Press release
Dundee’s top student athletes celebrated at annual awards
The University of Dundee celebrated the finest in student sport at its annual Blues and Colours Award Ceremony.
Published on 28 March 2025
The awards recognise achievements by students for their competitive success or club commitments as volunteers. These prestigious awards are given to athletes who demonstrate outstanding performance in their sport, with each club setting its criteria for achieving a Full Blue, Half Blue, or Colour.
With over 90 awards presented, the evening honoured a diverse range of individuals, from top-performing athletes to dedicated volunteers and coaches whose contributions are vital to the success and enjoyment of sports clubs. The final awards will be presented on Friday at the Sports Union Ball.
Mia Jennings, President of the University’s Sports Union, said, “The Blues and Colours ceremony is one of the highlights of the year for the University sporting community.
“Personally, this feels like a full-circle moment as I was elected President around this time last year. I now truly appreciate the hard work and dedication our students put into their respective sports, and there’s no better occasion to celebrate their achievements than at the Blues and Colours awards.
“We honour those who have excelled in their chosen sports, while also taking the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of every single student athlete, including our dedicated volunteers and coaches, whose contributions are vital to the success and enjoyment of our sports clubs."
The night's most coveted individual awards are Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, which recognise the top performing athletes who have shown exceptional dedication to their sport.
Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 is Alex Mackay from the University’s Weightlifting Club. Alex started her sport just four years ago as a complete beginner. She now holds all three British Under-23 and Scottish Senior records in the women’s 45kg category for the Snatch, Clean and Jerk, and Total.
In 2024, she represented Team GB at the European Junior and Under-23 Championships, where she broke her own records, improving in all three categories. Additionally, she is part of the Scotland Commonwealth Games training squad and is someone to watch for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Watch Alex showcase her exceptional skills
Sportsman of the Year for 2025 is Adam Hall from the University’s Ski and Snowboard Club. Adam excelled in multiple arenas, competing for the University in British Universities & College Sport (BUCS), representing the Scottish National Team, and racing internationally for Great Britain.
In January, he was selected to captain the British University Ski Club team at the Anglo-Swiss Championships, leading his team to first place. He also claimed first place individually at the event, showcasing his elite skills and leadership. Most notably, he has been selected to represent Team GB at the 2026 Milan Paralympic Winter Games as a Ski Guide for the Para Alpine team, marking an incredible achievement in his sporting career.
The celebrations will conclude with the Blues and Colours Sports Ball at the Apex Hotel tonight (Friday 28 March), where the final three awards – Most Progressive Club of the Year, Team of the Year, and Club of the Year – will be announced.
Full Blues
A Full Blue is awarded to athletes of outstanding ability judged by standards applicable to students’ different sports. A Full Blue athlete should have been selected as a first choice for a Scottish Universities representative team for two seasons. A Full Blue’s skill performance should be of an international standard and in some sports, it is necessary for athletes to play for British or National sides. A Full Blue should also have played in at least 75% of the fixtures for the University of Dundee 1st team for two years. No account will be made of administrative ability in the awarding of Full Blues.
Half Blues
Half Blues are awarded to athletes for playing well above the average standard for a University of Dundee 1st team. A Half Blue should be a squad member for a Scottish Universities representative team. A Half Blue winner should also have played in at least 75% of the fixtures for the University of Dundee 1st team for two years. No account will be made of administrative ability in the awarding of Half Blues.
Colours
To be awarded a Colour, athletes need to serve and play for their club for at least two years and to be regular 1st team members where appropriate. They should also have played 85% of university matches and their ability should be such as to ensure their place in the team in the face of competition. No account will be made of administrative ability in the awarding of Colours.
Press Office, University of Dundee
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