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 30th August 2023

We are delighted to welcome Eilidh Paterson as the new Scottish Student Sport Head of Development!

We are delighted to welcome Eilidh Paterson as the new Scottish Student Sport Head of Development!

Eilidh began her Scottish Student Sport career five years ago as a Regional Development Coordinator, before transitioning into the Inclusion and Culture Coordinator. Eilidh takes on the mantle from Ian Lowe, who has now moved into a new role at Robert Gordon University.

We caught up with Eilidh to ask her a few questions about how she’s feeling about her new position:

  1. What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I can’t wait to catch up with the membership and share our development team’s plans for 2023/24. I’d like to get feedback on our ambitious plans and bring back opportunities to catch up and share experiences within the national forum. It’s a very exciting time to be part of the SSS family with 19 Active Campus Coordinators coming into the fold and starting their journey alongside us. We’ll be sure to update the members on their overall development throughout the year

  1. Great stuff! What do you think is the biggest challenge you think you’ll face?

This might sound like a cliché but I don’t really see challenges as such, just opportunities. I understand our members are facing challenges like reduced funding, student suffering due to the cost of living, and growing inequalities. So I want to ensure that the Development team has our ear to the ground and is primed to assist if and when needed.

For those who may not know, I decided to move back home to Thurso before my very exciting appointment. A challenge will be balancing in-person opportunities and ensuring when I do travel, our sustainable value is at the forefront – she says typing on a bus to Inverness.

  1. What can the membership expect from Eilidh Paterson, Head of Development?

They can expect the same warm-hearted greeting when I see you but also grit and determination to ensure our students are receiving equal support and opportunities within their sporting community. Even though we have just had our highest-ever number of active students in Scotland at 41,000+, I know the active student population are still a minority and I am determined for that to change and ultimately, assist Scotland in becoming a healthier nation.

You can get in contact with Eilidh by emailing Eilidh@scottishstudentsport.com.

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Thursday 3rd August 2023

Police Scotland aims to provide you with important safety advice to help prevent you becoming a victim of crime.

Police Scotland aims to provide you with important safety advice to help prevent you becoming a victim of crime.

Common frauds that students are experiencing today can range from the more recognisable face to- face fraud to those carried out by someone anonymously online.

Advances in technology enable you to carry out daily tasks more easily, but can be frequently exploited by fraudsters interested in your personal information and money.

This guide will equip you with information and advice to increase your awareness, prepare you to identify potential frauds and prevent the loss of your valuable data to those intent on stealing it.

See the full safety guide here.

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Wednesday 12th July 2023

SSS Sport and Active Health Coordinator Ben recently embarked on an exciting trip to the Technogym factory in Bologna.

SSS Sport and Active Health Coordinator Ben recently embarked on an exciting trip to the Technogym factory in Bologna. On Wednesday 5th July, Ben flew to Italy with the Technogym team to explore the latest developments within the Technogym range and discuss how SSS can utilize this knowledge to better support their partners on their Active Health journey.

The invitation extended to SSS was a result of the exciting news that Technogym had become a key commercial partner moving forward. This partnership opened up the opportunity for SSS staff to visit the Technogym headquarters and interact with the product and digital development teams, gaining insight into the upcoming projects and initiatives that Technogym has in the pipeline. This collaboration between SSS and Technogym ensures that SSS can provide the best possible support to partners utilizing Technogym products, ultimately enhancing the student experience and promoting Active Health opportunities.

During the visit, Ben had the chance to witness the wide range of products utilized by SSS partners in their establishments, as well as the newly developed Technogym App. Engaging with the developers, Ben was able to delve into the Active Health aspects of the products. Discussions revolved around areas such as tracking, solo and group challenges, and mindfulness and mental wellbeing. This firsthand experience allowed SSS to gain a comprehensive understanding of how Technogym products align with their Active Health approach.

Additionally, the visit included meetings with the corporate team at Technogym. These discussions focused on Technogym’s Active Workplace model, providing valuable insights that could be translated from the business context to higher education settings. This exchange of ideas further enriched the partnership between SSS and Technogym, fostering innovation and collaboration.

When asked to describe the visit in three words, Ben chose “active, exciting, and engaging.” The visit to the Technogym factory proved to be a dynamic experience, brimming with energy and the promise of advancements in the realm of Active Health.

SSS’s partnership with Technogym sets the stage for a fruitful collaboration, enabling SSS to leverage the latest developments in fitness technology to support their partners in promoting Active Health and providing exceptional student experiences.

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Tuesday 27th June 2023

Scottish Student Sport is delighted to welcome Ben Rowlings to the team. Ben brings with him a range of perspectives on sport and will be filling the role of Sport and Active Health Co-ordinator.

Scottish Student Sport is delighted to welcome Ben Rowlings to the team. Ben brings with him a range of perspectives on sport and will be filling the role of Sport and Active Health Co-ordinator.

We caught up with Ben before his appointment to find out a wee bit more about him:

Can you tell us a wee bit about yourself and your new role?

