who are less involved in sport at GU, such as home students, non-EU international students, and mature students.
• I successfully pushed for the introduction of weekly female-only sessions, with the aim of including more female students who don’t feel confident in the gym. These have garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from all involved.
• I successfully worked with the university to look at introducing a direct debit membership option, to ease the financial pressure on students at the start of the academic year.
• I have been a strong voice in the Scottish Student Sport (SSS) sabbatical network.

Additionally, I am a strong and confident leader, and I am extremely outgoing and personable. Over the past year I have overseen the elected GUSA Council, which involves chairing all Council meetings, as well as overseeing the work and development of all Council members.

I will bring a wealth of experience to the role, as well as a critical understanding of the biggest issues facing students. I will be able to feed into the delivery of the BUCS Strategy over the next two years, and support in key areas of development, specifically evidencing and advocating for the impact of sport on student experience and success, and stimulating lifelong active wellbeing. I believe that BUCS can appeal to many students who do not want to compete, and I look forward to supporting the development of campuses where all students are active.

Bio

Sport, and BUCS sport in particular, has always been a massive part of my life ever since I first arrived at university, and having the chance this year to immerse myself even further into the organisation as a sabbatical officer has been hugely rewarding. I would love the opportunity to deepen this involvement, and to utilise the experience I have built this year, to help continue improving the BUCS experience for all.

I have been incredibly lucky to work and participate with BUCS in a number of different capacities. As an athlete, I have competed across the entire BUCS pyramid as a student, right from the Northern Prem in Fencing, the sport I'm good at, to the Midlands 4th Tier in Rugby, the sport I'm not. I have also refereed multiple Championship finals at BUCS Nationals and Big Wednesday, witnessing BUCS from a voluntary official role; and of course have had deep engagement as a sabbatical officer this year, serving as a Regional Student Chair for the West Midlands, and sitting as a member of BUCS Advisory - spaces which I've found hugely interesting to be part of. 

Furthermore, I believe many of my achievements as a sabbatical officer this year would be beneficial to me progressing into a BUCS student role. Big focuses have been on creating a strong network of our club committee members to guide our decision making, ensuring we remain member focused. Furthermore, I have helped drive significant progress around positive culture and behaviour, increasingly a concern across the sector. As such, I feel like I would be able to bring a unique range of experiences and perspectives to a BUCS student role, which would be beneficial for such a broad organisation.

Sport has always been a central part of my life, and having the chance to live and breathe it this year has been phenomenal. To be able to build upon the experience which I have gained this year, and to give back to the organisation from which I have gotten so much, would be a true privilege. 

Manifesto

Please click HERE to view Louis' video manifesto.

Bio

I am a compassionate and driven leader. I’ve been involved in the HE sports movement for over 20 years. Starting as a Leisure Assistant putting up badminton courts, to running in the student elections and gaining the position of Student Activities Officer, to now being Head of Sport at De Montfort University, with some years working at TASS too.  

I’ve found myself to be approachable for colleagues and students, I keep the student at the core of decision making whilst ensuring value of money for the service. I’ve over ten years of being in leadership positions within complex university environments.  

I currently lead a multi-disciplinary sport facilities and delivery team as the Head of Sport, whilst being a key member within the Estate and Facilities directorate senior leadership team (SLT). The team is 40 full-time staff and over 60 part time. As part of the Estates SLT, I have additional responsibility for supporting over 300 campus services staff.  

In my role as Head of Sport, I am responsible for strategic operational functions of health & safety legislation, consumer rights, risk management, student conduct and setting the standards for culture and behaviours, which includes the mapping and displaying the De Montfort University (DMU) Values. 

In my spare time I’ve previously been heavily involved in the rowing world, however now I’m dedicating my time to loved ones, including various godmother duties, trying to convince myself to go for runs and learning how to be a gardener (not a skill that comes naturally to me).  

Manifesto

Please click HERE to view Fiona's video manifesto.

Bio

I have been involved with University Sport for almost 30 years. I started on the pathway as a student sport sabbatical officer at the University of York, fell in love with HE Sport and haven't looked back since.

Employment History

• Director of Sport: University of Nottingham 2010-Present
• Director of Sport: University of Portsmouth 2004-2010
• Assistant Director of Sport: University of Essex 1999-2004
• Sports Administrator: Royal Holloway Students' Union 1997-1999
• Athletic Union President: University of York 1996-1997

Current voluntary and non-executive roles:

• BUCS Senior Managers Executive (2013-2018 & 2022-Present)
• BUCS Advisory Group (2021-Present)
• BUCS Sports Implementation Review Group (2016-2018 & 2022- Present)
• TASS Management Group (2021-Present)
• BUCS Hockey Sports Management Group (1996-Present), and Chair since 2007.

