Thursday 28th September 2023

In an exciting development for the student sporting community, Scottish Student Sport (SSS) is thrilled to announce the successful purchase of seven brand-new table tennis tables through its Special Projects Fund.

In an exciting development for the student sporting community, Scottish Student Sport (SSS) is thrilled to announce the successful purchase of seven brand-new table tennis tables through its Special Projects Fund. This initiative is a significant step forward for the organisation and demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the student table tennis experience in Scotland.

Special Projects Funding: A Brief Overview

The Special Projects Fund is a cornerstone of SSS’s mission to support student athletes and foster sustainable sporting initiatives. This fund allocates resources to projects that have a lasting impact on the student sporting community and align with SSS’s core values. Projects eligible for funding can receive up to £5000, enabling them to create a meaningful and sustainable difference.

Seven New Tables: A Game-Changer

The acquisition of seven new table tennis tables marks a milestone for student table tennis in Scotland. These tables boast a consistent design and a key accessibility feature—making them wheelchair-friendly. This inclusivity aspect is a testament to SSS’s commitment to ensuring that sports are accessible to all, regardless of physical abilities.

SSS’s strategic partnership with Table Tennis Scotland played a pivotal role in securing these tables. This collaboration not only facilitated a smoother acquisition process but also resulted in additional discounts, ensuring that the funds were stretched even further to benefit the student sporting community.

These new table tennis tables will find their home at Heriot-Watt University’s Oriam facility. Oriam is rapidly evolving into a hub for racket sports, including table tennis. The addition of these tables will further establish Oriam as a premier destination for athletes across Scotland.

Pictured; Cameron Hussain (TT Scotland), Jess Baillie (SSS), Max Tuma (HWU TT Club)

In October of this year and in the years to come, students from across Scotland will have the opportunity to use these tables to participate in Centralised BUCS League Fixtures. These tables will provide a dedicated and high-quality venue for competitive matches, elevating the student sporting experience in the region.

SSS has ambitious plans to collaborate with Oriam to make it the home of the Scottish Student Table Tennis Championships, hosted annually in February. This move promises to bring Heriot-Watt University into the spotlight during the prestigious Scottish Student Games weekend.

Alisa Khalid, Scottish Student Table Tennis Chair, highlighted the significance of these new tables, stating, “These additional table tennis tables are more than just equipment – they represent the growth and development of student table tennis in Scotland. Their purchase will help provide a dedicated venue for our Centralised BUCS League matches and, we hope, the Scottish Student Table Tennis Championships. They will help Heriot-Watt University’s Table Tennis Club develop too by creating an inviting environment for competitive play – inspiring new students to join the sport for both its social and competitive aspects.

Richard Yule, CEO of Table Tennis Scotland, expressed his excitement about the development, saying, “We’re absolutely delighted to see seven brand new Table Tennis tables delivered in collaboration between Scottish Student Sport and Table Tennis Scotland. It’s an exciting time for student Table Tennis, and these new tables will provide yet another venue for competitive fixtures and a space to further grow the student community.

The impact of these tables will be felt for years to come, fostering growth and development in student table tennis while providing a dedicated space for both competitive fixtures and training. As SSS continues to invest in special projects that align with its values, the future of student sports in Scotland looks brighter than ever.

If you’re interested in submitting an application for a Special Project please contact the SSS Business Manager, Julia Stenhouse, at julia@scottishstudentsport.com.

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Wednesday 27th September 2023

Scottish Student Sport (SSS) seeks an outstanding individual to join the staff team. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Competitions to provide coordination and delivery of a vibrant multi-sport programme of national student sports competitions and events across Scotland.

SSS Events Coordinator

Grade 5 (£25,500 –£29,500 approx)

Full Time

Open-ended role

                                          

Introduction

Scottish Student Sport (SSS) seeks an outstanding individual to join the staff team.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Head of Competitions to provide coordination and delivery of a vibrant multi-sport programme of national student sports competitions and events across Scotland.

 

About SSS

SSS is a members’ organisation for colleges and universities across Scotland, providing students with sport and active health opportunities. SSS is at the heart of a network of over 600 clubs and approximately 42,000 participants. It delivers organised sports competitions, provides a range of sports development services, and champions the role of sport and active health at the heart of the student experience.

