Sporting achievements recognised at annual ceremony

The sporting achievements of students at Teesside University have been recognised at an annual awards dinner.

Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium played host to the 2024 Teesside Sports Awards, which commemorated the efforts and success of students across multiple sporting disciplines.

The ceremony was hosted by Dom Shaw, a Sports Writer at The Northern Echo and a graduate of Teesside University.

University coaches and sports staff were also present to cheer on the successes of the students.

A new set of awards, voted for by club members, was also introduced to commemorate the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Most Improved Player (MIP) at each of the University’s sports clubs.

The Team of the Year prize went to the Volleyball team, who have had a fantastic season, performing well in the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition.

The Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to footballer Jess Mett, who as well as performing well for the University and establishing herself as a regular starter for Middlesbrough FC Women, has also been called up to the England Universities Women's football squad after national trials at St George’s Park.

The male athlete prize went to Harley Harbisher, who has won numerous medals in Taekwondo at BUCS and is one of five athletes to have qualified for the European University Games.

Kickboxer Mary Corbyn also won Performance Scholar of the Year having remained undefeated in senior competitions and becoming a multiple world champion, as well as establishing herself as a regular squad player for Women's Championship side Sunderland AFC Women.

Head of Sport Will Jones said: “The Teesside Sports Awards is always a great occasion and a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the many successes we have seen at the University.

“As well as commemorating the excellent team and individual performances of our sporting stars, the awards also recognise the impact and importance of everyone within sport.

“We want to recognise those that give up their time to volunteer or work in sport, that create opportunities and develop programmes for participation, who coach and lead teams, who develop accessible sport clubs and create fun environments for our university community to take part in sport in many different ways.”

The full list of winners is:

Most Improved Players and Most Valuable Players

Badminton - Joshua Moshe (MIP), Thilaanraj Ganes (MVP)
Basketball - Jared Parish (MIP), Fionnan McGovern (MVP)
Cheerleading - Caolan Plumb (MIP), Rebecca May (MVP)
Climbing - Reece Roach (MIP), Annabel Williams (MVP)
Cricket - Joe Byrne (MIP), Joe Toulson (MVP)
Dance - Sophie Byrne (MIP), Shakira Howe (MVP)
Futsal - Prince Edet (MIP), Olamide Wasiu (MVP)
Men’s Football - Ben Sedgwick (MIP), Joshua Adeleye (MVP)
Women’s Football - Amy Smith (MIP), Shauna Gatley (MVP)
Netball - Shania Clarke (MIP), Gaelle Forde (MVP)
Volleyball - YahYah Keita (MIP), William Austwick (MVP)

Campus League Winners 2024
6v6 football league: Flares Fanatics
4v4 basketball league: The Conquorers

Participation Programme of the Year 2024 – Netball
Sports Leader of the Year 2024 - Olivia Metelko-Taylor
Student Staff Member of the Year 2024 - Matthew McCarthy
Team of the Year 2024 – Volleyball
Club of the Year 2024 – Climbing
Performance of the Year 2024 - Futsal 1st Team
Sports Coach of the Year 2024 – Xander Collins
Female Athlete of the Year 2024 – Jess Mett
Male Athlete of the Year 2024 – Harley Harbisher
Performance Scholar of the Year 2024 – Mary Corbyn

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