Eilidh Paterson, Author at Scottish Student Sport

Wednesday 18th May 2022

We are looking to recruit a Scottish Student Rowing Vice-Chair (Communications) to drive the development of rowing in Scotland.

#ScotStuRowing

Role title: Scottish Student Rowing Vice-Chair (Communications)

Responsible to: Head of Competitions

Where (location): Various within Scotland

Time commitment: Variable, 6-10 hours a month, with 3-4 full-day competitions (weekends)

Role duration: Minimum one year, until 30th June 2023 with the option to stand for Chair if available

Scottish Student Sport (SSS), the organisation for student sport in Scotland, seeks an energetic and committed individual to act as the lead volunteer within Scottish Student Rowing.

The Vice-Chair will have an excellent opportunity to contribute to a large sports programme and develop our relationship with Scottish Rowing.

The Vice-Chair (Communications) will be responsible for celebrating the work and raising the profile of SS Rowing. With assistance from the Chair and Development Group, you will prioritise and promote opportunities to student clubs and collect feedback where appropriate.

As part of the SS Rowing Development Group, this role will focus on publicity. The Vice-Chair (Comms) will also have the chance to create and deliver a development plan, ranging from competition, workforce, and club development. You will help to set new policies for student rowing and may be asked to lead on any specific projects being delivered at the time.

Overall, you will represent the interests of all member institutions and student clubs to improve rowing for students in Scotland.

Main Tasks

Represent and celebrate the student rowing community
Work within the group to identify key areas for the coming year e.g. setting up social media accounts and creating campaigns to raise the profile of the sport
Drive specific communication outcomes as agreed by the Chair and Development Group
Take and circulate minutes for Development Group meetings
Help gather feedback from student clubs and member institutions on Development Group areas of work
Help develop sport-specific policy to improve student experience across all relevant areas of SSS work

Required Skills, Qualities & Experience

An interest in social media and news stories
Proactive can-do attitude
Experience of student rowing in Scotland
Knowledge of rowing landscape in Scotland
Commitment to representing student rowing clubs to drive rowing forward
Ability to effectively communicate with a range of stakeholders

Training & Support Available

Any relevant CPD courses/experience as identified by Vice-Chair, and Head of Competitions
Named staff member within SSS

The Vice-Chair will be appointed on a voluntary basis for a minimum term of one year.

Application is by a cover letter and CV and should be sent to Eilidh Paterson, Inclusion & Culture Development Coordinator, at eilidh@scottishstudentsport.com.

This role can be downloaded in PDF format HERE.

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Monday 16th May 2022

From the 16th to the 20th of May, we celebrate the end of a successful semester of student sport by thanking those who made it possible to get #backinthegame

Scottish Student Sport Chair Pete Burgon awarding two female students with a box and shaking their hand. Behind them are two white Scottish Student Sport pull up banners with blue writing

From Monday 16th to Friday 20th of May, Scottish Student Sport will be celebrating those who made it possible to return to student sport as well and their efforts throughout the pandemic.

We invite you to join in and celebrate, from sports unions to individual students. This is your chance to say a huge thank you to the people in the below groups on Twitter and Instagram tagging @ScotStuSport and using the hashtag #backinthegame;

Monday – Officials
Tuesday – Coaches
Wednesday – Volunteers
Thursday – Members
Friday – Partners & Sponsors

To help get involved, we have created a template to follow HERE. If you have any further questions, please email Cameron, Communications Coordinator.

We look forward to celebrating on social media alongside you.

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Thursday 24th March 2022

In a continued bid to positively influence the culture in student sport, SSS and the CHANGES: Programme has extended our partnership to continue tackling the challenges of initiation and hazing activity within student sport. Read more about the continued partnership below!