 

SSS is supported by sportscotland, SFC, and BUCS. Further information is available on the SSS website.

SSS works for all the universities and colleges in Scotland as an independent organisation, but is hosted by the University of Edinburgh.

The Role

We are currently seeking to appoint a full-time Events Coordinator to oversee the Events Programme at Scottish Student Sport alongside the Head of Competitions and Competitions Assistant.

The successful candidate will need to have excellent organisational and communication skills to effectively oversee and administer sporting events with a variety of stakeholders.

The post holder should have an interest in and knowledge of student sport and physical activity and have a minimum of three years experience in a sports capacity – either paid or voluntary.

In addition, the post holder should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of various Microsoft Office applications and data management systems. An excellent telephone manner is essential as is the ability to work individually and as part of a team. Experience or knowledge of SSS events is desirable.

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Competitions.

Equality
Scottish Student Sport is committed to reducing barriers to sport and physical activity for students across Scotland. We welcome applications from all communities, including from trans people and people with variations in sex characteristics, from Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse people, and from disabled people who are currently under-represented in our staff team.

Application procedure

The closing date for applications is the 15th of October at 23:59. All applications must be made online via: https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001

 You can read the full job description here.

For further info, please contact:

Chris Purdie – Head of Competitions

07921 801 649

chris@scottishstudentsport.com

 

Interviews & start date

Interviews will likely take place on Friday the 27th of October. Candidates will be notified the week commencing the 16th of October 2023 if they have been shortlisted for an interview.

 

The deadline to apply is at 23:59 on Sunday 15th of October.

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Friday 22nd September 2023

JudoScotland is delighted to be recruiting for the role of Club Support Officer.

JudoScotland is delighted to be recruiting for the role of Club Support Officer, a role that will empower and enable clubs to make a positive contribution to Scottish society and grow an engaged, diverse membership.

We are looking for an individual/individuals to join the dynamic Business Delivery Team, who will work directly with member clubs to provide bespoke club support and develop targeted and inspiring initiatives and opportunities to attract and retain members.

The role has been developed as part of our new strategic plan Judo For All, with the aim to maximise the contribution of judo to Scotland’s communities through the provision of safe, inclusive and inspiring clubs based on judo’s values.

See the full job description here.

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Wednesday 20th September 2023

The Dance coach will be responsible for delivering sessions within the local community and Movement Park facility.

Dance Coach

 

Purpose:  The Dance coach will be responsible for delivering sessions within the local community and Movement Park facility.

 

This Person is Responsible to:  CEO

 

Main Functions and Duties:

 

  • To work with all staff and volunteers to ensure that the charity is dynamic, responsive, and efficient in its day-to-day operations
  • To assist in providing all coaching of various sports sessions
  • To ensure that the building, and all its assets are always kept in a clean and tidy manner, ensuring that new and existing partners always feel welcomed by the charity
  • To ensure that all the equipment at the charity is kept in a safe and tidy condition, regularly checking the equipment, and reporting / dealing with anything which is damaged
  • To assist the Operations Manager with all aspects of the day-to-day running of the facility, including setting up procedures/processes and subsequent compliance
  • To always represent the charity in a professional manner when engaging new and existing partners.
  • To staff events, when necessary, in conjunction with the Movement Park Team.

 

Education and Experience Essential Desirable Evidenced via
Valid and up to date PVG certificate X Interview
Experience of working with 1 or more sports X Interview
Experience of working in a small organised team X Interview
Experience of working with volunteers X Interview
Demonstrable experience of working with external clients/partners X Interview
Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development X Interview

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Essential Desirable Evidenced via
A good level of computer literacy, to include a demonstrable understanding of Microsoft Office and other software packages. X Interview
Good oral and written communication skills X Interview
Good interpersonal and communication skills X Interview
Good coaching skills, with the relevant sports required for the role X Interview
The ability to adapt sessions as and when necessary X Interview
A willingness to undertake additional duties aligned to the role and/or across the organisation X Interview
The ability to work using initiative and create opportunities within the role X Interview
Enthusiastic and positive attitude towards making changes where necessary to improve efficiency and performance X Interview
Flexible approach to working methods and service delivery, and a willingness to learn new skills. X Interview

 

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a significant new phase within Movement Parks growth and development.

