Hall of Fame

The University of Manchester Sport Hall of Fame

UoM Sport / Hall of Fame

The UoM Sport Hall of Fame is our most prestigious award, recognising the achievements and contributions of athletes, coaches and supporting staff who have excelled in a long-standing career in sport.

Our Hall of Fame inductees have demonstrated outstanding success and achievement in their sport or relevant field during their time at the university and gone on to succeed and/or make a significant contribution in their chosen sport or field post-graduation on a national/international stage over a longer period of time.

Rowena Birch

Judo athlete winning European Gold in 1994 and representing Great Britain in the 1996 Olympic Games. Followed by a successful coaching career, leading England Women’s Judo team to 6 Gold medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Elected as president of British Judo in 2021.

Ron Hill

3-time Olympian, twice national cross-country champion, European Gold medallist and the first GB winner of the Boston Marathon, as well as laying claim to 4 world records during his time. Later founding Ronhill Sports, which has become one of the biggest athletics sportwear brands.

Grace Harvey

Silver medalist at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020 and Gold medalist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024, in the SB5 100m Breastroke. BUCS Sportswoman of the Year 2024.

Dr. Frank Newton OBE

World Championship Yacht Helmsman in the Finn Class. Served as a GP for 25 years and as a Medic in the Royal Yachting Association in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic teams, supported America’s Cup and Admiral’s Cup crews up to and including the London 2012 Olympics. His outstanding contributions to sport were recognised in the 2012 New Year’s Honours with an OBE for his services to sailing.

Graeme Thomas

Graeme joined the University of Manchester as a rugby player before taking up rowing in his first year through the GB Rowing Team’s Start Programme. He has since become one of Great Britain’s leading rowers, representing Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He is a four-time World and three-time European Championship medallist.

Sir Philip Craven MBE

Sir Philip represented GB in Wheelchair Basketball at five Paralympic Games, from 1972 to 1988.

Sir Philip has had an incredible career as a sports administrator. He has served as President of the International Paralympic Committee since 2001 and is also a member of the International Olympic Committee.