As of August 2019, Scottish Student Sport and the CHANGES Programme have strived as partners to advocate that student sport in Scotland is a safe and inclusive environment for all. Alongside CHANGES’ Programme researchers Professor Moira Lafferty (University of Chester) and Dr. Caroline Wakefield (Liverpool Hope University), we are continuing to work towards the commitments set out in the partnership agreement which are supported by SSS CHANGES trainers, Development Committee, and Equality Steering Group.

Through the partnership, we aim to:

SSS Commitment

Promote and market the CHANGES programme to SSS’ members
Continue to formally support the staff within the membership who make up the CHANGES delivery workforce as trainers
Advocate the use of the CHANGES workshop programme annually and work with sport sabbaticals to create a national campaign endorsing CHANGES messaging
Provide ongoing support through SSS staff, Development Committee, and Equality Steering Group

“The work we have done over the last 3 years in partnership has been ground-breaking in the UK. By working together through this agreement, we can move the programme forward through research-informed practice developments.”

CHANGES Commitment

Continue to provide SSS members with the CHANGES workshop programme and components at a not-for-profit delivery
Continue to run SSS Train the Trainer workshops so we have people trained at the Regional level to lead the workshops
Update and share CHANGES resources
Work with SSS to further develop CHANGES to tackle anti-social behavior beyond welcome and initiation activities
Provide support, input, and updates at SSS Conference and meetings as required.
In all work involving CHANGES with other Educational groups/student sport acknowledge and reference the partnership agreement with SSS.

Lead researcher, Professor Moira Lafferty, from the University of Chester’s School of Psychology, told us:

“Renewing the partnership with Scottish Student Sport means we can continue to roll out the Challenging Hazing and Negative Group Events Programme (CHANGES) by working with students, our Scottish trainers, and their Committees to ensure that student sport in Scotland is safe and inclusive. The work we have done over the last 3 years in partnership has been ground-breaking in the UK and by working together through this agreement, we can move the programme forward through research-informed practice developments.”

Eilidh Paterson, Inclusion & Culture Development Coordinator shared:

“We at Scottish Student Sport are so grateful to be partnered with two incredible experts in Moira and Caroline who continue to provide our members’ student and staff with training at no cost but also, addressing extremely important and challenging subjects on campus shifting the sporting culture as we know it. We are delighted to extend our partnership with CHANGES and look forward to being part of the continued progress.”

Since the partnership’s conception in 2019, we have hosted three Train the Trainer sessions which has led to the upskilling of 26 staff from the SSS Membership. This strong foundation of trainers means SSS is able to offer members the opportunity to arrange training for their students on campus with the only cost being to cover the trainer’s travel expenses. As a result, a few of our members have created their own partners who return the on-campus training delivery favor to those that deliver for them.

If you are interested in booking one of our trainers to deliver some training to you or you do not have a staff member trained within your College or University, please reach out to SSS’ Inclusion & Culture Development Coordinator, Eilidh, and submit a note of interest.

Tayside, Fife, and Grampian Regional Trainers;

Eamonn Laird, University of Dundee

Rory Anton, Robert Gordon University

Kieran Matthews, Robert Gordon University

South East Regional Trainers;

Amy Beattie, University of Stirling

Catherine Wilson, Heriot-Watt University

Douglas Jardine – Scotland’s Rural College

West Regional Trainers;

Seona McKenzie, University of Strathclyde

Jamie Taylor, University of Glasgow

Scottish Student Sport’s Staff;

Eilidh Paterson, Scottish Student Sport – eilidh@scottishstudentpsort.com

Megan Richardson, Scottish Student Sport – megan@scottishstudentsport.com

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Tuesday 22nd February 2022

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we are shining a spotlight on student clubs that would like to share their work

40 footballers on pitch smiling to camera, half standing and half kneeling in front of them

Kristina from the University of Edinburgh Women’s Football Club, got in touch with our Inclusion & Culture Coordinator Eilidh to highlight the work the club is doing to ensure their current and future LGBTQ+ members know they are welcome.

Hello Kristina, thanks for reaching out. How has the start of the semester been for the club?