 

Employment Overview

 

Team Movement Park

 

Reports to Head of Coaching
Employment Terms 1 year Salary £10 – £15 p/h (Depending on Coaching experience)
Hours of Work Flexible Holiday Entitlement 28 days pro rata
Location Movement Park (SCIO), Clydeway House, 813 South St, G14 0BX

 

Movement Park (SCIO)

Movement Park is a Glasgow-based charity that uses movement-based activities and creative play to enhance the wellbeing of the local community. Based in a converted warehouse in Whiteinch, Movement Park is an innovative multi-activity facility, delivering a wide range of movement competency-based activities that will provide a strong solid base for life-long participation in physical activity and develop social skills.

Our long-term people attitude will look at every age and stage and seek to provide appropriate time on task for activities across a range of different sessions. We believe that ‘physical literacy’ is as important to understand as any of the other competencies taught such as literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, art and music.

Equal Opportunities

 

The charity (SCIO) is fully committed to the principles of equality and equal opportunities and is responsible for ensuring that no member, employee, or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, pregnancy, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference, or political belief.

 

Application notes

To apply to be a part of Movement Park’s future, please send a covering letter and a copy of your CV to billy.mclafferty@movementpark.org.uk

For further information regarding the post or to arrange a chat with Stephen J Somerville, please call 07368 665 770

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Wednesday 13th September 2023

Scottish Student Sport (SSS), the governing body for student sport in Scotland, is seeking an energetic and committed individual to act as the lead volunteer within Scottish Student Golf (SS Golf).

image of golfer mid-swing

Scottish Student Sport (SSS), the governing body for student sport in Scotland, is seeking an energetic and committed individual to act as the lead volunteer within Scottish Student Golf (SS Golf).

The Chair will enjoy an excellent opportunity to contribute to the delivery and development of SS Golf and work closely with BUCS and The R&A.

The selected individual will be a key figure in the drive towards improving and strengthening golf in Scotland’s Higher Education network.

The Chair will work with SSS staff to coordinate event delivery, manage a budget, participate in strategic planning, communicate with student participants, support event volunteers and improve both SGB engagement & club development.

Programme Management:

  • Coordinate meeting(s) for all student Golf Club captains to discuss plans for the year including an end of season review session
  • Promote student Golf competitions and opportunities to clubs

Develop the Programme:

  • Develop and support work on Partnership Agreement with BUCS and The R&A
  • Support club engagement, development and member retention

Deliver Events and League:

  • Develop Student Golf calendar, in conjunction with Competitions Coordinator, Head of Competitions and The R&A
  • Ensure SSS have access to results, participation numbers and other relevant intel on the programme

Attend events (if possible) to ensure consistency in delivery

Apply by sending an application to chris@scottishstudentsport.com and Read the full descriptor here!

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Wednesday 13th September 2023

Strathclyde Sport seek to appoint an experienced and visionary professional to lead the formation, management and activation of capital planning, operational systems and activity programming, whilst ensuring throughout, the provision of an outstanding user experience.

Head of Operations

Reports To Director of Sport & Active Health
Grade: 8
Salary Range: £45585 – £56021
Contract Type: Open Contract
FTE 1 (35 hours/week)
Closing Date 8th October 2023

Job Advert

Strathclyde Sport is the heart of sport and active health at the University of Strathclyde, with the vision of being the most active city centre campus in the UK.  Since opening in September 2018, its impact on delivering an outstanding student experience has been incredible, annually attracting more than 7,000 members and over 450,000 visits across the sporting estate.  We are continually growing our profile to not only create the Strathclyde Sport identity but to also provide further strategic support to the wider University mission.

 

To continue doing so, the University of Strathclyde seeks to appoint a dynamic and visionary leader with the ability to inspire others to continue to deliver excellence in Strathclyde Sport operational services.  The Head of Operations is a new role and will be a pivotal member of Strathclyde Sport Senior Management Team and will contribute to the departments’ leadership to deliver its strategy for the benefit of the whole university sport and active health community.  The role will lead the formation, management and activation of capital planning, operational systems and activity programming, whilst ensuring throughout, the provision of an outstanding user experience.

