Scottish Student Sport is proud to launch its new Equality Action Plan, setting out our renewed commitment to creating a sector where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and belong.

Developed through extensive engagement with our members, partners, students and volunteers, the plan marks an important step forward in how SSS will champion equality across the Scottish tertiary education sport sector. Rather than viewing equality as a standalone piece of work, the Action Plan embeds inclusion across everything we do – from leadership and governance to participation, workforce development, events and partnerships.

Built around the principles of the Moving to Inclusion framework, the plan focuses on creating meaningful, measurable change through collaboration, accountability and continual learning. It recognises that while progress has been made, there remains more to do to ensure that every student can experience the benefits of sport and physical activity without barriers. The wider sport sector is increasingly emphasising measurable inclusion outcomes and accountability, reflecting a broader shift towards action rather than intention.

Commenting, Head of Development Jordan Dawson said:

“Our new Equality Action Plan has been about listening, learning and being honest with ourselves about where we can do better to create actionable difference. Our Equality Action Group has led the way on challenging our thinking and contributing their own intentions for change.

“This plan is all about turning those good intentions into action and working together with our members and partners to make student sport a place where everyone feels they belong, can take part and has the opportunity to thrive.”

The Action Plan is underpinned by four priority areas:

• Women and Girls
• Disability
• LGBTQ+
• Race and Ethnicity

These themes provide focus for our work while recognising that equality is intersectional and that creating inclusive environments benefits everyone involved in student sport.

A New Equality Action Group

Alongside the launch of the Action Plan, SSS has established a refreshed Equality Action Group, bringing together, practitioners and sector experts to help guide, challenge and support the delivery of the plan. The Group will play a key role in ensuring that the voices and experiences of our membership continue to shape the direction of this work.

The Group will continue to be chaired by Wayin Hatton, who said:

“This Equality Action Plan represents an important step forward. It brings together our ambition with clear areas of focus and accountability, and sets out how we will continue to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of our work.

“I look forward to the progress we will make together, and to the impact this will have across our community and the wider sector.”

The publication of the Action Plan is not the end of a process – it is the beginning of one.

Throughout the lifetime of the plan we will regularly review our progress, publish updates on actions, celebrate successes and be open about the challenges we encounter. We recognise that meaningful change takes time, partnership and a willingness to learn, and we are committed to ensuring this remains a living document rather than one that sits on a shelf.

We invite all members, partners and students to engage with the Action Plan, contribute to its delivery and work with us to build a student sport sector where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

View our Equality Action Plan

Our work and progress will be tracked on our dedicated Equality Action Group webpage – launched as part of a refresh of our website’s Development section to better reflect the work we do.

Updated 15/09/26

The Scottish Student Sport network came together for our Annual General Meeting, which took place virtually on Wednesday 19th August.

Alongside business and financial updates from the organisation, voting took place for vacant positions on our three committees: Executive, Competitions and Development.

On our Executive Council, Jonny Pearson (Edinburgh College) has been elected for a second term as SSS Chair. Chris Sellar (Heriot-Watt University) and Mark Munro (University of Edinburgh) fill the two contested staff member roles. Taking up the one year student positions are sabbatical officers Tilly Galvin (University of Strathclyde), Eilidh McQuillan (University of Glasgow), and Hamza Siddiqi (Glasgow Caledonian University).

Moving to our Competitions Committee, and Johnathan MacLeod (UWS) was reelected as as a Staff Member. Aonghus Sellar (SS Football) will have a third year as Sports Chair Representative, while Toni Woods (UWS) was named as Student Member.

On our Development Committee, Anna Edvaldsson (University of Stirling), Amber Main (University of Edinburgh) and Craig Stephen (Edinburgh Napier University) were elected as Staff Members, with one further vacancy available. Connie Chen (University of Edinburgh) and Aidan Horsburgh (University of St. Andrews), battled through the AGM’s most-contested election to be named Student Members.

Finally, Paul McPate (University of Dundee) was nominated as an SSS Honorary Life Vice President following his retirement as Co-Director Sport & Active Health before the summer break. His endorsement was unanimously approved by members, making him the latest individual to receive SSS’s highest honour.

Thank you to all those who attended our AGM and best of luck to our new elected representatives over the coming year!

Committees in Full

Executive Council 2026/27

It wasn’t just the SSS staff team getting in and amongst the Commonwealth Games action in Glasgow last week. We were delighted to see a number of our volunteers step up to support on the international stage.

One of those volunteers was our Athletics Chair Emma Gunn. We caught up with her at the end of her time as Team Leader – Equipment, operating at Scotstoun Stadium across the event.

Why did you apply for a role at Glasgow 2026?

I applied to make the most of a home Commonwealth Games and gain new skills working at the professional stage. I also considered applying to support as a physiotherapist or official but I am happy with my choice!

How did your role with SSS help with your application?

My roles in Scottish Athletics and Scottish Student Sport definitely helped secure me a place in my preferred sport and discipline. Having developed leadership and event organisation as in my role as Chair, I was put forward for the role of Team Leader which was hugely exciting.

Tell us about your role at Glasgow – what are you doing?

I am working on the equipment alongside technical officials – making the most of being a licensed official to gain unique experiences. You may have spotted me on the field of play transporting equipment but behind the scenes we are registering equipment, safety checking and completing the checks to ensure implements meet strict criteria. For example, I helped measure and transport the Commonwealth record-breaking hammers and completed safety checks on the frames for seated throws.

