The Emerging Club of the Year Award, presented by Bimko, is given to the Club that has shown innovation and creativity in its efforts to grow its membership, and the opportunities provided to club members.
Bournemouth’s Cottrell, 22, travelled with other members of his club to Manchester to accept the award, and was overcome with joy in the celebration of his club.
Cottrell said: “Winning Emerging Club of the Year feels amazing, I think it just shows that the hard work we put in does get recognised.
“The countless hours volunteering and planning and all the things that go on behind the scenes from everyone, the whole committee, the whole club, all our coaches, University of Nottingham Sport, it’s all paid off. I think that this award shows that.”
Although UONCC is the oldest sports club or society at the university, it has been recognised for its growth into a performance outfit from previously serving mainly social riders.
While their social arm is still going strong, some members have gone on to compete at the highest levels.
Cottrell said: “We’ve gone from being a development club of just social riders to now we’ve got a big performance team.
“Within that, we’ve got a sponsored race team, we hold multiple races throughout the year in different disciplines, and we’ve just tried to expand what we do as much as we can.
“The growth of the race team has given a platform to all eight of us to go and race at national levels in national races as a team, supported by our coaches and by UON Sport.
“So we can now go and compete at the highest level against people that have got better opportunities, maybe have better help but we’ve been able to compete against them and be equivalent to that.”
The 2025 British Cycling Awards recognised a hosts of community clubs, coaches, and volunteers for their achievements on the night, and the 22-year-old noted that being part of the evening has only motivated him do more.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. ”It’s nice to see all the other clubs, all the individuals getting the awards, and I think it just shows that there’s so much you can do to help.
“There are a lot of people out there doing good things, and I think it encourages you to keep doing what you’re doing, if not more.”
Could you develop your skills, meet new people and bring huge impact to your local community through volunteering? Get involved with British Cycling volunteering opportunities at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/volunteering
