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21 March 2012

Blues and Colours to be recognised for sporting excellence

The cream of the University of Dundee's sporting community will have their achievements recognised today when the annual Blues and Colours Award Ceremony takes place.

Dozens of athletes will receive Blues, Half-Blues, Colours and Merit awards, while prestigious prizes will be presented to those sportsmen and women who have excelled at the highest level of their chosen sport or who have otherwise made an exceptional contribution to sport at the University.

Professor Pete Downes, Principal of the University, will congratulate them on their performances when he makes the presentation at the Ustinov Room, Bonar Hall on Tuesday, 20th March.

In all, 51colours, 6 Half-Blues, 5 Full Blues and 22 Merit awards will be presented to students from 26 clubs following another successful year for Dundee University Sport, the partnership between the Institute of Sport & Exercise, and Dundee University Sports Union.

Eilish McColgan (Athletics) will be awarded the Sportswoman of the Year Trophy, while Gavin Robertson (Rugby) will be named Sportsman of the Year. The Stewart Campbell Trophy will be presented to Abigail Brown, who was a member of the Scottish team that won the World Junior Curling Championships earlier this month.

Sophie Warburton, President of Dundee University Sports' Union, said the ceremony is one of the highlights of the year for University sportspeople.

"This is the time when the fantastic achievements and commitment shown by student athletes at Dundee are recognised," she said. "We will be making awards to those men and women who have excelled in their chosen sports, but we will also be taking the opportunity to recognise the efforts and dedication of every single student athlete here."

To be awarded a Colour, athletes must be a valuable member of the first team and need to serve and play in at least 85 per cent of matches for their club for at least two years. Half Blues are awarded to athletes who have performed well above average for a University first team, and who have been selected for a Scottish Universities representative squad or equivalent.

A Full Blue is reserved for athletes of outstanding ability whose performances have been of an international standard. Merit Awards are presented to athletes or committee members whose service for their club is exceptional.

Trophies for sporting excellence and outstanding voluntary dedication to club sport will also be presented.

These achievements will be further celebrated at the Blues and Colours Ball on Friday 23rd March. The event will see the Club and Team of the Year and Most Progressive Club awards presented.

Over 2000 students are matriculated in Dundee University Sports' Union and display commitment to their sports whilst balancing their academic studies. The Blues and Colours Ball recognises the hours that students dedicate to their club both in an administrative and sporting capacity.

The main awards winners are:

Sportswoman of the Year: Eilish McColgan (Athletics)

  • Dundee University Sport Scholar
  • Winner of British Universities and Colleges 2000m Steeplechase in a Championship Best Performance time
  • Ran for Great Britain in the 3000m steeplechase in the European Team Championships in the Czech Republic (June)
  • Set 2 Scottish Senior National Records in the 3000m Steeplechase in the summer of 2011
  • 3rd in the European U 23 Championships (3000m steeplechase) in the Czech Republic (July)
  • Silver in the UK World Trials 5000m
  • Set a new British U23 3000m Steeplechase All Time Record of 9mins 44.8 secs

Sportsman of the Year: Gavin Robertson (Rugby)

  • Dundee University Sport scholar
  • Plays for Dundee University Men's Rugby 1st XV and Dundee High School FP 1st XV
  • (DURFC unbeaten in 24 domestic fixtures over 2 years & crowned Scottish Universities Champions 2012)
  • Played for Scottish U20 team in current 6 Nations Championship

Stewart Campbell Trophy: Abigail Brown (Curling)

  • Dundee University Sport Scholar
  • Member of team that won the Scottish Junior Curling Championships in Perth in January
  • Member of Scottish team that won the World Junior Curling Championships in Sweden beating the Czech Republic 6 - 5 a fortnight ago

Alistair Sankey Memorial Quaich: Fiona Farquharson (Netball)

  • Member of Dundee University Netball 1st team
  • Member of Scottish U19 and U21 Netball teams
  • Member of Scottish Universities Squad
  • Dundee University Sport scholar

James Boyle Shield: Georgi Castro (Dance)

Alisdair Lonie Award: Euan Miller (Men's Rugby)

Dundee University Sport Scholar of the Year: Eilish McColgan (Athletics)

Coach of the Year: Barry Davidson (Men's Rugby)


For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277