The Clubs Awards are a vibrant celebration of the passion, dedication and achievements of our student groups throughout the year.

Club Excellence

• Academic Club of the Year
• Sports & Recreation Club of the Year
• Faith, Religion & Spirituality Club of the Year
• Special Interest Club of the Year 
• Cause Club of the Year
• Cultural Club of the Year

Leadership

• Team of the Year     
• President of the Year
• Secretary of the Year
• Treasurer of the Year
• New Club of the Year

Community

• AUSA Initiative of the Year
• Connecting Clubs Award
• University Citizenship Award
• Alumni Engagement of the Year

Nominations can be made by someone else (e.g. staff, peers, community members) or you may self-nominate.

Nominees must have been enrolled at the University of Auckland at the time the achievements took place. Students who have since graduated are still eligible, as long as the activities occurred while they were enrolled. 

Following the application period, submissions are reviewed by Clubs Support & Engagement Committee Advisors and Honorary Advisors, who provide feedback and recommendations to support the assessment process.

A judging panel consisting of members of the Clubs Support & Engagement Committee and one University staff member external to the clubs programming who will review eligible applications and determine award winners and honourable mentions for each category. Judges will assess applications against the published award criteria.

Honourable mentions for each award category, as well as for each faculty, will be determined from the submitted nominations.  

Club Excellence Awards 

Club Excellence Awards recognise clubs that have demonstrated outstanding
achievement within the category in which they are registered, creating
meaningful impact for their members and contributing positively to the wider University community. They are assessed against the following criteria:

• How has the nominee demonstrated outstanding achievement within
  their category? This includes how they have created meaningful impact for the club’s members.
• How has the nominee positively influenced communities around them? This can include how they created opportunities for participation, fostered belonging, supported wellbeing, or strengthened connections within their community.
• What lasting value has the nominee created? This includes improvements, initiatives, resources, relationships, or knowledge that will continue to benefit the club or community in the future. 

Leadership Awards 

These awards recognise individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service and commitment within the University of Auckland Clubs Community through their contribution to the success of their clubs and the people around them. They are assessed against the following criteria:

• How has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and commitment within the University of Auckland Clubs Community through their contribution to the success of their clubs and the people around them?
• How has the nominee inspired, empowered, and enabled others through initiative, vision, responsibility, and positive influence?

Award-specific criteria

In addition to the criteria above, each award is assessed against the following
award-specific criterion: 

• Team of the Year: How has this executive team embodied teamwork, support, and collective success?
• President of the Year: No additional criteria.
• Secretary of the Year: How has this person excelled in organisation, administration and governance?
• Treasurer of the Year: How has this person excelled in financial management and stewardship?
• New Club of the Year: How have they demonstrated strong growth, engagement and impact?

Community Awards 

These awards recognise clubs, initiatives and individuals that have strengthened the University community through partnership, collaboration and meaningful contributions beyond their own club. They are assessed against the following criteria:

• How does this club, initiative, or individual strengthen the University of Auckland community through partnership, collaboration and meaningful contributions beyond their own club?
• How has the nomination strengthened the clubs ecosystem through collaboration, partnership, support of others and contribution to shared success? 

Award-specific criteria

In addition to the criteria above, each award is assessed against the following award-specific criterion: 

• AUSA Initiative of the Year: How has the club/initiative successfully partnered with AUSA to enhance the student experience?
• Connecting Clubs Award: How has the club/initiative fostered collaboration and strengthened relationships across the clubs community?
• University Citizenship Award: How has the club/initiative/individual made an outstanding contribution to the wider University community through partnership, service or engagement?
• Alumni Engagement of the Year: How has the club/initiative built meaningful connections between current students and alumni?