My name is Ben and I have joined SSS as the new Sport and Active Health Co-ordinator. My background is in performance sport and disability sport and I have a real passion for getting people involved in sport and physical activity. My role at SSS is to work alongside our members and partners to get as many people active as possible.

Brilliant, can you fill us in on your sporting background?

My sporting background is based mainly in performance sport. I have been lucky to represent Great Britain at two Paralympic Games and multiple World and European Championships.

What has been your favourite live sporting moment that you’ve been a part of?

I have two that come to mind the first being a personal one, my first race at a Paralympic Games. Coming out of the call room underneath the Stadium in Rio and seeing the Paralympic Stadium open up in front of me.

The second being the 2004 Champions League Final in Istanbul. I have always been a massive Liverpool fan and that was the first football match I can remember being nervous watching (the last 45 minutes anyway).

 

Ben started this week and can be found via email at Ben@scottishstudentsport.com

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Monday 26th June 2023

Scottish Student Trampoline champion disability sport through fundraising and new disability inclusive competition categories!

The Scottish Student Trampoline development group have championed disability sport within trampoline and beyond this year, raising money for Beeslack All Stars Disability Sports Club and striving to ensure everyone had a place at the Scottish Student Trampoline Open.

Jordan, Lynne, Hollie and Cait pictured from left to right a the Scottish Student Trampoline Open

Jordan, Lynne, Hollie and, Cait pictured from left to right

Through a number of fundraising events throughout the year the Trampoline development group raised funds to support Beeslack All Stars and the incredible work they do in providing young people with opportunities to participate in sport. Beeslack All Stars DSC are a grass-roots multi-ability, multi-sports, club linked with Scottish Disability Sport. They provide sporting opportunities for children and young adults with additional support needs and their siblings. At All Stars, everyone can try out new sports together, promoting improved physical and mental health, whilst developing their social and emotional skills, communication and confidence. All Stars also guide their members to pathways into SDS competitions, the Special Olympics, and have even had members go onto the Paralympics!

SST also worked hard to make their own events more inclusive, adding a disability category at the Scottish Student Trampoline Open for the first time ever!

Hollie Fullerton, SS Trampoline Chair said:

Representatives from Beeslack All Stars at the SS trampoline open handing out medals

Representatives from Beeslack All Stars presenting medals at the Scottish Student Trampoline Open

Our donations will allow them to fund their staffing, take on new members, and purchase specialist equipment. They are also local to SSTO, training just outside of Edinburgh. The work they are doing is a total lifeline for the families they support and they are heavily involved in their local and wider community.

We selected All Stars as our partner charity this year to celebrate and champion inclusion in sport which is especially prominent since it is our first year offering a disability category within SST.”

The SST development group raised money through their social bands, donating the profits back to All Stars. Through the generosity of the Scottish Student Sport Trampoline Community, £975 has been donated to Beeslack All Stars.

Every club that attended the Scottish Student Trampoline Open purchased social bands so they are all to thank for this generous donation.

If you would like to learn more about Scottish Student Sports’ wider inclusion and diversity work then please get in contact with Inclusion & Culture Coordinator Eilidh Paterson.

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Thursday 8th June 2023

The prestigious Annual Scottish Student Sport Awards dinner took place at Queen Margaret University last night, Wednesday the 7th of June, as part of the SSS Conference.

SSS AWARDS 2023 | Celebrating Super Staff, Students and Volunteers!

The prestigious Annual Scottish Student Sport Awards dinner took place at Queen Margaret University last night, Wednesday the 7th of June, as part of the SSS Conference. This highly anticipated event brought together the finest staff, volunteers, coaches, and athletes within the Scottish Student Sport (SSS) network, honoring their exceptional contributions to student sport.

The event serves as a platform to recognize outstanding contributions across various categories, including Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, Club of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Honorary Presidents Medal, and the Dr. Rob Macpherson Award.

Coach of the Year – Chris Geddes

The Coach of the Year award acknowledges the remarkable efforts of coaches who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and skill development within the SSS network. This year the award goes to the University of Stirling’s Mens High-Performance Football Coach Chris Geddes.

Club of the Year – University of St. Andrews Cheerleading Club

The Club of the Year award honors a student club that has shown exceptional commitment to fostering inclusivity, participation, and success in their sport. This year the award goes to the University of St. Andrews Cheerleading Club.

Team of the Year – University of Stirling Mens Football 1s

The Team of the Year award celebrates the collective achievements of a student team that has excelled in their respective sport. This accolade recognizes their outstanding performance, teamwork, and determination in representing their institution. Congratulations to the University of Stirling Mens Football 1s for taking home this award.

Male Athlete of the Year – Charlie Aldridge

The Male Athlete of the Year award acknowledges an outstanding male student athlete who has consistently demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication, and exceptional performance throughout the year. The 2023 Male athlete of the year is the University of Edinburgh’s Charlie Aldridge.