 

To be considered for the role, you are expected to be degree qualified and have substantial experience in a similar specialist role along with demonstrable track record of managing specialist teams and associated financial resources whilst having a visionary outlook to seek out new innovative opportunities to engage the Strathclyde community.  You should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to unlock people’s potential and contribute to department strategy planning, business case preparation and complex decision making.

Job Description

Brief Outline of Job:

The Head of Operations will lead the strategic development, management and effective delivery of Strathclyde Sport’s operations, income generation through membership and commercial opportunities and facility utilisation.  The role will also contribute to the development of capital opportunities to continue to drive investment in the sporting estate at Strathclyde.  The role will lead shaping the already excellent customer experience built on our growing reputation in sport and active health, anticipate and serve the growth in demand of the diversity of service expected from a leading technological university.  Line management duties will include leading the Facilities, Active Health and Communications & Membership Managers. The Head of Operations will be responsible for driving forwards the service delivery in these portfolios of work whilst actively contributing to the overall strategic leadership and development of the department.

Main Activities/Responsibilities:

 

1. Lead and drive forwards the development and safe delivery pro-active programming of all Strathclyde Sport’s facilities and services – including active health initiatives, group exercise programme, sports club training, recreational access and special events, to ensure optimal space utilisation, customer satisfaction, reputation and business performance.  Engage with, and influence, Sport Union, stakeholders and industry experts to shape plans.  Manage stakeholders through changes to programming to maximise facilities use and customer expectations.
2. Take a leading role alongside the Director of Sport & Active Health to develop cases for investment, deliver on strategic projects and influence shaping and informing the departmental budget and the university’s strategy for sport and active health.
3. Manage, motivate, mentor, and develop managers and their respective teams, to deliver a high quality, efficient and effective service in accordance with Strathclyde Sports requirements and University policies and legislative responsibilities.  Ensure all facilities are presented to a high standard, ensuring an effective and robust health & safety programme is in place, including the appropriate training of all staff, risk assessments, COSHH & emergency procedures.
4. Actively contribute to the senior leadership team, taking a role in strategic development through a proactive and innovative approach to the initiation and management of change, planning and setting team objectives and instilling a culture of continuous improvement, promoting a culture of professional and personal development  to ensure Strathclyde Sport delivers best value.
5. Manage financial performance and business planning of Strathclyde Sport operational services ensuring income generation (eg membership & let income) and spend targets are optimised and managed in line with university financial policies.  Produce detailed reports and analysis to inform business policy and decision making.
6. Lead managing, maintaining, procuring and developing Strathclyde Sport’s operational infrastructure to ensure optimal service delivery, efficiency and effectiveness.  Manage service level agreements with key business suppliers and client groups to define commitments, expectations and instigate measures to mitigate business disruption due to emergencies, breakdowns and failures.
7. Contribute to department strategy planning, business case preparation and complex decision making, shaping the strategic direction of the department delivering both sport and active health opportunities.  Represent the department on University Committees and participate in University wide project teams, task groups and working groups.
8. Analysing large data sets extracted from leisure management software, evaluate existing service provision across mandated areas, liaise with users, anticipate customer demand, identify opportunities and facilitate change management. Determine/challenge the economic value of new programmes/services and how to accommodate them within existing/new facilities, advising the Director on options/preferences.
9. Responsibility for interpreting policy, legislation and regulations relevant for the safe and effective operation of facilities and lead the implementation of changes required.
10. Maximise the utilisation of the department leisure management system software to drive efficiency is service delivery, user engagement and data analysis to inform recommendations on business processes and service provision.
11. Responsible for the development of marketing and design projects, across Strathclyde Sport. Working in partnership with the University Communications & Marketing team and other key stakeholders.
12. Build and maintain a key strategic relationship with the Sport Union based on trust, openness and ambition to achieve common objective to service the student community.
13. Develop within the teams a culture that promotes equality of opportunity and supports diversity and inclusion, and takes into account the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
14. Propose new products, suppliers and services to grow and improve business performance (reputation; income generation; member recruitment and retention), create new income streams and drive efficiency gains; develop innovative solutions to significant problems (staffing and operational).
15. Within the sector and industry, develop and maintain an extensive professional network with individuals, strategic stakeholders and industry experts with the objective of maintaining the department at the cutting edge.
16. Deputise (along with the Head of Sport Development) for the Director as required.
17. To carry out any other duties as appropriate in line with the grade of the role that may be requested by the Director.

