A summer of sporting success for the Newcastle University community
From international debuts and national honours to world-class competition and professional contracts, summer 2026 has been another remarkable chapter for Newcastle University sport.
30 September 2026
Across the globe, our students and alumni have continued to demonstrate the talent, ambition and resilience that define Team Newcastle.
Their achievements build on an exceptional year for university sport. In 2025/26, Team Newcastle secured a fifth consecutive Varsity victory over Northumbria and finished eighth in the BUCS standings – recording a university-best 3,643.5 points!
As campus competition paused for the summer, Newcastle students and graduates stepped onto national and international stages. Here are some of the highlights.
Rugby stars take the next step
Newcastle University rugby continued to produce talent at the highest levels. Current student Lucas “Ox” Oxley earned his England Students debut against France, playing alongside Class of 2025 graduate Ethan Hulme, and joined Newcastle Red Bulls for pre-season training. Fellow student Evie Haskell was also selected for the England Students squad in the women's game, named on the team to face the UK Armed Forces in July.
Several members of Newcastle University Rugby Football Club's league-winning side also secured opportunities in the senior game this summer. Students Josh Oppong, Harrison Wood and Junior Newton have signed for Darlington Mowden Park RFC while continuing their studies and representing Team Newcastle.
Among our newest graduates, Ben Wright (pictured) has joined Championship club Richmond RFC after three successful seasons with NURFC. Meanwhile, alumnus Obi Ene is set to return to Tyneside, signing for Newcastle Red Bulls after his spell with Sale Sharks.
Rowing excellence on the world stage
Newcastle University's reputation as one of the UK's leading university rowing programmes was once again underlined this summer.
Five rowing alumni represented Great Britain at World Rowing Cup I, helping secure two gold medals and a silver. Success continued at World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, where Newcastle graduates claimed a further five medals, including golds for James Robson, Dan Graham and Lola Anderson.
Henley Royal Regatta also delivered a memorable performance, with Newcastle's Men's coxed four progressing to the final after victories over Durham, Oxford Brookes and Oxford University… before narrowly missing out on the title.
The summer concluded with four current student-athletes representing Great Britain at the FISU World University Championships in Canada. Ed Riley, Imy Woodcock, Gwilym Johnson and James Liddelle (pictured below) all returned home with silver medals, continuing Newcastle's proud rowing tradition.
Image credit: @jrn_rowing
Individual brilliance on track and field
Recent MPharm graduate Joy Eze enjoyed a summer to remember after being named BUCS Sportswoman of the Year. During her time at Newcastle, Joy has represented Team GB at both European and World Championship level, cementing her place among the university's most accomplished recent athletes.
In shooting, Politics and International Relations student Bethany Norton (pictured below) collected four international medals, including two golds at the Junior World Shooting Championships - and even set a new world record! Fellow students Francine Gilmore and Toby Aberdeen have also been selected to represent GB Students at the FISU World University Shooting Championships later this year.
Professional pathways in football and basketball
For MA Media and Public Relations graduate Ellen Jones, summer brought a new challenge as she signed for Wolves Women following three years with Sunderland AFC Women. The former England U17 international continues an impressive professional career that began with Bristol City in 2020.
Basketball also celebrated significant success. Following a season in which Newcastle Knights men were crowned BUCS National Champions and British Championship Basketball Playoff winners, graduate Noah Saa (pictured below) and current student Scott Angus helped Team North claim a convincing victory in the English Universities Sport North v South showcase. Plus, Noah's performances earned him MVP (Most Valuable Player) honours.
Former Knights player Sam Trunley has also secured a professional move, signing for Cheshire Phoenix ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The University's Jiu Jitsu Club was named National Club of the Year by The Jiu Jitsu Foundation, while alumni and instructors Claire Carter, Adam Walton and Brian Naisbitt all achieved significant grading milestones.
Dodgeball graduates Zsofia Simon and Fakhri Faisil represented Hungary and Northern Ireland respectively at major international championships, producing impressive performances on the European stage.
Volleyball athletes also enjoyed a global summer. Seven Newcastle Knights players (pictured) represented England and Northern Ireland at the BVF Invitational Cup, while Sport and Exercise Science student Ollie Tuck competed for England at the Nordic Cup in Denmark. International Multimedia Journalism student Angus Henricks rounded off the season in style by helping Australia win gold at the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championships.
A community to be proud of
From world records and international medals to professional contracts and national awards, the achievements of Newcastle University's students and alumni this summer are a testament to the strength of our sporting community.
Whether competing for Great Britain, representing their home nations, or taking the next step in professional sport, our athletes continue to embody the determination, teamwork and excellence that define Team Newcastle.
To all our sporting students and graduates, congratulations on an outstanding summer. We look forward to following your successes in the seasons ahead!
Do you have sport news to share?
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