Previous voluntary and non-executive roles:

• School Governor at Samworth Academy (2011- 2015)
• Manager for the England Ladies Indoor Hockey Side (2007-2014)
• CSP Nottinghamshire: Sat on both the Strategic Facilities and Major Events Committees (2011-2014)
• Chair of UCS East (2003-5)
• Coach of English Universities Women’s Hockey (2004-6) and Manager of English & British Universities Men’s Hockey (1999-2004)

Manifesto

I have been involved in BUCS for ~30 years and have benefited from the experiences it has offered me and the networks it has provided. As a member organisation I believe it is important for members to take an active role in supporting the delivery / evolution of BUCS and therefore I have always tried to support the organisation where I can. 

Advisory Group is a unique forum, as one of the few forums with representation from across the membership. I therefore see it as a vital cog in the wheels of the organisation and I am keen to help continue its effectiveness in providing member feedback to inform BUCS Executive and Board. 

I feel I have a good breadth of experience that will help me if I am successful in securing the Chair’s role, having started off as a sabbatical officer; working for both Students’ Unions and Universities, and working in 5 different regions at institutions of varying sizes / sporting profiles.

In terms of BUCS, I have also tried to support a broad cross-section of its portfolio: engaging in the international programmes through managing sides within the Home Nations Competition; supporting the competition programme through the Sport Implementation Review Group; supporting regions by being Chair of the East Region, and Vice-Chair of the South-East. I have been on the BUCS Hockey Advisory Group for 29 years, chairing it for the past 18 years and I also sit on the BUCS Senior Managers Executive and BUCS Advisory Group. 

Whilst I feel I have been a devoted supporter of BUCS throughout my career, I haven’t shied away from raising issues or queries, where I feel it is in the best interests of BUCS, providing an appropriate balance of support and constructive challenge. 

Finally I believe the community that BUCS provides is one of its greatest assets, and I have always been proactive in supporting others – a good example would be the Teams site I set up during Covid to help share knowledge and information, and which is still operating today. 

Bio

Hi, I’m Kate, a passionate advocate for student sport. With over 15 years in the Higher Education sport sector, I’ve had the privilege of leading award-winning programmes, building partnerships that have made a positive difference, and helping thousands of students find their place in sport, whether that is participation, performance or volunteering.

Currently, I’m Head of Sport Development at Nottingham Trent University, where I lead a fantastic team delivering inclusive, innovative programmes that have boosted student engagement and earned national recognition from BUCS and ukactive. Before that, I spent over a decade at Northumbria University as a Sport Development Manager building a successful Leadership and Volunteer Programme and providing students with experiences that supported their journey in to employment post university. 

One of the most rewarding experiences of my career was being involved in The Volunteer Zambia Programme as part of the Wallace Group. I’ve been very fortunate to visit Zambia a number of times and support students to deliver sports coaching in some of the most deprived communities in Zambia. Seeing first-hand the impact student leaders had within the community, providing opportunities for young people to come together, in a fun environment and develop new skills was amazing! It also had a huge impact on me personally and allowed me to realise the power sport can have on young people wherever you are in the world. 

Outside of work, I’m a proud (and busy!) mum to Mia, and partner to Col - I love being outdoors whether that’s skiing, cycling, walking, or just exploring somewhere new. 

If elected as Chair of the BUCS Advisory Group and Board Trustee, I’ll bring a collaborative approach for members, providing insight and input to allow student sport to be the best it can be.

Manifesto

I am standing for the role of Chair of the BUCS Advisory Group and Board Trustee to ensure the voice of the membership is central to BUCS’s strategic direction. With over 15 years of experience in Higher Education sport, I bring a good understanding of the sector, experience of strategic leadership, and a passion to providing inclusive sport and physical activity opportunities for students. 

Throughout my career at Northumbria University and now as Head of Sport Development at Nottingham Trent University, I have strategically led sport and physical activity programmes that have increased participation and performance sport, enhanced wellbeing, and empowered students through leadership and volunteering. I have experience of building strategic partnerships with organisations and charities to develop impactful projects, examples include The FA Women’s High-Performance Centre and Rackets Cubed. 

I have previously served as a volunteer Director of the Northumbria Sport Foundation, a charity which aims to improve health, well-being and social inclusion within the community. As a member of the board, I provided independent oversight and strategic guidance helping shape the long-term direction and sustainability. As the current BUCS East Midlands Staff Chair and a current member of the BUCS Sport Advisory Group, I have championed regional and national collaboration, creating meaningful discussions across the membership, and acting as a key conduit between members to advise BUCS in their decision making. 

