Thursday 23rd June 2016

Connor has been one of our most committed PSP’s this year, attending every training session and supporting a number of SSS events both regionally and nationally.

Connor has been volunteering on behalf of SSS throughout his 4 years at Fife College, his main role has been as a PSP. He has been a huge part of the creation of the Fife College Sports Union and has supported Fraser Reynolds since he came into post as the Sport and Wellbeing Coordinator in January 2015.

Connor is always spreading the word about SSS events to the students across the college, supporting the clubs with training sessions and helping organise teams for competitions (often driving students there himself).

Congratulations Connor! SSS would not be the same without you and we just wanted to say a huge thank you!

Connor has been one of our most committed PSP’s this year, attending every training session and supporting a number of SSS events both regionally and nationally.

The SSS College Nationals at the University of Stirling took place on the 18th of May and Connor came along to the event as a competitor and took part in the volleyball event. Once his event was finished (and his team won the silver medal) Connor immediately offered his help for the remainder of the day. He went around during the day taking photos and updating our social media to keep everything up to date.

He is great at approaching students, engaging with them and the College Nationals was an excellent example of Connor’s commitment and enthusiasm for volunteering. Despite being at the event as a competitor he showed willing and acted as a volunteer for the rest of the day.

Congratulations Connor! SSS would not be the same without you and we just wanted to say a huge thank you!

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Tuesday 7th June 2016

A University of Edinburgh BEng Chemical Engineering scholar is about to embark on an important stage in his plan to compete in a second Winter Olympics.

A University of Edinburgh BEng Chemical Engineering scholar is about to embark on an important stage in his plan to compete in a second Winter Olympics.

Twenty three-year-old cross country skier Callum Smith (picture attached) sat his final exam last week, and will soon head to Lillehammer in Norway for two seasons leading into the PyeongChang 2018 Games.

The benefits of living in Norway, a country akin to the Holy Grail of cross country skiing,  should not be underestimated.

Apart from a year straight after school when he trained in Norway, and also learnt the language, Callum has done the bulk of his training in Scotland; a combination of roller skiing, cycling and running, along with training camps in Norway and Central Europe.

Yet despite his reduced schedule on snow, he achieved his ambition of competing for team GB in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

“I’m sure that two seasons full time in Norway will boost my skiing hugely,” said the Inverurie athlete, who competed in both the 30km skiathlon, 15km classical and freestyle sprint events in Sochi.

“Winning Students have been a great help and this year were by far my biggest supporters,” said Callum.

His move to Norway is being made possible by a sportscotland Athlete Personal Award, combined with other funding sources.

“Since the last Games I haven’t had so much time on snow but my physical levels have improved, so I’m hoping when I get more snow time my results are going to make a big jump.”

Callum admits that combining study with high level sport has been demanding but the University of Edinburgh gave him flexibility.

And, as one of 148 students supported by Winning Students, Scotland’s national sports scholarships programme for student athletes, he has received funding support and the academic flexibility required to perform at the highest level in sport and studies.

Eighteen Scottish universities and 25 colleges form the Winning Students network. Students at network colleges and universities benefit from a dedicated co-ordinator to ensure they can balance their studies and sport effectively.

“Winning Students have been a great help and this year were by far my biggest supporters,” said Callum.

“It would have been very difficult without them and this year all my sporting needs were covered by their funding so I didn’t have any outstanding costs which I had to cover myself.

“The degree I chose is pretty demanding so there’s only so much the university can push around so I can train and compete away.

“Some of my assignments I did a bit early and handed them in early so I could have a six week block of training on snow at Christmas time.

Having emerged from the other end, with potentially another six or seven years before he reaches his peak, Callum is convinced he made the right decision.

“It was tough doing both but I have a degree now and I’m now going into two years full time training with one Olympics already under my belt.  So I’m pretty happy with that.

“I’m still really young so it’s hard to say how much better I can get.  But I’m hopeful of a top 30 in PyeongChang 2018 but beyond that, if I was to continue, I would want to be a medal contender at future Games.”

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Tuesday 31st May 2016

University of Stirling golfer Gemma Batty reached new heights this week when she lifted the Slovenian International Ladies Amateur Championship title in the Alps.

University of Stirling golfer Gemma Batty reached new heights this week when she lifted the Slovenian International Ladies Amateur Championship title in the Alps.

The business and sport student played an impressive 72 holes of golf – four rounds – across three days at Bled Golf Course to win her first international amateur stroke play trophy.

Speaking after the event, Gemma said: “It was a great experience to play at Bled Golf Course – it is such a beautiful setting and the course was in superb condition. Competing at that standard brings out the best in my golf and I was able to use this to bring my game on over the three days.

