Elections 2026

Bio

Hey, I'm Ellie, the Communities Officer at the Arts Students' Union London (University of the Arts London).

I'm originally from a small town just outside Liverpool, so naturally I'm a massive Liverpool fan and that's honestly where my love of sport comes from. Growing up, I did pretty much every sport going, but particularly karate, football and ice hockey.

During university, I played for the UAL Women's Football team for three years, competing in BUCS leagues and competitions. I went to an arts university, though, so I definitely have a creative side too!

Manifesto

I became a sabbatical officer for one simple reason: I believe my university needs a gym and a sports hall.

At UAL, we have zero sports facilities. We hire everything externally, and because we're an arts university, sport isn't given the recognition or attention it deserves. Yet our sports clubs still achieve amazing things, and they are one of the main drivers of community here at UAL.

I'm now in my second year as an officer, and my goal hasn't changed. I want UAL to take sport seriously and recognise the impact it has on students.

That's exactly why I want to be a BUCS Student Officer.

Too often, conversations around university sport focus on the bigger, more traditional sporting universities. Meanwhile, specialist institutions like mine or smaller universities can get left in the shadows. 

My goal would be:

Help grow sports in non-traditional and smaller institutions.

And if I'm being completely honest, this role would also help me with my own objective. It gives me one more reason to go back to my Vice-Chancellor and say, "Look at how important sports are, even at an arts university!"

I genuinely believe that if we can help supposedly "less sporty" institutions grow, then everybody wins. BUCS itself would become stronger and more representative of the diversity of higher education.

Bio

My name is Francesco and I have recently been elected as Llywydd Opportunities (president in Welsh) in my Student Union. I am, or rather was, an international student from Italy and I came to Wales 3 years ago to go to university. In my time in university I played Handball and Waterpolo, as well as co-led a UK wide swimming league in my third year. I'm passionate about sport, both from the playing side and the coaching/reffing and I'm looking forward to my year as sabbatical officer.

Manifesto

I am running for student officer because I am really passionate about student sports and their representation, and I would do my best to support the student directors in running the sabbatical officer network.

Bio

I am currently the Sports Union President at the University of Stirling and am excited to apply for the role of BUCS Student Officer. Previously, I served as President of Stirling Men's Football Club for two years, giving me valuable experience of student sport from both a club and institution-wide perspective.

Through my involvement in student sport, I have worked closely with student athletes, club committees, university staff, governing bodies and external partners. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing students across higher education sport, while reinforcing the importance of ensuring student voices are represented in decision-making.

Alongside my leadership roles, I have organised multi-club fundraisers, end-of-year showcases and charity events, collaborating with students across a range of sports. These experiences strengthened my communication and stakeholder engagement skills and highlighted the value of collaboration in delivering successful student-led initiatives. Ensuring I’m not shy when speaking publicly!

As President of Stirling Men's Football Club, I focused on developing the club both on and off the pitch. One of my proudest achievements was leading the club's Movember campaign, raising £1,802 for men's mental health initiatives. Completing a 50km ultramarathon as part of the campaign demonstrated the positive impact sport can have beyond competition despite leaving me hobbling around for a few days!

I also secured three major sponsorship agreements worth £2,500 and led the transition to a brand spanking new Adidas kit partnership for my club, helping to strengthen the club's identity and long-term sustainability.

These experiences have reinforced my passion for student sport and my commitment to representing and advocating for students. I would be proud to bring this experience, enthusiasm and student-centred approach to the role of BUCS Student Officer.

Manifesto

I represent a superb student sporting community and work across participation, performance sport, club development, inclusion and student leadership. This has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, balance competing priorities and advocate on behalf of students.

I am passionate about enhancing the student sporting experience and ensuring student perspectives remain central to the future development of university sport. Through my experience, I understand the opportunities and challenges facing students involved in sport at every level.

Representing Student Voices
I will actively engage with students and sabbatical officers across BUCS member institutions, ensuring their experiences, challenges and ideas are reflected in discussions within the Student & Sabbatical Officer Network and BUCS Advisory Group.

Sharing Best Practice and Collaboration
Across the sector, students and institutions are delivering innovative projects that improve participation, inclusion and club development. I will encourage greater collaboration between institutions, helping to share successful initiatives and create opportunities for students to learn from one another.

