Scotland's fastest ever 50m swimmer amongst those honoured at the EUSU ball, reports Chris Waugh.

Record breaker Richard Schafers scooped the Vancouver Quaich prize for the most outstanding male performance of the year at the Sports Union ball last Thursday - after a glittering twelve months in which he became the fastest swimmer Scotland has ever produced over 50 metres.

The EUSU event turned out to be a brilliant night, with illustrious guest speaker Zac Purchase – a 2008 Olympic gold medallist at Rowing in the Lightweight Double Sculls, as well as a three time world champion – presenting the many awards to the successful sports men, women and teams of 2011.

The individual female award, the Eva Bailey Cup, was awarded to the BUCS, British and Commonwealth Wado Karate Champion in the 50kg weight category: Chloe Maclean. Both athletes have grown into celebrated ambassadors for the university and continue to go from strength to strength in their pursuit of excellence in their disciplines.

The Lillywhite Shield (in association with Kukri), which is presented to the most outstanding club of the year, was shared between the Swimming and Waterpolo Club and the Orienteering Club. Both clubs have seen extremely successful calendar years and they will hope that the recognition they have received with this award can propel them to even greater success in the coming twelve months.

The Captain S.T. Gamer Trophy, which is awarded to an athlete for the most outstanding first year contribution to university sport, was taken home by Heather Goodwin. Heather umpires at National Level B netball and she also volunteers a lot of her time to umpire for the Netball Club all over Scotland.

EUSU’s success in 2011 continued to be celebrated with a series of further awards: Michael Nicholson bagged the Neil Campbell Shield that is presented for outstanding sports organisation and services for his contribution to the Curling Club; the Hare and Hounds Club snatched the Pavilion Association Cup for the best club publicity of the year; the Livingstone Trophy for the most outstanding expeditionary achievement went to the Rugby Club; and the Colonel R.B. Campbell Memorial trophy was awarded to the Cycling Club as the most improved club of the year.

Finally, the evening was concluded with the Executive Committee Awards for 2011 which were presented to EUSU President Sam Trett, Publicity Officer Alexander Gilliland, Seb Rae, Will Lawton, Erik Mackie and Ross McCall.

EUSU and all of the university clubs will be hoping that 2012 can deliver just as much success as 2011 after an awards night that highlighted the talent and commitment within the union.