WEBINAR | The Important Role of Sports Clubs

The University of Edinburgh Haries has had a very successful year. In the Summer they picked up the SSS Club of the Year award, before adding the BUCS Club of the Year title to their ever-growing trophy cabinet in December.

It was clear to see why in the latest BiteSSSize Best Practice Webinar in which the Haries shared their success story on what makes a successful club.  Matt Daley (Men’s Captain) and Ella Revitt (Female Captain) talked us through their approach to training, engagement, socials and performance. Student membership has increased this year and over 150 first years were engaged through introductory 5km runs during welcome week. This has been followed up by making training sessions more sociable while still adhering to guidelines set out by Scottish Athletics.

Sustainability is engrained in the club through a policy of Student Coaches. These older students support the development of younger participants and help the transition of club values. Ella and Matt also gave great advice on how their club has engaged students during the past few challenging months and what they hope to achieve going into 2021.

Scottish Athletics’ National Club Manager Francis Smith gave oversight on how a governing body works with student clubs and the type of support available. Scottish Athletics has a development framework and a number of projects available to student clubs. He also highlighted the network of support through better relationships between student and community clubs.

The discussions celebrated the important role that student sports clubs have played this year. With the underlying message that being part of a club is much more than just taking part in sport. The community spirit generated within clubs can support students with their physical and mental health, by providing vital social interaction.

🎥Watch the full webinar here🎥