Championing the Value of Student Sport
Student sport delivers more than competition. It supports academic achievement, wellbeing, leadership skills, and creates friendships that last a lifetime. I will advocate for the wider impact of participation and help ensure these benefits continue to be recognised across student sport.

Additionally, having been lucky enough to experience two BUCS promotions at Stirling, I know first hand the excitement and sense of belonging student sport create. I will champion these wider benefits across higher education.

As BUCS Student Officer, I will bring energy, enthusiasm and a collaborative approach to the role. Most importantly, I will ensure students remain at the heart of conversations that shape the future of university sport.

Bio

Hi everyone, My name is Josh Darley. Beyond my different titles and roles, I am a keen cricketer who enjoys meeting friends, staying active and saying yes to opportunities. These are the reasons why I am standing for a second term as a BUCS Student Officer.

I am also very fortunate to be able to do something I love as my day job, VP Activities at Liverpool John Moores Students' Union. After doing this role for a year, I have made some great connections and done some cool things. Playing golf and talking mental health with our Vice-Chancellor for Movember and creating content with student groups come to mind. I look forward to another year of this role followed by a winter of cricket in Australia.

Other key bio facts:

• 1 dog called Charlie
• 1 girlfriend (Name TBC)
• From Shropshire 
• 1st class sport business degree
• Younger brother is a better cricketer than me

Manifesto

In this year of being a BUCS Student Officer, I have been a part of national competitions group and advisory group. I believe the relationships built with staff and sabbatical officers across the country put me in good stead for another year, to make the most out of the student officer network and linking with staff in institutions across the UK.

The Officer Network has been great this year and from what I hear is on the rise in engagement and activity from previous years! However, in reflection of my experience, there are still improvements to be made.

If elected, I would help implement:

• Encouraging Deeper sabbatical officer involvement in BUCS key strategies including Belonging Strategy and Club culture discussions, due to our closeness to the current student experience. This should allow sharing of best practice, as well as encouraging officers to conduct their own research in important areas
• Pairing 2nd year officers with 1st year officers to improve links within the network, as well as supporting other officers in a demanding role. 
• Support campaigns to ensure nationwide involvement from sabbaticals in initiatives such as Rainbow Laces and Movember.

Over this year, I have had a WonkHE article published about sport team sense of belonging, this has led me to lead sessions for Lancaster SU committee training and at the Scottish Student Sport Conference. My aim over the next year in my Liverpool John Moores role is to improve committee training, including a student leadership development package as well as exploring the sporting student experience to further belonging and reduce exclusion! I am excited to share the things we learn and help other institutions create positive club culture.

If you like or are interested in my points/manifesto, feel free to speak to me before the hustings!

Bio

My name is Lois and I am the Vice President Student Activities at Worcester Students' Union. Although my degree is in Performing Arts, I have always had a passion for sport, and value the importance it has on students' experiences. Growing up my life has always revolved around sport, I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, reaching County Level. This experience helped me understand the dedication, sacrifices and support systems needed in competitive sport. I then began dancing through performing arts and always wanted to compete in it. When starting University I knew I wanted to be involved in a Sports Club. I joined both Cheerleading and Dance and my university experience has been shaped positively from this. Joining a Sports Club gave me an escape from course stresses and has allowed me to build long lasting friendships. In second year I took on the role of Vice Chair Finance and Admin which required organisation, developing agendas and encourage engagement. I was then Chair in my final year and was able to grow the club further, gaining Performance Sport Status within the University, winning Committee Member of the Year and Sports Club of the Year. Being Chair allowed me to develop my skills in Leadership, Communication, Problem Solving and Time Management to name a few. I am passionate about positive club culture, participation and promoting less celebrated sports.

Manifesto

Positive Club Culture

What I’ve Previously Done:
Whilst Chair of dance I carried out the #SaintsSupporting campaign which encouraged members of dance to spectate and attend other sporting fixtures and events. This brought the TeamWorc community together.
I also ensured clear processes and transparency for our auditions and supported members through this process.

My Aim:
If elected as your student officer I am passionate about encouraging positive club culture across the BUCS community.

How I would achieve this:
I would aim to do this by creating a collective campaign, highlighting positive club culture and sharing best practice.

