Alex Petter is the joint winner of the Dan Porter Award at the 2020 BUCS Awards, and is a perfect example of a student going above and beyond for both their club and BUCS, as he balanced being President of Cambridge University Cycling Club alongside his radiotherapy.

Back in December, Alex was the well-deserved winner of the Dan Porter Award, sharing the title with concussion awarenes ambassador Ellie Wolfe. This award is in memory of the former Sheffield Hallam University Head of Sport and valued BUCS colleague, Dan Porter MBE, who lost his 13-year battle with cancer back in 2018.  

The award is given to an individual or group who have demonstrated a remarkable sense of character to achieve, motivate and inspire. These attributes perfectly embody everything Alex has done as President of Cambridge University Cycling Club (CUCC) and why he was the recipient for this award.  

Alex has been a dedicated club and committee member with CUCC for several years, taking on the position as ride leader in his second year and then being selected as club President in his third year. His fellow club members acknowledge that the club simply “wouldn’t be the same without him.”   

“Nothing makes me feel more alive than cycling, and I’ve made many of my closest friendships through the club. My goal on the club’s committee has always been to encourage and enable others to experience these things.”- Alex Petter 

His nomination from the club reeled off positivity, and just how much impact Alex has had. Fellow teammate Robbie outlined how Alex transformed the cycling club from “a group of people that met up to ride their bikes at weekends, to an extremely supportive community”. Alex’s dedication and hard work for the club has also meant that they have seen an influx of new participants this year; a direct result of Alex’s personality and commitment; “He is hugely encouraging to new members, always keen to be open and inclusive.” 

What seems to be Alex’s biggest influence on the university’s cycling club is his “contagious enthusiasm” and ability to “throw himself into everything.” Rain or shine, Alex is at the heart of all the weekend rides and his team mates note that his “introduction of café stops has made the club much more sociable.” 

What is arguably even more remarkable about Alex going above and beyond the expectations of a club President, is that he has achieved all of this whilst undergoing cancer treatment. Robbie recalls that "even when he was up in Manchester Monday to Friday for radiotherapy, he was running the club as enthusiastically as ever; organising training camp, ensuring rides always took place, running the committee and much more than I could possibly list." 

The Dan Porter BUCS Award isn’t the only recognition Alex achieved for all his work for UCCC. He also took home the prize for the Sports Club Personality of the Year Award at the inaugural University of Cambridge Sports Awards. The university recognised what a “transformational impact” Alex has had on Cambridge University Cycling Club, “creating a positive and supportive club culture while overseeing a massive increase in membership” - all the while facing challenging health issues.  

“I’m extremely proud to have jointly won the BUCS Dan Porter Award, not least because of the sheer number of incredible volunteers working to make student sport happen - I know there are countless people out there working hard to inspire and motivate people in sport.”- Alex Petter 

A huge congratulations Alex, your resilience, positivity and love for the sport and the club in the face of adversity is an inspiration to us all.  

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