Service Break has won the Arts University Bournemouth Enterprise Award 2026, marking a major milestone for the independent sports media brand and athlete platform as it continues to grow at the intersection of sport and creativity.
Service Break was created to bridge the gap between sport and the creative industry. In the AUB feature, Grace (our founder) said the idea came from “seeing how many athletes and creatives were going under the radar, and how difficult it can be for students to get a proper entry point into the industry.”
The award recognises not just what Service Break has already built, but the ambition behind it: to create something intentional, professional, and community-led that can grow into a long-term creative business. Grace added that winning the award “has given me a massive boost of confidence to keep developing it,” and that the Creative Business Incubator will be valuable for building “partnerships” and helping turn the project into something sustainable.
“It was amazing to be part of the awards process, and honestly, such a great experience to have the idea recognised in that way. The pitching process really pushed me to think clearly about what Service Break is, why it matters, and where I want to take it next.
Grace Kenneally – Founder of Service Break
AUB’s Innovation Studio team praised the calibre of the student finalists, with Clare Trevanion saying she was “genuinely blown away by the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit” of the students who reached the pitch stage. She also said the ideas presented showed “exactly the kind of innovative thinking and commercial awareness that AUB students are known for.”
Read the full AUB article here.
