Undeb Aber is thrilled to announce that one of our amazing Team Aber members, Harry Ware, has been chosen as the Regional (Wales) winner for the 'Chris Potter Student Volunteer of the Year' award by British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).
“This award celebrates a student volunteer who has contributed to the University and/or community. Nominees must be a student who has gone above and beyond in their contribution to the student community between 1 May 2023 and 30 April 2024.” Regional winners were put forward to BUCS and then further shortlisted for the National Awards.
A quote from Lucie Gwilt, Undeb Aber’s Head of Student Opportunities:
“I am absolutely delighted to see Harry being recognised at the BUCS Awards this year. His contribution to sport in the student and local community; particularly his dedication to growing women’s football in the area (and beyond) has been tremendous, and I couldn’t think of anyone else more deserving.”
A quote from Tiffany McWilliams, Undeb Aber’s Student Opportunities Officer:
"It seems every time I hear about Harry, he is doing something else incredible. His commitment and generosity to Aberystwyth have made him an extremely valued member of our community. As soon as I heard about the award earlier this year, I knew we had to nominate him. I hope he is very proud to be the regional winner and I wish him luck, and a good time at the BUCS awards."
Have a read of some snippets from Harry’s nomination here:
“Harry is due to finish his final year at Aberystwyth University, and what an impact he has made in these three years. This past year especially, Harry has gotten involved in multiple sports media volunteer opportunities both within the student body and externally in the local community. As Secretary for our Student DIGS (intra mural football) League, Harry has worked with the rest of the committee to ensure the smooth running of the League; between organising facilities, referees, rearrangement of dates, etc. as well as working with local organisations to obtain vital sponsorship to keep costs down for student participants.
Harry is also well known across Team Aber for his support of both the Men’s and Women’s Football teams; often offering his time freely when in need of volunteers, whilst also helping to increase exposure for the teams by providing live commentary of their BUCS and non-BUCS fixtures through his alternative volunteer role with Cymru Sport.
In his role with Cymru Sport, he travels across the County (and even Country at times!) to cover live commentary of both Men’s and Women’s football fixtures. He has encouraged multiple student volunteers to get involved and mentored the beginners throughout the year to help them build confidence.
An exciting opportunity for Harry came up in July, whereby he attended the Island Games with Cymru Sport and coped well with a full on schedule across 5 days; covering both men’s and women’s media and live commentary independently. He spent hundreds of hours researching the teams ahead of the event and during to ensure that he was well enough informed to commentate, and even delivered a podcast for each of the 14 teams where he interviewed representatives before the games.
Harry also led on the media for our annual Aberystwyth v Bangor Varsity; providing commentary across multiple sports, but notably the Men’s and Women’s football fixtures held at Aberystwyth Town FC’s ground, Park Avenue.
In his ‘spare’ time, he also set up and led a University ‘Cymru Premier Review’ podcast which he delivered weekly with other students involved in the broadcast.
Harry is extremely passionate about the women’s game, and more importantly pushing for equal rights and opportunity for female players. He has worked tirelessly in his time in Aberystwyth to help the University and Town football teams to challenge and break down barriers, and has been an excellent ally in representing the Women’s game across social media platforms and in his commentary, match reports and interviews.
Harry’s vast volunteer experience and passion for football has even gotten him an exciting Head Research role with ‘Football Manager’; focusing on Women’s Football in Wales!
The Aberystwyth community as a whole will be sure to miss Harry, but will always be grateful to him for his hard work and dedication to developing sport in the area; for students and locals alike. We could not think of anyone else more deserving for the Chris Potter Award.”
Massive congratulations to Harry, from Undeb Aber!