Medal of achievement
We are delighted to inform our members that Prof Stuart Biddle HonFCASES has been awarded the first CASES Medal of Achievement, a truly deserved accolade, for which our congratulations are extended.
Following a successful nomination process for the new CASES Medal of Achievement, there were eight nominations received, covering seven Fellows. Many of the nominees have been Fellows for over 20 years.
The CASES Medal is granted to an individual who has made sustained, significant and important contributions to the sport or exercise sciences in the UK and internationally. These contributions may include, but are not limited to, research and scholarship, applied and professional practice, education, and/or administrative services in the sport and exercise sciences.
A sub-group of the CASES Board was formed to consider all nominations, independently scoring and assessing all applications. The Board then reviewed and ratified the recommendations at its recent meeting in November and awarded the accolade to Stuart.
Within Stuart’s nomination, the nominators cited Stuart as the distinguished academic and researcher in physical activity and sedentary behaviour. They noted that underpinned by his highly cited research, including in sport and exercise psychology, Stuart has made considerable global impact through international leadership, and by playing a key role in shaping national and international guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for the UK, Australia, Canada, and the World Health Organization. They acknowledged that Stuart was pivotal in the development of BASS to BASES in 1993, which acknowledged exercise as an important component field.
Commenting on this award, Prof Stuart Biddle HonFCASES said,
“Thank you so much. This is incredible and I am hugely honoured. I consider this a true career highlight for me. This prompted me to dig out some historical information. I attended a (pre) BASES meeting in 1980 in Sheffield, the 'British Society of Sport Psychology' which was one of three societies later joining to form BASS. I then presented my first paper in 1983 in Liverpool.”
The CASES Medal of Achievement will be awarded in a special ceremony within the new 2026 Conference, taking place at Manchester Metropolitan University on 3-4 June 2026, for which Stuart will do all that he can to be there in person, travelling over from Australia. The plan is for Stuart to give a short address on Day 1 of the Conference, on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at 12:30 pm. Stuart will then receive a CASES Medal alongside a framed certificate.
Other esteemed members to be nominated were Prof Nanette Mutrie HonFCASES, Prof Kevin Thompson HonFCASES, Prof Vasilios (Bill) Baltzopoulos HonFCASES, Dr Andy Smith MBE FCASES, Prof Andy Jones HonFCASES, and Prof Clyde Williams HonFCASES.
Commenting on the inaugural CASES Medal of Achievement, Prof Zoe Knowles FCASES, Chair, said,
“The Board was impressed and humbled by the quality and quantity of nominations received. Can I extend my thanks to those members who took the time to prepare such rich and quality nominations that expertly show the impact that the nominees have had over the years and how each are valued within the sport and exercise community. I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of those who were nominated and to Prof Stuart Biddle HonFCASES on being awarded the Medal of Achievement. If it is possible for Stuart to arrange his travel, it will be amazing to welcome Stuart in person to the 2026 Conference next June, and to hear him provide a short address to the delegates.”