Person Specification

Educational and/or Professional Qualifications
(E=Essential, i.e. a candidate must meet all essential criteria to be considered for selection, D=Desirable)

Essential/ Desirable Assessment Method
Degree qualification in sport or leisure, ideally to post-graduate level and substantial experience in similar specialist roles at this grade Essential Application/CV
Membership or qualification of relevant industry body (ie Cimspa, IOSH Managing Safely) Desirable Application/CV
Evidence of ongoing professional development Desirable Application/CV

Experience

Extensive experience in senior management of multi-disciplinary teams in the leisure industry (sport, facilities, active health). Essential App/CV/ Interview
Experience of managing and reporting on complex budgets, with demonstrable business acumen and ability to create new income streams and drive efficiency gains. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Demonstrable experience in project management and expertise in capital projects (new builds and/or building refurbishments; and equipment procurement), covering small to large developments. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Proven capability to lead, manage, inspire and develop staff in a complex organisation and deliver high levels of team working, professional performance and customer service. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Experience and knowledge of leisure based client records management packages and innovative digital solutions to support service delivery. Essential Application/CV
Experience leading and monitoring robust infrastructure solutions (IT systems; client records management; HR procedures) to optimise efficiency and effectiveness. Essential Application/CV
Experience and Knowledge of issues and challenges in the HE Sector and understanding of their impact. Desirable Application/CV
Vision and awareness of local and national framework for sports / active health provision and their opportunities; outward-facing approach; understanding of HE sector / industry trends. Desirable Application/CV
Experience of communicating and influencing at senior levels in large units or complex organisations Desirable App/CV/ Interview

Job Related Skills and Achievements

Demonstrably strong management skills, in particular working and delivering successfully as a multi-disciplinary team leader, team member and autonomously. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Excellent planning and organisational skills with demonstrable abilities in prioritising, delegation, compiling effective strategy & business plans and delivering quality output against them, to deadlines. Essential App/CV/ Interview
High level IT skills for a broad range of purposes together with excellent analytical skills and the ability to present data clearly. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Ability to problem solve and resolve challenges that maximise effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Thorough understanding of complex organisations financial procedures, systems and legislative responsibilities. Essential App/CV/ Interview

Personal Attributes

Ability to lead, manage, inspire and develop staff to deliver high levels of customer service and performance; high level diplomacy, negotiating and influencing skills Essential App/CV/ Interview
Strategic thinker, planner, sport developer; able to build relationships, work under pressure in a fast paced environment, meet tight deadlines and cope with complex issues. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Good presentational and inter-personal skills; developed ability to write reports, chair meetings, manage relationships, connect professionally and communicate at all levels. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Ability to propose bold and innovative user engagement opportunities and bring substantial strategic concepts to fruition that form part of a facilities core offering. Essential Application/CV
Excellent ability to inspire and empower others to drive change, whilst building a constructive & effective team culture. Essential App/CV/ Interview
Ability to negotiate and persuade, and to explain potentially complex financial issues to non-finance colleagues. Desirable App/CV/ Interview

Other Relevant Factors

Flexible approach to working arrangements and travel to fulfil the requirements of the post – available to work outside normal hours are required Essential App/CV/ Interview

Application Procedure

Select Application Procedure (HR use only)

Other Information

Further information on the application process and working at Strathclyde can be found on our website (http://www.strath.ac.uk/hr/workforus).

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Neil Brown, Director of Sport and Active Health (0141) 5482782, neil.f.brown@strath.ac.uk.

 

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of employment relating to the Administrative and Professional staff category can be found at: Conditions of Employment.

Rewards and Benefits

Our staff have access to a wide range of outstanding benefits that include financial rewards, family friendly and wellbeing benefits and career development opportunities, details of which can be found here.

PVG Check

This position involves regulated work, making it a legislative requirement that the successful candidate becomes a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme. If appointed, employment with the University will not be confirmed, until membership of the Scheme has been received. The successful applicant will be precluded from working with protected groups until that time.