Everyone at Edinburgh University Women’s Association Football Club (EUWAFC) has been happy to have the chance this year to get back together on the pitch and play in matches after a year of social distancing. Each of our four teams – ranging from our first team in the Northern Prem to our newly competitive fourth team in Scottish 3A – has featured several new faces and grown as groups showing great cohesion, strength, and resilience this past semester. Our recreational program also saw a surge in participation demonstrating the increasing interest in football across our community. These remain tough and uncertain times for student sports clubs but EUWAFC has taken every challenge head-on thus far and will continue to do so this semester.

What steps are you taking as a club to make your sport more welcoming to and inclusive of LGBTIQ+ students?

EUWAFC has a strong history of commitment to LGBTIQ+ inclusion and as the club’s first Inclusion Officer in recent history, I’ve aimed to maintain our efforts and build on past progress this year. Both on and off the pitch, EUWAFC strives to offer a welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. This year we’ve worked closely with our Sports Union to ensure the fullest participation as possible for our transgender and non-binary members and still aim to do more work on this front to help with participation in competitive games. We also have previously reformed our Club Constitution to use gender-neutral language and currently, we encourage the sharing of pronouns by our Club Committee and members during introductions and on their social media. Additionally, we run awareness campaigns on our social media (@EUWAFC) throughout the year. Back in December, we participated in Stonewall UK’s ‘Rainbow Laces Day.’ Donning the ‘Rainbow Laces’ was a small way to symbolize our Club’s dedication to LGBTIQ+ inclusion in football, and in line with the campaign’s motto of “Lace-Up and Speak Up,” we used our Instagram to raise awareness of and take a stand against LGBTIQ+ discrimination in sport.

Why do you think it’s important to celebrate awareness dates such as LGBTQ+ History Month?

It’s important to celebrate awareness and visibility dates such as LGBT+ History Month because these occasions give recognition to the progress gained by affected communities while also raising awareness of the continued challenges faced by them. LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport has grown in recent years but barriers and inequities to full participation remain, which need to be addressed. We at EUWAFC acknowledge our ability to be an advocacy platform and change agent in football and Scottish student sport. For example, during this year’s LGBT+ History Month, we are participating in Football v Homophobia’s (FvH) ‘Month of Action.’ As part of this campaign, we will host an inter-university tournament with the University College London (UCL) and the University of Glasgow in honor of FvH, make a club pledge toward further inclusion actions (e.g., formal development of an equity policy and trans inclusion policy), and report on these actions as well as promote awareness using our social media platforms. Through these actions, we both celebrate the LGBT+ community and work to demand better for them.

What would you say to an LGBTIQ+ student who would like to join your club but is worried about how they may be received?

I would say that it is understandable to be worried about joining any new group but reassure them that EUWAFC truly welcomes everyone. Whether you are just trying out football for the first time or this beautiful game has been your forever passion, you can have a place in our club. EUWAFC – its Committee, coaches, and members – will be there for you and is committed to taking active steps to make you feel as safe and included as possible.

Thank you to EUWAFC for sharing their development journey with us. This is the last of our student spotlight stories for LGBTQ+ History but look forward to continuing to shine a spotlight on the membership.

To assist us in our journey to make student sport even more inclusive, complete and share our equality survey.

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Tuesday 15th February 2022

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we are shining a spotlight on student clubs that would like to share their work.

Oscar from the University of Aberdeen Boxing Club, got in touch with our Inclusion & Culture Coordinator Eilidh to highlight the work the club is doing to ensure their current and future LGBTQ+ members know they are welcome.

Hello Oscar, thank you for reaching out to SSS. How has the return to boxing been for the club?

After the last year, going back to the new normality took us more organisation than we expected. The University of Aberdeen released a number of guidelines to assure a safe return, which helped us set up a COVID-safe environment. Since the start of the course, we are asking for at least one negative covid test, and we keep a record of the members who attend training. These protocols have allowed us to start organising socials including a big boxing show, that allows members to get to know each other.

Can you tell us what steps the club is taking to make boxing more welcoming and inclusive of LGBTIQ+ students?

By making it clear that this is a place for everyone. We do not discriminate or judge. As an example, in our latest social, we provided tags where members can write down their pronouns.

Why do you think it is important to celebrate awareness dates such as LGBTQ+ History Month?

I think it is incredibly important in a sport like boxing, riddled with toxic masculinity and prejudice, to celebrate and make everybody aware of months such as LGBT History Month. Many people in the past, who may have been boxers, were too afraid to express themselves and be their true selves.

What would you like to say to an LGBTQ+ student who would like to join your club but is worried about how they may be received?

It is hard to venture into a new sport, club, or environment, not knowing if people are going to like you or judge you. I would tell them that in our club, we welcome everybody, and finally, if they have any worries or doubts we have an equity officer who is there to help.

Thank you to AUBC for sharing their development journey with us and we look forward to sharing stories over LGBTQ+ History Month.

To assist us in our journey to make student sport even more inclusive, complete and share our equality survey.

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Monday 7th February 2022

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we are shining a light on student clubs that would like to share their work.

Ryan from Glasgow Caledonian University Fencing Club, got in touch with our Inclusion & Culture Coordinator Eilidh to highlight the work the club is doing to ensure their current and future LGBTQ+ members know they are welcome.

Hello Ryan, thank you for reaching out to SSS. How has the return to fencing been for the club?

Navigating the intricacies of compliance and trying to ensure the safety of our members has taken a serious amount of thought and effort on our part. That’s being said, we are super happy that we could get back into the swing of things and easily worked off the lockdown rust we had built up. Our members came back with amazing enthusiasm for the sport and we have picked up some new members who’ve shown that same love and appreciation for fencing. We are ready to put the last few years behind us and build up our club to new highs.

Can you tell us what steps the club is taking to make fencing more welcoming to and inclusive of LGBTIQ+ students?

We try to make our sport more inclusive and welcoming to all students by being champions of inclusion in fencing. We always take the opportunity to engage with relevant campaigns and create a supportive community in the club where all individuals are welcome and members are actively trying to promote equality in everything we do.

Why do you think it is important to celebrate awareness dates such as LGBTQ+ History Month?

It is important to pause for recognition of the unique challenges faced by those in the LGBTIQ+ community and for all of us to play our part in supporting and championing LGBTIQ+ causes.

“We are ready to put the last few years behind us and build up our club to new highs”

What would you like to say to an LGBTQ+ student who would like to join your club but is worried about how they may be received?

Come along! We do our absolute best to accommodate everyone and we provide an inviting and non-judgemental environment. If you do have any concerns feel free to contact our committee, we will do our best to answer any concerns or tackle any issues you might have before you come along on the day.

Thank you to EUBC for sharing their development journey with us and we look forward to sharing other stories over LGBTQ+ History Month.

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Tuesday 1st February 2022

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we are shining a spotlight on student clubs that would like to share their work.

Rebecca, from the University of Edinburgh’s Badminton Club, reached out to our Inclusion & Culture Coordinator Eilidh, to highlight the work EUBC is doing to ensure current and future LGBTQ+ members know they are welcome.

Hello Rebecca, thank you for reaching out to SSS. How has the start of the semester been for the club?

Hi there, the semester has started off really well! We’ve just reached a milestone of 300 members – I believe our highest number to date – and we’ve seen the restart of ‘Lothian League’ after a long covid-hiatus which means more match opportunities for our team players. Lots ahead!

Can you tell us what steps the club is taking to make badminton more welcoming to and inclusive of LGBTIQ+ students?

EUBC is trying to make it clear that ALL athletes are welcome in the badminton community and we have a zero-tolerance policy in our club for members who discriminate. We do our utmost to facilitate members joining the competitive team which best reflects their gender identity. We ensure there is no ‘policing’ – people aren’t asked if they are in the ‘right’ group, or if they are using the ‘right’ changing rooms/toilets at our sessions.

AT EUBC, we’ve recently changed the language we use when describing teams. Now, instead of “men” or “women”, we use the terms “men’s team players” and “women’s team players”. This small change will hopefully make our sessions more inclusive. We encourage our members to introduce themselves with their pronouns and to call people by their names until they know what to use. Our current goal is to develop our stance in regard to players who may not conform to the gender division of competitive play. We’ve engaged in communication with the institutions who organise these matches, such as BUCS, to see what we can achieve together.

“You are absolutely welcome regardless of your sexual or gender identity and you’ll see members wearing rainbow shoelaces for support.”

Why do you think it is important to celebrate awareness dates such as LGBTQ+ History Month?

It’s absolutely paramount to celebrate these dates as a sports community because it acts as a strong statement of our values. It’s an opportunity to remind queer people that they are welcome, celebrated, and to combat heterosexist normality and internal prejudices.

What would you say to an LGBTIQ+ student who would like to join your club but is worried about how they may be received?

We’re one of the largest badminton clubs in the country and there’s a community of our members who are also LGBTIQ+. We look after each other and would love to have you! If you have any worries, we have an active and friendly committee that would help you settle in and make friends!

“As a queer member of EUBC, I’ve always felt accepted at club sessions, socials, training, and as a team captain. You are absolutely welcome regardless of your sexual or gender identity and you’ll see members wearing rainbow shoelaces for support. On top of that, the recent steps towards increasing inclusion of trans and non-binary people are a great example of EUBC’s development and make me feel seen and respected.” – Barbara, 2nds team captain.

“I’ve found the badminton club a very queer-friendly group and have never heard of any contrary experiences. Plus, there is a great representation of LGBT+ in our leadership which helps us protect and promote these issues!” – Yiling, Vice-President.

Thank you to EUBC for sharing their development journey with us and we look forward to sharing other stories over LGBTQ+ History Month.

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Wednesday 26th January 2022

February is LGBTQ+ History Month, help us celebrate the great work of the membership!

In the words of our LGBTQ+ Lead Carolina, “every month we focus on supporting the inclusion of LGBTQ+ sporting participants across Scotland”, now it is time to shine a spotlight on that work. This LGBTQ+ History Month, you can help SSS celebrate the great work of the membership alongside your student clubs, unions, and facilities.

Here are some ways you can get involved:

Student Club Spotlight

During the month, SSS is going to share at least one spotlight story each week from across the country that is doing good work within their club by creating a safe & inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ people – Do you have any clubs in mind? If so, please email your interest to Eilidh before Monday 14th February to be featured.

Rainbow Laces

SSS would like to donate our limited stock of Rainbow Laces to our members (max 100 pairs each) during this month with the only cost we ask to be covered being postage. The laces will be reserved on a first come first serve basis. If interested please email Eilidh.

Football v Homophobia Month of Action

FvH Grassroots is an initiative supported by Puma to get grassroots football clubs to take action to tackle LGBTQ+ discrimination in football throughout February, the Football v Homophobia Month of Action. We recognise this is an individual journey for each club, so the campaign pack will provide different ideas which clubs can adapt.

Find out more here.

Trans Active Glasgow & Edinburgh (NEW!)

LEAP Sports programs, Trans Active Glasgow and Edinburgh are friendly sport and physical activity groups where students and community members will have the chance to socialise with other trans people, make friends, and try out new things. Now new to the city of Edinburgh, find out more here.

LEAP Sports Corporate Cup

Would you like to enter a ten-pin bowling team, raise money for LEAP Sports and compete for the win in Glasgow? Find out more here but be quick, there are is limited number of space left.

Thank you to our partners LEAP Sport for continued assistance with our development within this area of work and to our LGBTQ+ Lead Carolina for the passion and expertise she bring to her volunteering role in SSS.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Inclusion & Culture Coordinator, Eilidh.

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Friday 19th November 2021

Scottish Student Sport is delighted to welcome Kevin Harper as the new Equality Steering Group Chair.

We are delighted to announce Kevin Harper as the new Chair for the SSS Equality Steering Group.

Kevin was a professional footballer from 1992 to 2009. The former Hibernian FC striker was the first black player to play for the Hibs, before going on to have a successful career with several English clubs including Premier League sides Portsmouth, Derby and Stoke. Kevin is also the founder of the Kevin Harper Football School of Excellence and is a passionate diversity and inclusion advocate.

As Chair, Kevin will provide support and future direction for the group, and be an advocate of equality and diversity within student sport to the wider network.

Speaking to Scottish Student Sport, Kevin said: “I am absolutely delighted to be the Scottish Student Sport’s new Equality Chair. I have been championing equality within Scottish sport and society for over 25 years and I will do my utmost in the role to make student sport in Scotland, open to all.”

Speaking on the appointment of Kevin, SSS Chief Operating Officer, Stew Fowlie, said: “I am delighted to welcome Kevin to a position of such vital importance to the SSS team. Kevin has a well-informed passion for equality and diversity, and as someone who has faced barriers throughout his own life and career, I know he will provide leadership and inspiration both to our Equality Steering Group and the wider network. I am excited to work alongside Kevin to achieve the cultural and systemic progress required to make sure that sport and active health are truly at the heart of the student experience for all.”

SSS Development Coordinator Eilidh Paterson added: “I am very excited to work alongside Kevin and continue to achieve the outcomes in the current Equality Action Plan and have his experience to assist SSS to look to the future as to what we should be achieving long term.”

The SSS Equality Steering Group

The Scottish Student Sport’s Equality Steering Group was created in 2018 to advise and prompt the staff, committees, and networks of SSS on all relevant aspects of equality and inclusion, with particular emphasis on ensuring adherence to a rolling Equality Action Plan for the organisation.

Kevin joins the group as Chair as they reach mid-way through their annual Equality action plan which will continue to steer the work of the current group (see below):

Emmanuel Akerele – Ethnicity Lead & Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, Robert Gordon University
Georgia Moran – Women’s Lead & East Regional Development Officer, RYA Scotland
Laura Pilkington – Disability Lead, Scottish Para-Swimmer & student at Edinburgh Napier University
Carolina Sousa e Sá – LGBTQ+ Lead & Project Officer Communities, LEAP Sports Scotland
Keith Macleod – Institute of Sport & Exercise, University of Dundee
Fraser Reynolds – Edinburgh Napier Student Association
Jenny Beedie – University of Glasgow Sport Union
Ian Lowe – Head of Development, SSS
Eilidh Paterson – Development Coordinator, SSS

Scottish Student Sport would also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Equality Steering Group Chair and Dr. Robin MacPherson Award winner Barabara Lawson for her expertise and dedication to this work over the last three years.

If you would like to discuss your or SSS’ equality and culture work in more detail, please contact Development Coordinator Eilidh.

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Tuesday 23rd February 2021

Our Equality Steering group have recruited four new volunteers onto the group. Meet our Women’s, Ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and Disability Leads here!

The Equality Steering Group was established to advise and prompt the staff, committees and networks of SSS on all relevant aspects of equality and inclusion, with particular emphasis on ensuring adherence to a rolling Equality Action Plan for the organisation. Meet our four new volunteer leads!

Emmanuel Akerele, Ethnicity Lead

Meet Your Lead: My name is Emmanuel, after serving for two years as Robert Gordon University’s President for Education and Welfare, I am now their Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor working within the HR Team. I love and play football and I am very passionate about equality, diversity, and representation within sports and wider society.