Participation and Inclusion
 
What I’ve Previously Done:
I ran a campaign titled Saints Take on the World, this was an opportunity  to take classes and celebrate dance styles from around the world outside the dance styles we compete in. This was open to all students across the university. This opened up the sport to more students and showed how important it is to create more opportunities for more students, especially underrepresented groups.

My Aim:
I would aspire to look at how BUCS can support institutions to promote the BUCS Para sport offer to students.

How I would achieve this:
I would explore BUCS event communications for Parasport events.

Promoting less celebrated sport
 
What I’ve Previously Done:
I was able to secure Dance Sport performance status within Worcester university and I am currently looking at achieving the same for cheer.

My Aim:
Should I be elected as student officer I would want to look at how cheer and dance could be considered for BUCS Sports in the future.

Why I think this is important:
Dance and Cheerleading are increasing in popularity on both a participation and competition level and performers have the same dedication and pressures as traditional sports. By recognising them as sports this could open up more opportunities and support whilst helping BUCS reach currently underrepresented groups.

Bio

Hello! I'm Anya Brentnall, very proud to have been re-elected as the Vice President Sports and Health at The Students' Union at the University of the West of England (UWE). I'm passionate and driven to create positive sporting experiences that help students develop, connect and thrive. I have a deeply held belief that sport has the power to strengthen wellbeing, belonging and leadership throughout the university experience.

In my current role I represent 3350 sports club members and the wider student sporting and active lifestyle community at UWE as well as being a Trustee of the Charity and company.

As a lover of sport, particularly my main sport of volleyball, I've competed in BUCS Indoor and Beach Volleyball for five years, gaining experience of league and knockout competition. Alongside university sport, I compete for Bristol Volleyball Club in National Division 1 and regularly on the UK Beach Volleyball Tour, giving me experience of both higher education, national and community sport.

I graduated from UWE with a First Class BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences and am a soon to be MSc Science Communication graduate. Throughout my time at UWE, I've been a club committee member, first team captain, student staff member in the SU Opportunities Team and (so far) with one year experience as the elected Vice President Sports and Health. These roles have allowed me to work closely with students, coaches, volunteers, a range of university stakeholders including the Head of Sport and the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Team, and external partners. This has given me an in-depth understanding of how student sport operates from grassroots participation through to strategic leadership, and how to manage Board/governance topics and navigate politically and reputationally challenging issues.

Manifesto

The Student Director is a unique role because it combines two important responsibilities: representing students and acting as a trustee. It requires someone who can bring student perspectives into strategic decision-making while exercising independent judgement and acting in the long-term interests of BUCS. That balance is exactly why I have put my nomination forward.

Over the past year as UWE's Vice President Sports and Health, I have learned that effective representation begins with listening, but it succeeds through good governance. At a university with 30,000+ students and 43 sports clubs, relying on individual conversations made it difficult to identify recurring issues and ensure every club's voice was heard consistently. To address this, I established UWE's first Sports Executive Committee, creating a formal representation structure through which clubs collectively identify priorities, strengthen communication with the Students' Union and University, and ensure student insight informs evidence-based decisions. Strong engagement throughout its pilot year has reinforced my belief that representation is only as effective as the structures that support it.

I have also worked to strengthen the governance of sport at UWE. Through UWE/SU Partnership Board, I advocated directly to the Vice-Chancellor and senior University Executives for the commissioning of a new University Sports Strategy and the reinstatement of Sports Board, securing both as formal commitments within a Memorandum of Understanding. These structures will continue to strengthen student influence and voice long after my term ends.

I understand that trusteeship is about weighing evidence, asking constructive questions and balancing the diverse needs of students, member institutions and BUCS. I would bring that mindset to the Board as Student Director, helping ensure student insight continues to strengthen BUCS' strategic direction and experiences of students across the sector.

Bio

I’m Darcy and I am in my 2nd term as Sports Officer at York SU. It is safe to say that university sport changed my life.

At York, I found my community through sport. I arrived as a shy teenager, but built my confidence day by day, on and off the pitch. I went on to captain the University Women’s 1st Hockey team for 2 seasons, and sat on committees for intramural hockey and football, and York Sport Union for 2 years. This led directly to me becoming Sports Officer.

My core value is that sport is for every person who wants to be involved. Through my role, I aim to create spaces for students to find their place the same way I have done. This has included creating inclusive sports sessions for underrepresented groups, expanding our offerings for trans+ students to participate at York, and helping students access free sports kit. It is our job to shape the environment so that those from all backgrounds can engage as their best selves.