Basic Disclosure

This role requires the satisfactory outcome of a Basic Disclosure Scotland Check. The successful applicant will be asked to carry out a Basic Disclosure Scotland Check. Whether an outcome is satisfactory will be determined by the University.

Pre-employment health screening

An offer of appointment will be subject to a medical assessment by Occupational Health. An individual who accepts an offer of employment must complete a confidential medical questionnaire and forward it to the Occupational Health Nurse within 5 days of receipt. If further information is required the individual may be contacted by the OHN or a Medical Advisor and a personal appointment with the individual may be arranged. An unconditional contract of employment will not be issued until Human Resources receives confirmation that applicant is fit to undertake the duties of the post.

Probation

Where applicable, the successful applicant will be required to serve a 12 month probationary period.

Pension

The successful applicant will be eligible to join the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding this scheme is available from Payroll and Pensions.

Relocation

Where applicable, the University offers a relocation package to support new employees who meet the eligibility criteria. The relocation package is offered as a contribution towards costs incurred, and is designed to be flexible, allowing staff to use the financial support available in the way that will be most helpful to them. Further details are outlined in the Relocation Policy.

Interviews

Formal interviews for this post will be held on 30/10/2023.

Equality and Diversity

The University of Strathclyde is a socially progressive institution that strives to ensure equality of opportunity and celebrates the diversity of its student and staff community.  Strathclyde is people-oriented and collaborative, offering a supportive and flexible working culture with a deep commitment to our equality, diversity and inclusion charters, initiatives, groups and networks.

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicity, women, LGBT+, and disabled candidates and candidates from lower socio-economic groups and care-experienced backgrounds.

University Values

The University’s Values capture what we’re all about: who we are, what we believe in and what we stand for. Our Values have been derived from how we act and how we expect to be treated as  part of Strathclyde.

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Wednesday 6th September 2023

Whether you’re a new student or staff member at a college or university in Scotland, we’re excited to have you as part of our community. Scottish Student Sport (SSS) is committed to promoting and supporting sport and physical activity among students. Here’s a guide to help you understand how to interact with Scottish Student Sport:

Welcome to Scottish Student Sport!

Whether you’re a new student or staff member at a college or university in Scotland, we’re excited to have you as part of our community. Scottish Student Sport (SSS) is committed to promoting and supporting sport and physical activity among students. Here’s a guide to help you understand how to interact with Scottish Student Sport:

 

Joining a Club at Your College or University:

One of the best ways to get involved in the Scottish sports community is by joining a club at your college or university. Here’s how to do it:

Explore Club Options: Start by exploring the list of clubs and sports available at your institution. Most universities and colleges have a dedicated sports and recreation department or website where you can find information about the clubs they offer.

Contact Club Representatives: Reach out to the club representatives or captains for the sport you’re interested in. They can provide you with details on membership, practice schedules, and upcoming events.

Attend Taster Sessions: Many clubs host taster sessions or welcome events at the beginning of the academic year. Attend these sessions to try out the sport and meet fellow students.

 

Signing up for a Scottish Student Sport Event via Our Website

SSS organizes various events and competitions throughout the year. Here’s how to sign up for these events:

Explore Events: Navigate to the “Events” section to see a list of upcoming events. Click on the event you’re interested in to access more information.

Registration: Follow the registration instructions provided on the event page. This typically involves creating an account on Playwaze and submitting your details.

 

Getting Involved with Our Leadership Academy

The SSS Leadership Academy offers valuable development opportunities for students. Here’s how to get involved:

Check Academy Offerings: Explore the Leadership Academy section on the SSS website by clicking here to learn about available programs, workshops, and leadership development opportunities.

Apply: When you find a program that interests you, follow the application process provided on the website.

Participate and Learn: Once accepted, actively participate in the academy activities and make the most of the leadership training provided.

 

Keeping Your Eye Out for Coaching and Training Opportunities

We’re running loads of different training and coaching opportunities this year, like our Reffin’ Brilliant program that focuses on training new officials. Here’s how to stay informed about opportunities:

Visit the coaching and officiating Page: Explore the training section on the SSS website for information on coaching courses, training sessions, and development programs by clicking here.

Keep your eyes peeled: Look at our social media pages regularly.

