UHI celebrates sporting success with 2026 Sporting Blues awards

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), in partnership with the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA), is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Sporting Blues awards.

This year’s award recipients reflect the diversity and resilience of UHI’s student athletes, who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and commitment across a wide range of sports, often balancing demanding training schedules with academic and personal commitments. The awards also recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the development of sport across the UHI partnership.

UHI Sportsperson of the Year

Kirsten Taylor from Carnoustie, who studies BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at UHI Perth, has been named UHI Sportsperson of the Year in recognition of her outstanding achievements in judo.

She secured gold at the 2026 Visually Impaired German Open and has represented Scotland on a number of occasions. Kirsten was previously awarded a Sporting Blue in 2024 and has won numerous international medals at competitions in Kazakhstan, Egypt and the Netherlands.

Kirsten has also recently secured a silver medal at the 2026 IBSA Judo European Championships in Germany, which is a major qualifier event for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.

Team of the Year

The UHI Women’s Shinty Team has been named Team of the Year following an impressive three-year journey at the Littlejohn and McHue and Porter Tournament.

The team brings together shinty players from across multiple UHI campuses to represent the university in one of the most prestigious events in the student shinty calendar.

With sponsorship support from Kishorn Port Ltd, the team has competed in the tournament for the past three years, finishing third in 2024, second in 2025 and then lifting the trophy in 2026.

Rachel Cruickshank from Inverarnie, who graduates this year with a BA (Hons) Business and Management from UHI Inverness and is captain of the UHI Women’s Shinty Team, said:

“Team of the Year in the Sporting Blues is an achievement that none of us had even considered, so to be nominated and have won is beyond amazing. I’m honoured to have been a part of this amazing team representing UHI. I couldn’t have asked for better players to have been captain for on the day and truly, if I could play with them again, I would in a heartbeat.”

Honorary Blue

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to university sport, an Honorary Blue has been awarded to Amanda Fleet from Perth, who served as Sports Development Coordinator with HISA from 2022 to 2025.

During her time with the students’ association, Amanda led the development of inclusive sport across UHI campuses and established the university’s first shinty programme. She helped secure sponsorship and supported the team’s journey to victory in the Littlejohn and McHue and Porter Tournament.

Amanda continues to provide advice to HISA on sport and now works full time with Special Olympics GB, championing equality, inclusion and community sport through a range of national leadership and board roles.

Amanda said:

“I am incredibly honoured to receive an Honorary Sporting Blue. Sport has shaped both my personal and professional life, and I have been fortunate to work with so many inspiring people who are passionate about creating opportunities for everybody to have a chance to participate in sport. To be recognised by the institution that has played such an important role in my journey is truly special.”

Full Blues

Two Full Blue awards, presented to athletes of outstanding ability judged against their sport’s national standard, were awarded to Owen Wilson and Sophie Townsley.

➕ Owen Wilson from Elgin is an HNC Sports Coaching student at UHI Moray and has been recognised for his achievements in powerlifting. He recently became the national under-18 champion in the under-83kg category, breaking the Scottish bench press record in his bracket. He has also been selected to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in September 2026.

Owen said:

“Hard work always pays off.”

➕ Sophie Townsley from Perth has also received a Full Blue for her achievements in football. She graduates this year from UHI Perth with an HND in Sports Coaching and Development.

Sophie has been regularly selected for the Scotland under-19 squad, with her contributions helping the team secure qualification to round two of its 2026 European Championships qualifying campaign.

She said:

“I feel very proud and happy to receive this award.”

Half Blues

Four Half Blue awards, which recognise student athletes who have excelled well above university-level standards or have represented UHI at national competitions, were awarded to Madelaine Archibald, Josh Beveridge, Lyle Gillie and Ollie Smith.

➕ Equine Business Management student Madelaine Archibald from Dumfries, who studies at the UHI North, West and Hebrides’ Thurso campus, has been recognised for her achievements in equestrian sport. She competed in showjumping at the 2025 Horse of the Year Show, finishing third in the NAF Five Star Silver League Final.

➕ BA (Hons) Professional Golf student Josh Beveridge from Bathgate studies at the UHI North, West and Hebrides Centre for Golf in Dornoch. He has been recognised following an outstanding season with the UHI golf team. 

Serving as team co-captain, Josh led the UHI team to a second-place finish at the 2026 Scottish Student Sport (SSS) Golf Team Matchplay Championships, held at the Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth. He followed up the team success with an individual third place at the 2026 SSS Golf Strokeplay Championships on the same course.

Josh said:

“It’s an absolute honour to receive a Half Blue Award. I had a great week playing in Moray and it’s one of the highlights of the year. It’s also a privilege to be co-captain of the UHI team.”

➕ Lyle Gillie from Galashiels also studies BA (Hons) Professional Golf at the UHI North, West and Hebrides Centre for Golf in Dornoch. He has received a Half Blue for his contribution to the UHI golf team over the past two years. He has won a number of matches competing in Scottish University Championships and British Universities and Colleges Sport league matches, alongside several top 10 finishes in British Universities and Colleges Sport golf events.

Lyle achieved fourth place individually at the 2026 SSS University Golf Strokeplay Championships and was part of the team that finished second in the SSS Universities Golf Team Matchplay Championships.

Lyle said:

“It is a great privilege to receive this award. It has been an honour to represent UHI all over the UK for the past 2 years and I look forward to doing so for another 2 years!” 

➕ Ollie Smith from Inverness, who studies BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness at UHI Inverness, has been awarded a Half Blue for his achievements in rugby.

Ollie plays for Highland Rugby 1XV and was part of the team that won the 2025-26 National League Cup at Murrayfield. He was also selected for the training squad for the Caledonia regional team.

Ollie said:

“Receiving this award has been an unexpected delight and been a validating experience. Rugby has always been there to help me find my place in the world and to build confidence as a neurodivergent person. The faith, trust and belief placed in me since primary school by my coaches, lecturers and teammates have inspired me to keep going through many challenging setbacks over the years. I hope to use all that I have learnt and continue to learn, in turn to inspire future generations in the positive effects of sport on mental health.”

Colours

A Colour has been awarded to BA (Hons) Professional Golf student Alex McGillivray from Nairn, who studies at the UHI North, West and Hebrides Centre for Golf in Dornoch, for his contribution to the UHI golf team. To receive a Colour, athletes need to serve and play for their club and be a regular 1st team member, representing the team in at least 65% of the eligible matches, recording at least one victory.

Alex has shared team captain responsibilities and has been a consistent member of the team for two years. He has achieved a number of top 10 finishes in British Universities and Colleges Sport and Scottish Student Sport (SSS) events, including eighth place individually at the 2026 SSS University Golf Strokeplay Championships.

He was also part of the undefeated 2026 British Universities and Colleges Sport Premier League North team and the team that finished second at the 2026 Scottish Student Sport Universities Golf Team Matchplay Championships.

Alex said:

“It’s a great privilege to receive this award and to be recognised by the Sporting Blues judges panel for success within sport at UHI.”

The 2026 Sporting Blues awards highlight the breadth of sporting talent across UHI, with students competing successfully at local, national and international level while balancing their studies.

Many of the recipients will receive their awards at their relevant UHI graduation ceremony to be held later this year.