Thursday 12th October 2023

We are absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news: the successful acquisition of brand new trampolines through the SSS Special Projects Fund.

We are absolutely thrilled to share the exciting news of our recent achievement: the successful acquisition of brand new trampolines through the SSS Special Projects Fund.

The SSS Special Projects Fund is a vital initiative that channels its resources into projects with a sustainable impact on the student sporting community. It focuses on funding projects of up to £5000 that align with the core values of SSS, ultimately promoting growth and development in the student sports realm.

We were able to secure two state-of-the-art trampolines, along with two end decks and a middle mat, all procured this year. What makes this even more remarkable is that we obtained these high-quality items at a significant discount, thanks to the generous support from the Sparta Trampoline Club. Their unwavering dedication to the student trampoline community has made our funds go further than we could have ever imagined, and for that, we extend our heartfelt gratitude.

To ensure that these new trampolines and equipment are accessible and can be effectively utilized, they will be housed at Glasgow Caledonian University’s ARC facility. This strategic move serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it will support the club’s growth, providing members with top-notch equipment for training and competition. Additionally, this arrangement ensures that the venue can host SSS competitions and activities for many years to come, enhancing the overall student sports experience.

Students from all across Scotland will soon have the opportunity to make use of this equipment during the upcoming Scottish Student Trampoline Training Weekend, scheduled for the 20th and 21st of October. This event will serve as a fantastic opportunity for students to come together, hone their skills, and foster a sense camaraderie within the student trampoline community.

“I am so incredibly pleased that our SSS special project funding application has been successful in securing £4000 to purchase two trampolines, two end decks, two end deck mats and a middle mat from Sparta Trampoline Club for GCU.

This will have an amazingly beneficial impact on the GCU team. Not only will it literally double their training time, but they will also now be able to have a safer parallel set-up, which makes learning new skills much less scary! They are also now able to regularly train synchronised trampoline which the team excel in. Although GCU is a small team, they have so much potential and lots of up-and-coming gymnasts who we’ll have to keep an eye on at SSTO! We hope these additional trampolines really empower them to achieve their full potential in the sport and attract lots of new members.

Alongside this, the whole Scottish Student Trampoline community benefits from GCU now being able to hold league events and open training sessions!

We are so grateful to Sparta Trampoline Club SCIO for their continued support and close ties to the student trampoline community. This transaction will result in their ability to buy more amazing equipment for their venue as well, promoting a sustainable circular economy!” Hollie Fullerton, Scottish Student Trampoline Chair

During the periods that fall between our various competitive events and tournaments, the members of the GCU Trampoline Club will be afforded the invaluable opportunity to utilize these tables for their own training sessions.

“GCU Students’ Association is absolutely delighted to hear about the two trampolines and end decks that have arrived at GCU Arc and are funded by Scottish Student Sport Special Project Funds. This equipment will help our own trampoline club to grow and develop as well as offering opportunities to the wider Scottish student trampoline community to use the Arc as a place to train and compete. Thanks to Scottish Student Trampoline Development Group, GCU Arc staff and GCU Trampolining for collaborating, organising and supporting this initiative”. Solomon Ajala (Vice President GSBS, GCU Students’ Association)

The team at SSS is absolutely thrilled to witness the tangible and positive impact that our Special Projects funding has had on the development of student trampolining in Scotland. The success stories that have emerged from the projects we’ve supported have been nothing short of inspiring. Whether it’s through new equipment, enhanced facilities, or innovative initiatives, the Special Projects fund has played a pivotal role in fostering sustainable growth and positive change within the student sporting community. The continued evolution of student trampolining in Scotland is a testament to the power of strategic investment and shared ambition.

Are you excited about the prospect of bringing your own innovative project to life? If so, we encourage you to consider applying for a Special Project grant. The SSS team is here to support and collaborate with you in turning your vision into reality. To kickstart the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our dedicated Business Manager, Julia Stenhouse.

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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. 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 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!

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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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.

