Hope Powell (left) with UELs Selena Bolingbroke

»UEL’s annual Sports Awards proved a fitting occasion for England women’s national football team coach, Hope Powell CBE, to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement award and Honorary Doctorate of Arts.

In UEL’s most successful sporting year to date, the awards, staged at West Ham United Football Club – showcased and celebrated the sporting achievements of UEL’s students and staff over the past year, through a range of individual and team award categories.

Powell, the former England international and head coach of the Team GB women’s Olympic football team, received the biggest cheer of the night as she took to the stage to receive the Lifetime Achievement award.

“This is a great honour, I cannot thank the people who decided to give me this honour enough,” she said. “It is fantastic for me personally and women’s football in general. I am really hoping the London 2012 Games will help kick-start something for women’s football and other sports.”

In the Service to Sport category, Natalie Campbell was recognised for her tireless work behind the scenes as club captain of UEL’s boat club, which scooped six medals in this year’s British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Regatta – its best ever tally.

In the same category, Dwain Bowman, president and coach of the UEL volleyball club, was lauded for his dedication and enthusiasm. Inevitably, it was untroubled waters for UEL’s boat club in the Club of the Year category.

Craig Heskey, the newly appointed football club captain, triumphed in the Sports Personality of the Year, while there was special recognition for Newham Council as Most Valued Partner for its work in tackling health inequalities and support for UEL’s new £21million sports facility, SportsDock.

Szandra Szogedi’s career-defining performance and bronze medal in the 2012 African Judo Championships ensured she came away with the Achievement of the Year award.