What attracted you to the role? I know that still racism exists, having experienced it myself and hearing of others’ experiences. It is imperative that everyone be anti-racist, and act against racism until it is completely eradicated. During my studies, I co-founded RGU’s Black Liberation Network which is a network of students coming together to take a stand against racism. I have also led several activist campaigns in the past such as Black History Month and hope to add more value to the subject through SSS.

Fun fact about yourself? I love football and I love scoring goals. I am a big boxing fan and my favourite sportspersons are Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua.

Carolina O’Neill de Sousa e Sá, LGBTQ+ Lead

Meet Your Lead: I’m a Portuguese/American who grew up in Lisbon and has been living in Scotland since 2013. I’ve been an avid sportsperson for most of my life; taking every opportunity to get involved in sports teams, competitions, and outdoor activities. I studied at the University of Edinburgh – as an undergraduate in Sports Science and a Masters in Sport Policy and International Development.

Like most people, it was during my time at uni that I really came into my shell. One thing which definitely helped me was joining the Women’s Football Club. It was a place where I felt understood and like I could be entirely myself. It was during my Masters that I developed my passion for promoting equality and diversity through sport, particularly LGBTIQ inclusion. I now work as a Senior Project Officer for LEAP Sports (Scotland’s LGBTIQ sports charity) and Football v Homophobia Scotland.

What attracted you to the role? Student sport is a dynamic, fast-paced industry so I have always considered SSS to be an exciting organisation to be involved in. As for the role, this is a completely new role within SSS so it feels like a clean slate and something I can get creative with. LGBTIQ inclusion in sport is what I’m passionate about, and I’m really looking forward to working with students and sports clubs all over Scotland to make student sport a more welcoming space for all LGBTIQ people.

Fun fact about yourself? Not a fun fact, but my claim to fame is that I went to school – in Portugal – with Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier. He was in the year above me, and I used to play football with him during our lunch breaks.

Laura Pilkington, Disability Lead

Meet Your Lead: My name is Laura Pilkington and I was born with a disability called Brittle Bones disease. I am a current student studying Physical Activity & Health at Edinburgh Napier University. I am a competitive para-swimmer and have been involved in swimming for the last 10 years. I am part of the Scottish Para-Swimming team and have Scottish para-swimming records in my classification. I am currently part of both Scottish Disability Sport and sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport Panel. I am also a swimming teacher covering shifts when I have some free time!

What attracted you to the role? I am passionate about inclusion within sport and know how much being involved within sport can have such a positive impact on your life; mentally, socially, and physically. However, I know that there are barriers that prevent those with disabilities taking part. I think raising awareness of these barriers within SSS is really important as well as finding out how best we can promote inclusion within disability sport. Sport is such a big part of student life and having a disability shouldn’t stop you from participating in this! I am really excited to work with the team and SDS to increase participation.

Fun fact about yourself? I can lick my elbow!

Georgia Moran, Women’s Lead

Meet Your Lead: Hello, I’m Georgia, SSS’ Women’s Lead. I studied Popular Music at Edinburgh Napier University, where I got quickly involved in the Students Association for four years before being elected as VP Sports & Societies for two years after I graduated. I am now the East Regional Development Officer at The RYA Scotland.

Being VP Sports & Socs lead me to so many amazing volunteering opportunities within SSS such as Elected Students Forum Chair, Competitions, Equality and Executive Committee Member and Chair/Founder of the Women in Sport Working Group. I have a passion for Equality and Inclusion in sport and I can’t wait to continue making a positive impact on the Student Sport Sector with SSS and the rest of the Equality Steering Group.

What attracted you to the role? I am excited about this role as it will provide more positive impacts to happen within the SSS membership. I have chaired the Women in Sport Group from 2019, now and I am so excited to keep pushing forward with the rest of the team. I have loved volunteering with SSS the past couple of years and I believe this group will have some amazing outcomes.

Fun fact about yourself? When my mum and I were visiting Nashville, Tennesse we were invited on stage to sing a couple of country songs in one of the most famous bars.

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