Contact: scotstuultimate@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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Friday 3rd February 2023

If you’re interested in learning how to get involved in Scottish Student volleyball, then read more here!

Key Information

Volleyball is a team sport that can be played indoors or outdoors on grass, and sand. The objective of the game is to get the ball over the net and land to on the opposing team’s court. Each team is allowed three touches to return the ball across the net.

Contact: p.mcpate@dundee.ac.uk

Governing Body: Scottish Volleyball Association

Being a part of a student volleyball team means lots of competitions and lots of fun! Some of the many institutions that offer volleyball as a student club include:

Abertay University
University of Aberdeen
University of St Andrews
Heriot Watt University
Robert Gordon University
Glasgow Caledonian University
University of Glasgow
University of Strathclyde
Fife College
City of Glasgow College
University of Edinburgh
University of Stirling
University of Dundee
Edinburgh Napier University
Queen Margret University

Events

Volleyball 4v4 Tournaments
Woman’s Volleyball Cup
Men’s Volleyball Cup
Woman’s National Squad Trial
Men’s National Squad Trial
Conference Finals

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Friday 3rd February 2023

If you’re interested in getting involved in Scottish Student Triathlon, you can find out more here!

Key Information

A triathlon is a multi-sport event that involves swimming, cycling, and running for various distances.

Contact: ssstriathlon@outlook.com

Governing body: Triathlon Scotland

Triathlon is growing in popularity amongst students and below are some of the institutions with clubs:

University of Glasgow
University Of Aberdeen
St Andrews University
Strathclyde University
University of Edinburgh
University Of Stirling
University Of Dundee

Events

Aquathlon
Duathlon
Triathlon

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Friday 3rd February 2023

If you’re interested in learning how you can get involved in Squash, read more information here!

Key Information

Squash is a racquet sport played by two or four people in a four walled court. Players take turns hitting the ball against the front or side walls but below the “out” line. To win points a player must hit the ball in a way in which their opponent cannot return it.

Contact: ssssquashchair@gmail.com

Governing body: Scottish Squash. Main contact, Jack Brodie (Club Development Manager)

If you’re interested in trying out the fast-paced game of squash, the following institutions are some of which have a student squash club:

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

Events

BUCS Squash League
Squash Championships

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Friday 3rd February 2023

If you’re interested in getting involved with Scottish Student Polo, find out everything you need to know here!

Key Information

Polo is a team sport that is played on horseback. The objective of the game is to score goals by hitting a small ball into the opposing team’s goal using long-handled mallets. The game is typically played on a large grass field, and each team consists of four players.

Contact: ssspolo@outlook.com

Governing body: Hurlingham Polo Association

If you’re interested in polo, the below institutions are some of which have student polo teams.

University of Aberdeen
University of St Andrews
University of Edinburgh
University of Stirling

Events

Polo League matches 4 times a year

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Friday 3rd February 2023

If you’re interested in getting involved in Scottish Student Netball, find out everything you need to know here!

Key Information

Netball is a sport similar to basketball, but it has certain rules and differences. It is played by two teams of seven players, with the aim being to score goals by throwing a ball into a raised net. The ball is passed between players by throwing it with one hand and players are not allowed to run with the ball. Instead, they must pass it to a teammate or take three steps before being required to pass.

Contact: ScotStuNetball@outlook.com

Governing body: Netball Scotland

Netball has the highest female participation numbers within Scottish Student Sport! Increasing year on year, there are currently 48 teams entered across 8 BUCS leagues from 15 Scottish Universities and Colleges. Many Scottish university teams also compete in local association leagues, regional ladders and national competitions. Here are some of the institutions that have a student netball team:

Abertay University
University of Aberdeen
University of St Andrews
Heriot Watt University
Robert Gordon University
Glasgow Caledonian University
University of Glasgow
Strathclyde University
Fife College
University of Edinburgh
University of Stirling
University of Dundee
Edinburgh Napier University
Queen Margret University

Events

Conference Final
Recreational Netball Festival

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