Scottish Student Sport Welcomes a New 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

2. 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.

3. 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.