Why is the Heinke Trophy seen as BSAC’ s premier award? Alison Dando profiles past winners and highlights recent changes to the process
SCUBAHUB
The club has enrolled for the new Heinke mentoring scheme
LUEC won the award in 2005
Heinke 2026
A gold standard for club diving
Why is the Heinke Trophy seen as BSAC’ s premier award? Alison Dando profiles past winners and highlights recent changes to the process
THE HEINKE TROPHY HAS BEEN around since 1958, each year reminding us just how special BSAC club diving can be.
Billed as‘ BSAC’ s premier award that recognises club excellence’, the trophy has evolved over the years, embracing the changing landscape of diving and snorkelling, technology and the digital world. All the while, the opportunity to shine a light on members’ passion for club diving and using these experiences to inspire others has consistently remained at the Heinke heart. Clubs that have entered the Heinke Trophy acknowledge that it’ s not a‘ quick win’, and that time, organisation, planning and creativity are all key to compiling a Heinke Trophy report. But the rewards, they say, are more than worth it – not only for the prize money and the kudos, but for the recognition and the process itself.
With BSAC currently inviting clubs to register for the Heinke Trophy 2026, SCUBA chats to three previous winners to find out exactly what taking home the trophy has meant to them.
Leicester Underwater Exploration Club( LUEC)
LUEC scooped the Heinke Trophy in 2005. Twenty years later, and the club is back, having just registered for the 2026 award. And it was their experience first-time around, as well as the positive impact it had on the club, that has inspired them to try again.
Mojisola Green, LUEC’ s Heinke Trophy Coordinator for their 2026 entry, reflects on their Heinke history.
“ Winning the Heinke Trophy in 2005 was a huge boost for LUEC. It energised our members and validated the hard work of our volunteers; it helped us attract new members, retain existing ones, and raise our profile. It also supported our fundraising efforts, as it demonstrated our commitment to excellence and community involvement. Winning in 2005 was a defining moment for our club.”
With 2025 proving to be‘ another standout year’ for LUEC, Mojisola said the time felt right to put the club forward once more.
“ In today’ s environment, where community and volunteerism are more important than ever, the Trophy’ s aims align perfectly with the needs and aspirations of BSAC clubs. Entering the Heinke Trophy again is a way to celebrate our latest achievements, reflect on our journey, and inspire the next generation of divers.”
LUEC has also taken advantage of the newly introduced Heinke mentoring scheme, which offers three one-to-one guidance sessions for interested clubs. Mojisola sees the mentoring as a‘ brilliant addition’ to the Heinke Trophy application process.
“ It provides clubs with valuable guidance, helping to strengthen their applications. For LUEC, mentoring will offer fresh perspectives, support us in showcasing our impact, and ensure our submission truly reflects our club’ s spirit and accomplishments.”
Clidive
London-based Clidive lifted the Heinke Trophy in 2020, which neatly followed the club’ s 50th anniversary. It also provided club members with a much-needed lift as their win came during Covid. The contrast between the two years, says Clidive’ s Heinke coordinator, Nick Barter, reinforced just how important the club was to its members.
“ Our entry recorded our 50th year as a club, and so winning the Heinke Trophy was a symbol of the club’ s success. 2019 had been a fantastic year, but 2020 was, of course, a very hard time for the country and