My competitive involvement with BUCS was a highlight of my time as a student and it has similarly defined my time as an officer. At Conference 2025 I met dozens of staff and officers who shared my values, discussed incredible ideas, and most importantly opened their arms to me from the get-go.

In September 2025 I was elected Student Co-Chair of the Yorkshire Region. In this role, I have attended BUCS Advisory Group, interacting with a range of staff and student chairs from across the nation, learning from their varied experience and expertise. This gave me in depth insight and understanding of BUCS Governance structures.

Beyond university sport, I play for City of York HC Ladies 1s. I joined as a student and facilitated the merger between the university and city clubs, aiding the development of both. I am also an ambassador for the charity United Through Sport, with whom I completed a Sports Development Internship in 2024. Sport has shaped who I am and will remain a lifelong passion that inspires me to create opportunities for others.

Manifesto

Elevating the Student Officer Network to better equip student officers:

• In Yorkshire, we worked on revitalising our region’s student network to make it more valuable & inviting. I would do the same for the Student Network, taking on feedback to tailor information to busy officers & provide information that is usable and fits their needs. This would also allow me to more accurately advocate for them at Board level.
• Provide more support for Student Chairs, help officers to understand the governance structure and support wider contributions.
• Give new officers a second year mentor as a direct line of contact for questions and to bounce ideas off of to aid both of their professional development.

Enthusiastic Student Officers only remain in their roles for 1-2 years. We should work to retain them within HE Sport careers to continue driving positive change utilising their direct student experience:

• Encourage opportunities to network and learn from senior staff across the sector. Invite more staff across BUCS and member organisations to present to the network.
• Advertise the development opportunities available for staff through BUCS. My experiences on Misconduct Hearing Panels and volunteering at BUCS events have widened my understanding of the issues faced across member institutions and contributed to my personal development.
• Link officers with appropriate contacts for their career prospects.

Work with BUCS to create more opportunities for networking between institutions on key topics related to HE Sport:

• Bridge the gap between student officers and staff members for more effective partnerships.
• Creating more liberation sub-groups for members to improve their own feelings of belonging and develop campaigns to help underrepresented students.
• Work with senior staff on collaborative campaigns to give advice and balance officer enthusiasm with experience.
• Introduce "topic of the week" in the student network to discuss shared issues and breed innovation.

Bio

My name is Francesco and I have recently been elected as Llywydd Opportunities (president in Welsh) in my Student Union. I am, or rather was, an international student from Italy and I came to Wales 3 years ago to go to university. In my time in university I played Handball and Waterpolo, as well as co-led a UK wide swimming league in my third year. I'm passionate about sport, both from the playing side and the coaching/reffing and I'm looking forward to my year as sabbatical officer.

Manifesto

The reason I would like to be elected as Student Director is that I really want to be able to bring the student experience and perspective to the decision-making process. I really care about student sports and I want to do my best to do right by them, as well as doing my best chairing the sabbatical officer network. while I can't talk about what I do not know or haven't been trained in, I can say that I'll always hold student interests at heart.

Bio

Hi everyone, my name is Freya Rowley and I am the Activities and Opportunities Officer at the University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union, where I am incredibly excited to be entering my second term. I graduated with a degree in Creative Advertising, where I developed creative and strategic problem-solving skills and pitched ideas to industry professionals. These skills continue to shape my approach as a student leader.

Being part of sport and leading a team has truly shaped my student experience. Having moved from West Sussex to Gloucestershire, I quickly found a sense of belonging through UoG Dance - it made university feel like home. Over three years, I held a range of committee positions including Competition Coordinator, Vice-President and Club President. During this time, I was proud to help drive a positive shift in culture, host a successful home competition and contribute to the club being awarded as Sports Club of the Year.

My experience as President showed me that the impact of student sport extends far beyond physical activity, providing community, confidence, wellbeing and leadership opportunities. Seeing the difference sport made to students across my institution, inspired me to run for Sabbatical Officer, where I could support even more students to benefit from the same enriching experiences that shaped my own university journey. 

Outside of work, you'll usually find me running, cooking or spending time with my two spaniels, Max and Reg. My love of cooking has even led me to work with local restaurants over the past year to provide free cooking classes for students. I'm also always on the lookout for the best pizza or Thai food! If you see me at Conference, I'd love to have a chat!

