For over a century, Blues Awards have celebrated sporting excellence at The University of Queensland.
Since 1912, Blue and Half Blue Awards have been presented to champion UQ sportsmen and women, in recognition of their outstanding sporting achievements, and for enhancing the reputation of university sport.
To be awarded a University Blue is held in high esteem and is one of the highest accolades a student-athlete can receive. To date, the University has awarded over 2,400 Blue and Half Blues.
UQ Sport
The University of Queensland,
Building 33, Union Rd,
St Lucia, Qld 4067
2021 UQ Blues Awards Dinner
Australian Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic representatives were among a group of 34 University of Queensland student-athletes recognised for their sporting achievements at the annual UQ Blues Awards Dinner.
13 Blues – regarded as UQ’s highest sporting honour – were awarded to students for exceptional results at national or international-level competitions across the 2020 and 2021 award periods. A further 22 Half Blues were awarded for outstanding achievements at state, underage or UniSport-sanctioned events.
Blues recipients were presented with a commemorative Blues Blazer at the event, held at Customs House on Friday 5 October 2021.
ABC Grandstand broadcaster Quentin Hull hosted the Awards, while iconic Australian swimming coach Laurie Lawrence was the evening’s guest speaker. Read more about this year’s recipients HERE
Award Criteria
The University of Queensland and UQ Sport, through an independent Blues Advisory Committee, have developed selection criteria to ensure Blue and Half-Blue recipients are of the highest standard.
To receive a Blue, student-athletes will have produced exceptional results at national or international-level sporting competitions. The Blues Advisory Committee also takes into consideration the standard and quality of these competitions when judging Blue nominations.
A Half Blue recognises outstanding sporting performances at state-level and/or university competitions.
Nominations
Please note, this year’s nominations are now closed.
Sporting Alumnus
UQ Sport is committed to maintaining contact with our sporting alumni. Blue and Half Blue recipients are encouraged to provide their latest contact details by completing our electronic form.
You can also contribute to the Blues Awards by providing information, sporting artefacts and photographs – please email us to get in touch!
UQ Blues Blazers
UQ Blues Blazers are now available for past Full Blue recipients to purchase. Please email blues@uqsport.com.au for more details on fittings and payment.
Blues History
The tradition of Blues Awards has been widely adopted by universities all over the world.
The Blues name is derived from the iconic inter-varsity rivalry between Britain’s Oxford and Cambridge Universities. At a boat race in 1829, a Cambridge oarsmen famously tied a light blue ribbon (the colours of his school, Eton College) to the bows of the University’s boat – the Blues legacy was born!
For a complete list of UQ Blue & Half Blue award recipients please click on the relevant decade below:
