The University’s annual Future Stars Awards sponsored by Mckeever Sports is an opportunity for Queen’s to recognise the most talented year 11/12 student athletes across each of the University’s 5 priority sports.

The students and their parents attended a special gala event in Queen’s Whitla Hall for a celebration of school sport, and to get an insight into the University’s Academy programmes, a comprehensive support package that allows students to pursue sport and academia as dual careers at Queen’s.

The Queen’s Sports Development Team worked closely with Ulster Hockey, Ulster Rugby, Ulster GAA, NI Schools Football Association and Rowing Ireland to build programmes of activity that gave nearly 1,000 year 11 and 12 sports stars across Ulster the opportunity to catch the eye of Queen’s Sport coaches and staff. This resulted in 148 Queen’s Future Stars awards being presented.

Professor Judy Williams, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at Queen’s, said: “Queen’s has a proud history of promoting and playing sport and the Future Stars Awards is the culmination of our acknowledgement and recognition for some of the most exceptional young local athletes across our priority sports.

“School sport with a particular focus on second level is a wonderful environment that empowers students to express their passion, talent and personality beyond the classroom. Queen’s wants to recognise those young people whose exceptional skills and abilities stretch into sport alongside their studies and career goals.”