Manifesto

I am confident that I have the passion, determination and experiences to serve as Student Director. I understand that university life is complex, and I believe the huge variety of work I have done across the year demonstrates my ability to succeed in the role:

• Served as Southwest student chair for BUCS, routinely engaging with staff and leading officer breakout sessions. 
• Been a member of BUCS advisory group, taking an active role in challenging and shaping the future work of BUCS across governance, operations and strategic priorities ensuring the student voice is heard. 
• Secured funding for a 50% reduction in sports memberships for all postgraduate students, removing a financial barrier for underrepresented groups.
• Been the lead sabbatical officer on a campus development working group - actively challenging university executive staff over decisions affecting the student experience.
• Modernised the Student Council structure, ensuring consistent quorum and greater student involvement in decision-making.
• Played a role in UK wide inclusion and wellbeing activity through the officer Movember working group and fundraising.

How I would make a positive impact if elected as Student Director:

• Further develop the officer network to better support new incoming sabbs with mentors and an online hub. I would also aim to set up an officer fund; providing small grants to supportive innovative ideas.
• Ensure institutions of all sizes and structures are represented. From small and specialist students’ unions to large sport focused universities.
• With prospective changes to the current shape of student sport, I’m incredibly passionate about ensuring the BUCS offering serves all members.
• Ensure the conversation on positive culture within sport continues with University of Gloucestershire already being a key BUCS partner on this work to date.

Bio

My name is Nathan Linde, I am the Vice President of Societies and Sports at Royal Holloway from 2026/27. My experience in student leadership has focused on creating opportunities and ensuring they remain accessible to all communities with the help of promotion.

As President of the University Boxing Club, I revived a club with no members. Rather than seeing this as a recruitment issue, I faced it as a question of representation and engagement. Why were students not participating, and what would make them feel they belonged?

I chaired committee meetings, ran promotional strategies, prepared reports and introduced changes based on student feedback. Through consultation and direct conversations with members, I redesigned participation around accessibility and community. 

One initiative I introduced, was adding female-only boxing sessions to create an environment where women could box in confidence.
Within six months, boxing grew from zero to more than 60 active members.

Serving as well as the Secretary of the Eastern European Society, my understanding of student engagement beyond sport broadened.
Moving into wider student representation. I advised committees including Rounders on inclusion, organised collaborations across boxing, netball, lifting and MMA, and ran surveys across sport and societies to give student insight into practical recommendations. Whilst working with university sport and the Students’ Union to support initiatives including Give It A Go.

This commitment led to my election as Vice President of Societies and Sports with over 1,470 votes. Through this role, and my upcoming induction onto the Students’ Union Board of Trustees, I will represent students through thoughtful leadership, constructive challenge and ensuring student experience remains central to decision-making.

I want to serve as Student Director because student voices should not simply be heard. They should help shape the future of university sport.

Manifesto

University sport matters because it changes people before they realise they are changing.

Students arrive expecting qualifications and leave having discovered communities, responsibilities and versions of themselves they had not expected to become. Sports are often where this happens first. Not because they ask students to succeed, but because they ask them to participate.

That is why I am standing for Student Director.

I do not believe the role exists simply to carry student opinions into meetings. Representation means more than repeating concerns after decisions have already been made. It means ensuring students influence the conversations that shape their experience from the beginning.
If elected, I want to strengthen the connection between students and the decisions made within BUCS so that student voice becomes something active rather than symbolic.

I want student officers and representatives across institutions to feel that good ideas do not remain isolated within one university, one committee or one region. Some of the strongest solutions in university sport already exist among students themselves. BUCS should help create the conditions for those ideas to travel.

I want to invoke participation not as a number but as a principle. Growth matters, but growth only becomes meaningful when students feel welcomed into communities they believe they belong in.

I will represent students with the understanding that challenge and support are not opposites. Good leadership should ask difficult questions, remain open to different perspectives and still move conversations forward.

I will make students to feel ownership over university sport.

Higher Education sport should not be designed only for students.

It should increasingly be shaped with them.

If elected, that is the approach I will bring to BUCS: listening seriously, representing responsibly and helping ensure that students are trusted not only as participants - but as contributors to the future of university sport.

Nathan's video manifesto can be viewed here.