Register and Attend: Sign up for the courses or training sessions that align with your interests and goals. Attend these sessions to enhance your coaching and training skills.

 

Volunteer with Scottish Student Sport and Join Sports Development Groups

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the student sports community and develop your own skills. Here’s how to get involved:

Explore Volunteer Opportunities: Check the SSS website for information on volunteer positions and sports development groups looking for members by clicking here.

Apply to Volunteer: Complete the volunteer application process as outlined on the website. This may include submitting your CV or expressing your interests.

Engage and Contribute: Once accepted, actively participate in volunteer activities and collaborate with sports development groups to support student sports initiatives.

 

Contact a Staff Member for Collaboration:

If you’re a staff member interested in collaborating with SSS or have ideas for partnership, here’s how to get in touch:

Visit the Contact Us Page: Go to the “Contact Us” section on the SSS website to find contact information for staff members and departments or see our full contact directory here.

Reach Out: Send an email or make a phone call to the relevant staff member or department to discuss your interests and ideas for collaboration.

 

Scottish Student Sport offers a vibrant community of sports enthusiasts and numerous opportunities for students and staff to get involved, develop their skills, and contribute to sport in Scotland. Check out our website and social regularly to stay updated on events, programs, and opportunities tailored to your interests. We look forward to having you as an active member of our community!

 

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Thursday 31st August 2023

Scottish Student Sport Welcomes a New Business Manager, read on to find out more!

Scottish Student Sport is delighted to welcome Julia Stenhouse as SSS Business Manager. 

Julia, former Sports President at the University of Edinburgh, joins us from the Scottish Handball Association to take over our Business Operations. She’s a student sport expert and brings a wealth of operational experience that will round out SSS’ Summer Signings!

We caught up with Julia to ask her a few questions before she joins the SSS team.

 

What are you most excited about in joining the SSS team?

 

I am really looking forward to working day-to-day alongside such a fantastic group of people, as well as re-joining the Scottish Student network! I am constantly amazed and inspired by the enthusiasm and drive of student volunteers and athletes and I can’t wait to get back involved.


What’s the best live sporting moment that you’ve been a part of/seen?

 

It’s a bit of a stretch to say I was ‘part of’ her moment, but I did report on Eilish McColgan’s incredible 10,000m gold medal finish at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as part of Team Scotland’s media delegation. It was such an incredible moment, for her, and for Scotland, and it’s something I’ll always treasure.

 

What’s your sporting background, do you play or watch a specific sport?

 

I played tennis and hockey at school, but only continued with hockey at university where I played as a goalkeeper. Sadly, an injury in my second year caused a step away from playing in goals, but I did use my new-found ‘free time’ to get more involved in volunteering with the University Sports Union. I now play and coach recreational hockey at my local club, as well as try to get away skiing at some point during the winter months!

 

Additionally, since working for Scottish Handball – and having learnt the rules – I love watching international handball. I absolutely love the pace, ferocity, and skill of the game.

 

What is your ideal holiday destination? 

 

My ideal holiday destination would be to Australia and New Zealand. I’d love to visit someday and especially to experience the Great Barrier Reef!

 

 

Did you study in Scotland? Do you have a particular allegiance to one of our member institutions that we ought to know about?

 

Yes I did, I studied at Edinburgh University. I also served a term as the University’s Sports Union President before joining Scottish Handball. Allegiance might not be exactly the right term, but whilst I am incredibly excited to work with all member institutions, it’s true that Edinburgh will always hold a special place in my heart.

 

 

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Wednesday 29th March 2023

The 2022/23 academic year has been great for Scottish Student Sport, seeing the continued success of students representing their institutions at both recreational and competitive levels.

This year has seen our development team continue to promote worthy causes and work with other organisations to continue to improve student sport. With that being said, here is a brief outline of some of our work during this period.

 

Membership Audits

 

Our recently completed Membership Audit has revealed some interesting data. We have seen a record of 41,250 members which makes a 14% increase in the number of members over the last five years. 50% identify as female while 46% identify as male. This makes this the third year where the majority of our members have been female-identifying. Our members are also spread across 586 clubs representing 91 different sports. This record-breaking year has shown the enthusiasm within student sport and we hope to see these impressive members expand further in the future.