Female Athlete of the Year – Grace Reid

The Female Athlete of the Year award celebrates an exceptional female student athlete who has consistently exhibited remarkable talent, dedication, and extraordinary performance throughout the year. The 2023 Female athlete of the year is Grace Reid from the University of Edinburgh.

Unfortunately, neither Grace of Charlie could make it to the awards dinner, so their awards were collected by incoming and outgoing Sports Union presidents Peter Sawkins and Heather Lowden.

Volunteer of the Year – James Falls

The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes an individual who has selflessly devoted their time, energy, and expertise to support the development and growth of student sport within the SSS network. This year the award goes to James Falls from the University of Stirling.

Honorary Presidents Medal – Derek Docherty

The Honorary Presidents Medal is a prestigious award presented to an individual who has shown exemplary dedication and service to Scottish student sport over an extended period. This year’s medal was presented to the University of Edinburgh’s Derek Docherty.

Dr. Rob Macpherson Award – Paul Grady

The Rob MacPherson Volunteering award was inaugurated in 2016 following the death of Dr. Robin (Rob) Macpherson. No individual in our history has better embodied the positive culture of volunteering than Rob himself.  He was a tireless, wise, and extremely capable figure who dedicated much of his spare time to student golf, striving to develop opportunities for students and encouraged participation across the board. In Rob’s honour we’d like to recognise SSS Judo Chair Paul Grady, for his exemplary commitment to student Judo.

 

Congratulations to all of our award winners, please see our Facebook album for photos from the evening.

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Monday 5th June 2023

The final SSS Medal Table of the 2022/23 season is here!

The SSS Medal Table is a method for institutions to see how successful their student-athletes have been over the course of the SSS season.

The table includes all events in which SSS medals* have been awarded during the 2022/23 season.

All semester 1 and 2 events which took place have been added.

The table defaults to alphabetical but can be sorted by any of the column headings.

 

SSS Medal Table 2022/23

InstitutionGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Aberdeen University28241769
Abertay University4239
City of Glasgow College4228
Dumfries & Galloway College0011
Dundee University17112452
Edinburgh College1326
Edinburgh Napier University54211
Edinburgh University1049162257
Fife College2439
GCU127827
Glasgow University625763182
Heriot Watt University10151540
NESCol0101
New College Lanarkshire0101
QMU0213
RGU1081533
St Andrews University646247173
Stirling University42302698
Strathclyde University343836108
UHI80210
UWS551020
West College Scotland1001
Z-GUEST29282986

 

Last Updated: June 2023

*Also includes BUCS medals won at Scottish Conference Finals

Compare how your instution got on against the 2021-22 Medal Tracker!

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Wednesday 3rd May 2023

The Scottish Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and athleticism, Students can get involved throughout the summer!

The Scottish Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and athleticism. The games feature a variety of traditional Scottish sports such as caber toss, hammer throw, tug of war, and many more. The games are a showcase of strength, speed, and endurance, and are held in various locations throughout the country.

The Royal Scottish Highland Games Association (RSHGA) has been encouraging more female athletes to participate in the games. This drive has seen an increase in female athletes taking part in events such as running and cycling. The RSHGA has also introduced a new heavyweight championship for female athletes, giving them the opportunity to showcase their strength and skill in the games.

As a Scottish student, getting involved in the Highland Games is a great way to experience the traditions and culture of Scotland. The games are a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and compete in a fun and challenging environment.

If you are interested in taking part in the Highland Games, the RSHGA has made it easy to get involved. Simply follow the attached link or image below to find out how you can become a part of the games. The RSHGA has created a welcoming and inclusive environment for athletes of all levels, so whether you are a seasoned athlete or a beginner, there is a place for you at the games.

Find out how to get involved by clicking here.

 

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Thursday 27th April 2023

Over 220 athletes from 15 universities and colleges descended on Grangemouth Sports Stadium on 22nd April to compete in the pinnacle of the Scottish Student Athletics season – the Outdoor Championships.

Over 220 athletes from 15 universities and colleges descended on Grangemouth Sports Stadium on 22nd April to compete in the pinnacle of the Scottish Student Athletics season – the Outdoor Championships. Despite the strong winds the students gave it their all, determined to win points for their club in the John Innes Memorial team competition.

We saw a blistering Men’s 5000m where the previous student record for that event was broken not once – but twice! Peter Bradshaw (University of Edinburgh) pipped his team mate Finlay Ross-Davie to 1st place in 14:54.64 but both broke the 5-year record.

Women’s discus also saw a record-breaking performance as Kiera Maxwell (University of Glasgow) hit 44.03m – over a metre further than the record set last year in the same event.

The Outdoor Championships also included Seated Throw para-adaptive events for the first time, with University of Stirling’s Adam Donnachie furthering his PB in the discus and maintaining his top UK ranking in shot putt too.

University of Glasgow stormed to victory in the John Innes Memorial Trophy, bagging the most number of team points in the team event. Full results can be found on our website and check out our photo album here. Well done to all athletes and thank you to the officials who made it all possible.

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