Becky Grimwade celebrates winning Student Volunteer of the Year at the 2016 BUCS awards

Becky Grimwade is celebrating twice this week. The Sussex student is graduating today (Thursday 21 July) with a degree in Chemistry, just days after being named Student Volunteer of the Year at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) national awards.

The award was given to Becky in recognition of the significant impact she has had on female participation in sport at Sussex.

In addition to running twice-weekly women’s football sessions for students as part of the Active US programme of drop-in social sport, Becky has worked alongside Sussexsport, Sussex FA and BUCS, to bring national campaigns like the FA’s Girls’ Football Week and This BUCS Girl Can week to Sussex.

Her Zorb-Ball and Zumball sessions for Girls’ Football Week were incredibly popular. And as part of the BUCS Take A Stand campaign, which promotes inclusivity and accessibility in university sport, Becky and fellow Football Activator Alex Cipa organised the first mixed-gender football match at the University.

Participation in Active US women’s football has almost doubled over the last year, with a total of 645 visits to Becky’s sessions since September 2015 - up from 330 visits in 2014/15.

During her time at Sussex, Becky has also been an active member of the Students’ Union women’s football club, who won Committee of the Year at Sussex’s own student awards in April, in recognition of their Football Vs. Homophobia charity tournament, which raised over £560 for Stonewall.

After receiving the BUCS award at a ceremony in Warwick last week, Becky said: “I am extremely happy to have received this award and have enjoyed every part of my role at Sussex.

“Such successful sessions and events would not be possible without the continued support I have had all year and I am very grateful for this. I hope participation continues to increase and next year is equally as amazing, if not more!”

Sports Development Officer at Sussexsport, Luke Terrill, congratulated Becky on her award and her achievements at Sussex, adding: “Participation in women’s football has grown hugely over the last few years at Sussex University.

"Becky’s work with Active US, Sussex FA and the Students’ Union has been at the forefront of this and we are very proud of her award.”