 

Football vs. Homophobia Month of Action

 

2023 alone has already seen massive strides towards the acceptance of LGBTQI+ people in football, including the public coming out of Czech Republic international Jakub Jankto and Scotland’s Zander Murray. However, the fight against homophobia in football is still as relevant as ever. Scottish Student Sport has worked with partner organisation Leap Sports to help raise awareness towards issues still faced in the sport, as well as to bring more inclusivity into the beautiful game. Football vs. Homophobia has also been championed by four institutions, those being: University of Edinburgh Women’s FC, Abertay University FC, Heriot-Watt University FC and Edinburgh Napier FC. If you want to learn more, we featured Carolina Sousa e Sá, Leap Sports’ Lead Project Officer, on our official podcast. In Episode 25 of the podcast, we discussed LGBT+ people in sports, the issues that are still faced and how we can continue to improve inclusivity across the sport.

 

Active Health Forum

 

The Scottish Student Sport network believes in developing not just the physical health benefits of student sport but the mental health benefits as well. In February we held the Active Health Forum, where staff from SAMH, CIMSPA and The Daily Mile gave presentations alongside healthy discussions from representatives across many of Scotland’s Institutions. Hearing from sector leaders and encouraging discussion, network members left enthused with ideas and best practices to make their institutions a healthier and more active place.

 

Leadership Programme

 

The SSS Leadership Programme has continued for the 2022/23 academic year and has seen eight students given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Those previously included in the course have seen themselves flourish in the sporting industry. The programme returned in January 2023 and has seen the lucky students gain insightful insider information from industry experts such as Guy Richardson of Eiger Performance and Ross Simpson from the University of Edinburgh. We aim to help young people gain experience in the sporting world which can hopefully waylay themselves into an industry job in the future.

 

Reffin’ Brilliant

 

Every sport needs players to make a game happen but they also need officials. This is why Scottish Student Sport has continued its Reffin’ Brilliant programme which allows students to gain experience refereeing across a range of different sports. Supported by sportscotland, the programme helps budding students gain experience officiating, with the possibility that they could become match officials in professional games going forward.

 

Boccia Special Projects

 

The University of Stirling hosted the first Boccia Festival in November 2022. At Scottish Student Sport, we believe in inclusivity and allowing sports to be enjoyed by everyone. The emergence of Boccia as a student sport has enabled more athletes with disabilities to perform. Working alongside Scottish Disability Sport, SSS accepted a Special Projects Fund bid, which provided institutions with Boccia kits to make the sport more accessible. Eight institutions were successful in their applications, these were:

 

  • City of Glasgow College
  • Edinburgh Napier University
  • Heriot-Watt University
  • Perth College UHI
  • University of Aberdeen
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Stirling
  • University of West of Scotland

 

With these new kits, we hope these institutions will continue to build upon their hard work and continue to allow more students with disabilities to get involved.

 

While we can’t go into detail about all the work done by the development team, they have continued to work intensely to improve our work as an organisation. Some other examples of their work include new disability forums across campuses, coaching and officiating programmes, MHiS and UKAD training, and HBHM engagement.

 

This was the story so far with our development in 22/23. In the coming months, we will continue the work we have put in to develop the best organisational practices for our institutions and students to allow them the best opportunities in the world of sport.

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Friday 3rd February 2023

If you’re interested in getting involved in Scottish student ultimate frisbee, learn how you can here!

Key Information

 

Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact, self-refereed sport played with a flying disc. Players cannot run with the disc and must pass it to players by throwing it. The objective of the game is to score points by catching the disc in the opposing team’s end zone. Ultimate can be played indoors or outdoors, with indoor games being played on a smaller 5 a side pitch whereas outdoor ultimate is 7 a side.

 

Contactscotstuultimate@gmail.com

Governing Body: UK Ultimate

Ultimate is known for its emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play. If you’re interested, some of the institutions that offer an ultimate frisbee team include:

 

  • University of Glasgow
  • University Of Aberdeen
  • University of St Andrews
  • University of Strathclyde
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University Of Stirling
  • University Of Dundee
  • Heriot Watt University

 

Events

 

  • Mixed Indoor Regionals is the first and largest event of the year
  • BUSC League
  • Nationals

 

 

 

 

 

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