Ireland international swimmer and Queen's University Biological Sciences student, Rosalie Phelan, has claimed the top prize at the 2026 Queen's University, Deep RiverRock Blues awards ahead of her appearance at the European Championships this summer.

Rosalie was named this year's Individual Sports Personality of the Year in recognition of her swimming achievements, which include representing Ireland at the European Short Course Championships this year and setting a series of new personal bests.

"I am very honoured to accept the award,'' Rosalie said during the ceremony, which took place on Thursday, June 4th at the university's Whitla Hall. "It has been a momentous year for me, achieving personal bests in the freestyle and butterfly categories and representing Ireland at the European Short Course Championships.

"The team at Queen's Sport have been brilliant in supporting me to compete at the highest level in my sport and I'm delighted to be recognised in this way.

"Being part of the programme has certainly made my journey easier, allowing me to develop both sport and my academic studies."

Rosalie is currently a member of the Elite Athlete Programme at Queen's, a flagship scholarship scheme tailored for international-level competitors. Accredited by Sport Ireland, the initiative provides bespoke resources, including financial backing, to help athletes achieve sporting excellence while pursuing their academic targets in a high-performance university setting.

Karl Oakes, Head of Queen's Sport and Physical Wellbeing, stated that the institution was "immensely proud" of Rosalie and all the other award recipients.

"Queen's has a rich sporting heritage which is a key part of our identity," he said. "The Blues Awards are now in their seventh decade, providing us with a platform to recognise and celebrate our most talented students, many of whom compete at the highest levels locally, nationally and internationally.

"These awards are a tribute to outstanding individuals, teams and coaches and those who have made a significant contribution to sports across the years."

A total of 64 Blues Awards were handed out during the event, which remains a cornerstone of the university's sporting calendar. The accolades celebrated the efforts of athletes, coaches, and volunteers across multiple disciplines, including boxing, cycling, and sailing.

The event also saw former Ireland Rugby International and Queen's Law graduate, David Humphreys, inducted into the Sporting Hall of Fame.

"I'm delighted to accept this award. I'm very proud of my association with Queen's University, having studied law at the university as an undergraduate.

"I've been very lucky to have a rewarding career in rugby and as part of that I know how important Queen's sport is with helping to develop the next generation of young athletes in a whole range of sports.

"The Blues awards are a brilliant way of recognising the commitment and dedication of the athletes and indeed of the staff who help enable and support the training.''

Fellow former student Cathy Gallagher was also honoured with a Sporting Hall of Fame award. She was recognised for her instrumental role in founding Queen's Ladies Gaelic Football during her time studying at the institution.

"The ongoing commitment of Queen's University to both sports and to developing the potential of young people is a key part of the university's ethos," she said.

"Sport has been central to my student experience, as it has for many of my fellow students, particularly my involvement in establishing Queen's Ladies Gaelic Football, and I'm lucky to have made so many good friends through this.

"The opportunities for women in sport today continue to increase and Queen's sport has certainly played its role in that.''