“I also had the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of Slovenia. It’s very special to be able to visit and compete in such a stunning country. To come out and win is the icing on the cake.”

Gemma was joined at the competition by Stirling golf scholars ChloéGoadby, Jennifer Saxton and Tara Mactaggart. Jennifer made her first international amateur cut, while Chloé finished in the top 15.

Dean Robertson, performance golf coach at the University of Stirling, said: “I’m extremely proud of what Gemma has achieved – her continued hard work and dedication allow her to achieve these results.

“This was a fabulous new experience for our student athletes, giving them the opportunity to meet a new crop of international talent from Eastern Europe. The competition was also run in conjunction with the men’s championship which brought male and female athletes together and created a unique and exciting atmosphere.

This was a fabulous new experience for our student athletes, giving them the opportunity to meet a new crop of international talent from Eastern Europe.

“Our international golf scholarship programme gives students the chance to compete all around the world and visiting Slovenia for this championship has been a wonderful experience for the entire team, giving them the chance to embrace another culture.”

Just last month Gemma celebrated success at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Golf Championship as the only female player in the field. With Gemma’s help, the University of Stirling golf team currently holds the grand slam of student golf titles which comprises the BUCS team match play and stroke play championships and the European Universities Golf Championship.

Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – was the first university in the UK to offer golf scholarships with R&A and has supported more than 180 student golfing athletes to date.

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Friday 27th May 2016

Scottish Student Sport is a crackin’ place to work and we’re trying to make it even better! We are embarking on a pilot project with the NHS to become an Exemplary Physical Activity Employer (EPAE).

We will be posting pictures and stories of the SSS staff attempting to up their physical activity levels, while trying a variety of new sports and activities. We’ll post it all on our social media so you can follow our journey! Our friends at Viper10 have kitted us out, Decathlon are helping us with active travel, Edinburgh University Sport & Exercise have been supporting us and we hope to engage with all of our partners and members as we try to achieve this goal. Who knows? We may even inspire a few people to get involved!

Scottish Student Sport knows the innumerable benefits of physical activity, including the role it can play in weight control, reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes and Cancers as well as assisting in improving mental health and mood which all supports increasing the likelihood of not only living longer, but living better. We also like a bit of banter and a bit of fun so we have created a plan to support all our employees to engage in a fun and enjoyable active lifestyle!

Scottish Student Sport are delighted and honoured to be part of this important pilot scheme

Scottish Student Sport are delighted and honoured to be part of this important pilot scheme. SSS will endeavour to achieve and maintain the standards required of a Category One employer (an organisation with fewer than 250 employees).

We’re all in!  Full staff engagement is promoted and encouraged and different staff members will each be responsible for introducing a new activity. This Friday (June 3rd) it’s the COOs choice (Stew Fowlie) and we’re all in the dark…with the only instruction to bring a bike helmet…sounds interesting!  Watch this space!

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Thursday 26th May 2016

Cricket at the University of Glasgow is set to make strides forward thanks to a new Scottish Student Sport Approved Community Link agreed with West of Scotland Cricket Club.

The partnership, supported by SSS and Cricket Scotland, allows University of Glasgow Cricket Club to access the international standard facilities at West of Scotland Cricket Club (WSCC) for both training and matches, and also provide support to community outreach development programmes in place through Active Schools.  In addition University of Glasgow Cricket Club will be able to access the services of WSCC Coach David Hinchcliffe.

Commenting on the partnership Keith Joss, Head of Service Development at the University of Glasgow Sport said, “I am delighted that we are working with West of Scotland Cricket Club to help promote the sport.  This type of Approved Community Link demonstrates the value of cooperation with our close neighbours and will help us to move University of Glasgow Cricket Club forward.”

Tony Lewis, Chairman of West of Scotland Cricket Club added, “This partnership is an essential part of our strategy to develop cricket in the West End of Glasgow, and we are really looking forward to having University of Glasgow Cricket Club using our facilities and supporting our programmes.”

“This type of Approved Community Link demonstrates the value of cooperation with our close neighbours and will help us to move University of Glasgow Cricket Club forward.”

David Sharkey, Captain of University of Glasgow Cricket Club also sees the benefits.  “Our club has been a bit of sleeping giant in British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) competitions in the past few years.  Being able to train and play our matches at the excellent West of Scotland Cricket Club can be the catalyst to improved performances and results.  We are sure our opponents will really enjoy the chance to play in such inspirational surroundings.”

For information about forming an Approved Community Club Link partnership please contact your SSS Regional Sport Coordinator.

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