Athletics & XC

Key Information

The SS Athletics & XC programme currently comprises of 3 Championship events, and a Winter XC Series, challenging our students throughout the season.

These events include: SS XC Championships, SS XC Winter Series, SS Athletics Indoor Championships and SS Athletics Outdoor Championships.

After feedback from our volunteers and staff, to better integrate our Athletics and XC Sport Groups, they now both sit under the same banner as Athletics and XC. Many student clubs operate as the same club so we wanted to better reflect our membership, whilst also allowing for more collaboration between volunteers.

Athletics Chair & Contact: Emma Gunn (scottishstudentathletics@gmail.com)

XC Chair & Contact: Angelica Oparinde (ScotStuCrossCountry@outlook.com)

Governing Body: Scottish Athletics. Main contact Erin Gillen, National Development Manager, erin.gillen@scottishathletics.org.uk

Upcoming Athletics Events

You might want to know…

  • A number of our athletes also compete against other home nations as BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) run both Athletics and XC events! For more information on the BUCS Athletics, click HERE!
  • Athletics was one of the sports included in the first modern Olympic Games, in 1896, and has appeared in every summer Olympics since. The founder, Pierre to Coubertin, had been inspired by watching some rural games in Britain – similar to the Highland Games that take place throughout Scotland every summer.
  • Each year we host 3 major events: XC Championships, Athletics Indoor Championships and Athletics Outdoor Championships!

Meet your Sports Chair

Emma Gunn – Athletics Chair

Hello! My name is Emma and I am the current Chair of Scottish Student Athletics and was formerly Vice-Chair (Development) from 2023-2025.

When not competing, I am a UKA Athletics Coach, Field Official and committee member at my local club.
I recently graduated with a masters in Physiotherapy from Robert Gordon University. I work as a Rotational Physiotherapist within the NHS.
Angelica Oparinde – XC Chair

I am Angelica and I am the current Chair of the Scottish Student XC Group whilst, also, being Competitions Chair of the Athletics Group.

I have been involved in Athletics since I was 8 years old and competed as a junior and senior athlete. Whilst doing my Law and Politics degree at the University of Stirling I was heavily involved in Athletics as I was on committee as Track and Field Captain and in my final year as President.

I mostly competed in the 200m and 400m as an athlete but during my role as president of the University of Stirling Athletics Club I became more involved in the XC landscape. I coordinated the Stirling Freshers XC Match in 2024 and attended every XC competition in the 2024/25 season. I currently work in the University of Edinburgh Sports Union as Sport Workforce Activator.

 

SS Athletics & XC Sport Group

Emma and Angelica are supported by a group of excellent volunteers in developing and delivering SS Athletics and XC in line with the SSS values:

  • Phoebe Moncur (Athletics Vice-Chair)
  • Greg Mitchell (Development Officer)
  • Cameron Wilson (Communications Officer)

SSS News

Governing Body of Sport

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