If elected, I will ensure the Advisory Group is a collaborative, representative forum where everyone’s voice is heard and which informs BUCS strategic priorities through meaningful consultation. I will work closely with the Executive team, offering support, constructive challenge, and member perspectives by playing an active role on the Board to support BUCS and our delivery of the strategy for our members and partners.

Bio

Educated in Astrophysics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science but followed a passion for sport after university to support more positive student experiences through sport and physical activity.

Strategic and results driven leader specialising in higher education sport and physical activity. Over 20 years’ experience in the sector including leadership roles in higher education, national governing bodies and working with sector partners in delivering high level service user and educational experiences. A variety of roles have supported leading hard and soft FM services, participation sport and fitness programmes, high performance sport pathways including multi-disciplinary team support, retail, catering services and major events delivery. Delivered vocational training programmes aligned to academic outcomes in support of core institutional objectives in addition to supporting HE partnerships with various NGBs in developing and delivering student sport.

Current Chair of the North-West Region and Vice-Chair of BUCS Sport Review and Implementation Group.

Manifesto

Having been an strong advocate for student sport over my time working in the sector, I hope to provide support to the group to have the voice of our students heard through the competition portfolio that we offer through BUCS into the future.

Students are at the heart of what we do and support. Our offer needs to reflect students changing expectations in order to continue to grow participation across a range of opportunities and to provide positive experiences when engaging in our programmes. The role of Competitions Group is key in ensuring that BUCS is responsive and dynamic in how it reacts to these opportunities.

The group also need to understand the pressures that students and institutions are under with proactive initiatives to respond to these challenges and ensure a robust portfolio that is meeting the needs of all stakeholders.

I have experience in leading a range of task and finish groups within institutions in addition to groups across the BUCS network.  I have also sat on NGB boards and have held remits focussing on high performance player pathways, grass routes learn to play and education.  I have also supported the development of university ice hockey as Chair.

Bio

My name is Anna Russell and I am Assistant Head of Activities - Sport at Cardiff University Students’ Union. Previously working at Oxford Brookes University, I have worked in this sector since 2018. 

My current role oversees the Athletic Union, where we have over seventy affiliated student-led sports clubs representing Cardiff University. Our responsibility is to ensure we provide a positive, safe and inspiring student experience, whether in weekly BUCS competition, the organisation of our annual Welsh Varsity, or the delivery of comprehensive committee training, and so on. It is hugely rewarding to be part of the team facilitating an environment for student-athletes to thrive in their sport, whilst balancing their academic studies. Additionally, I am currently National Teams Manager for Welsh Universities. The purpose of this role is to provide training and competition opportunity for the highest performing athletes studying at a Welsh University.

In May 2022, I became the BUCS National Competitions Group representative for Wales, where I am responsible for presenting our regional feedback towards any recommended direction of the BUCS competition landscape. My involvement in Competitions Group is something I thoroughly enjoy. I am required to maintain an in-depth knowledge of the BUCS competition structure, including the challenges and limitations, whilst ensuring that I truthfully and concisely represent the voices of all Members in our region.

During January 2025, I attended the FISU Winter World University Games in Torino, as HQ Coordinator for GB Students. Providing operational support to the athletes and coaches was a fantastic learning opportunity, whilst thoroughly enjoyable and contributing towards a successful tournament overall for Team GB. Further to this, I have recently been successful in my application for GB Team Support Coordinator at the FISU Summer World University Games, taking place in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany in July 2025.

Manifesto

From the above information, hopefully it is evident that I am passionate about the impact of sport and how significantly it can enhance the student experience, which is why I am encouraged to find opportunities supporting this further. Representing Wales on Competitions Group for the last three years has allowed me to recognise just how significant and valuable it is, and I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute from a different perspective as Chair.

An academic year is extremely busy and digesting the papers circulated is not always a simple task. The process of collating feedback must remain convenient, concise, and relevant, whilst at the same time ensuring that Members understand the significance of it. It is incredibly important that we have this opportunity to provide feedback, voice concerns, and help shape the competition landscape at BUCS. Alongside the team at BUCS, I would continue to ensure that Competitions Group remains valuable, and Members are encouraged to engage effectively.

My current role requires me to lead meetings in a timely and efficient manner, with both students and external stakeholders, occasionally having to challenge discussion, create solutions, or make judgement calls based on the information available. This would support my ability to do so as Competitions Group Chair, encouraging the discussion to stay on agenda and within a certain timeframe, whilst ensuring that all feedback has been heard and considered before any decision making.

Being Chair of Competitions Group requires a high level of organisation, knowledge, and commitment, to facilitate productive and responsible discussion in the interests of Members and the development of BUCS competition. I hope the information provided within my application and manifesto supports that I would strive to deliver this to the best of my ability.