Swansea University’s Get ACTIVE programme wins national award for excellence in student sport.
We are delighted to share that, after a successful nomination and being shortlisted for this award, the Swansea University Get ACTIVE programme has been named the winner of the Excellence in Student Sport Experience Award at the 2025 CUBO Awards, held in Newcastle on 11th June.
The CUBO Awards showcase and celebrate best practice in commercial and campus services, with this specific award focussing on initiatives making a real different to the sporting experience for students at universities and demonstrating increased participation whilst promoting health and wellbeing.
This prestigious award recognises innovative initiatives that transform student sport by increasing participation, enhancing wellbeing, and driving inclusive engagement.
Since its launch in 2022, Get ACTIVE has made a lasting impact on campus life:
- Nearly 6,000 students engaged
- Over 1,700 free and heavily subsidised sessions delivered
- More than 26,000 attendances
Offering inclusive, non-competitive activity, the programme prioritises mental wellbeing, community-building, and accessibility. It has been particularly effective in reaching specific student groups including international, postgraduate, neurodivergent, and female students.
The programme’s Get OUTDOORS initiative celebrates Swansea’s unique setting—connecting students with the outdoors through activities like surfing, hiking, gorge walking and paddleboarding. This has helped tackle loneliness, promote mental health, and reduce barriers to sport.
Shana Thomas, the Get ACTIVE programme manager, said:
“This win comes on the back of three years of building a programme with and for our students. We have focused on using our amazing natural environment in Swansea and surrounding areas to give students positive experiences, taking them away from their studies and allowing them to be with others in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Get OUTDOORS helps to break down the barriers that our students face when they first enter university life by giving them a chance to feel less isolated, meet new people and hopefully make new friends. Without our student activators, Get ACTIVE and our outdoor programme would not happen.”
At the heart of the programme is a dedicated team of Swansea University Sports staff and passionate Student Activators who run weekly sessions and help shape the inclusive culture of student sport.
This award is a proud milestone for the university and a testament to the passion and hard work behind Get ACTIVE. The journey doesn’t end here—we’re excited for what’s next.
Learn more about the programme and sign up for a session: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/get-active/