As the team leader I am also responsible for my volunteers, ensuring they are enjoying the experience, getting their breaks and helping delegate tasks

What’s one thing you hope to learn/experience at the Games?

I am excited to take in the atmosphere of the games and return to Scotstoun to support old friends. I hope to gain experience at higher levels of competition to encourage me to consider more opportunities in future

What do you hope to take back to your role with SSS next season?

Creativity with identifying volunteering roles and making this enjoyable, I am hoping to recruit more volunteers for Scottish Student Athletics next year.

Congratulations Emma on a successful Commonwealth Games! Would you like to start your volunteering journey with SSS? Take a look at our current vacancies.

As the 2026 Commonwealth Games prepare to kick off in Glasgow this week, two SSS staff members are preparing for a busy couple of weeks.

Head of Competitions Chris Purdie and Business Manager Julia Stenhouse-Walton have both secured key voluntary roles with Team Scotland, meaning they will be at the heart of the action in Glasgow.

As previously announced, Chris will hold the title of Deputy Chef de Mission for the Games, taking responsibility for a lot of the background logistics that will allow the sizable Team Scotland squad to operate smoothly.

Julia, meanwhile, has built on experience from the 2022 Commonwealth Games to work in the Celebrating Success branch of the media team, supporting athletes with their duties post-event.

Ahead of Thursday’s Opening Ceremony, we caught up with Julia to hear about her Team Scotland journey…

Take us back 12 years – where were you for Glasgow 2014 and what are your memories of those Games?

Julia: “I was six months shy of my 16^th birthday when applications closed to be a volunteer for Glasgow 2014. I was absolutely devastated. I remember emailing the hiring manager to try and persuade them to make an exception! So, in 2014, I attended the games only as a spectator. I was playing as a hockey goalkeeper at school at the time, so we got tickets for what felt like all the hockey matches. What I remember most is the Malaysian women’s goalkeeper. She was utterly incredible!”

How did you first get involved with Team Scotland as a volunteer?

Julia: “I had worked a volunteer digital media role at Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics, and found that I really loved sharing the stories of Scottish athletes. When the volunteer media roles for Birmingham 2022 opened shortly after, I jumped at the chance to apply. I was really lucky to be selected as Digital Officer for Team Scotland that year. After my experience at the 2022 Games, I was eager to come back for more!”

What are you most excited about with these Games?

Julia: “It feels pretty special that this time around I get to experience a home Games as part of Team Scotland, just as I dreamed of when I was 16. Birmingham was a fantastic experience, but there’s something extra special about a Games being hosted in Scotland.”

What skill that you’ve developed at SSS will be most beneficial in your role with Team Scotland?

Julia: “I think the main skill I’ve further developed, and one that will really benefit me in this Team Scotland role, is clear communication. In my role at SSS, I support the organisation of large-scale member events. These events require consistent, clear communication with partners, members and venues, as well as across our staff team, to make sure everything runs smoothly. It’s a skill I’ll be putting to good use as part of the Celebrating Success team with Team Scotland this summer.”

How does volunteering in a games environment improve or develop you when returning to the day job?

Julia: “A Games environment is what I’d describe as “enjoyable chaos”. It teaches you to make decisions quickly, think on your feet and adapt to whatever comes your way. There’s often no time to overthink, so you have to stay switched on and solve problems creatively. It’s a brilliant lesson in prioritisation, thinking outside the box, and staying calm in an ever-changing environment. All these skills are really useful when returning to the day job!”

Lastly… Prediction time – where will Team Scotland finish on the medal table?

Julia: “#1 Always! LET’S GO SCOTLAND!”

Scottish students, staff, and volunteers will be front and centre of the action as the 2026 Commonwealth Games gets underway in Glasgow this week.

3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories arrive in Glasgow to compete across ten sports, with the action kicking off with the Opening Ceremony this Thursday.

The opportunity for a home Commonwealth Games is something most athletes can only dream of. It is especially notable for this generation of athletes as many grew up and were inspired by Glasgow’s last Commonwealth Games in 2014; citing the event as pertinent in them falling in love with their sport.

Who to look out for?

Those in search of medal opportunities for Scottish students should start their search at the pool where students are prominent in the Team Scotland squad.

Leading the charge is our two-time Scottish Student Sport Female Athlete of the Year Angharad Evans (University of Stirling). British record holder in both the 100m and 200m Breaststroke, she will compete across individual and relay events in a bid to boost Team Scotland’s medal haul.

Evans is one of 18 swimmers based at the University of Stirling who will compete, representing Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Malaysia. of that number, eight are also supported by the Winning Students 100 Scholarship.

A total of 27 students competing in Glasgow were recipients of a Winning Students scholarship in 2025/26, which supports students competing at the highest level of sport alongside their studies.

On the track, Megan Keith (University of Edinburgh) will be helping lead the capital institution’s hopes as she competes over the 5,000m and 10,000m events, while sprinters Alyson Bell (University of Edinburgh) and Lucy Fraser (University of Glasgow) will be part of a women’s 4x100m squad pushing for home success.

Fraser has also been a mainstay of our Scottish Student events this season winning Gold in the 400m at our Indoor Championships (in a Championship Record), and completing the 100m/2oom double at Outdoors in Aberdeen.

Two student gymnasts will take to the floor in Cameron Lynn and Crystelle Lake (both University of Stirling), while the university will also be represented by Shayne Humphries who will play in Scotland’s first Commonwealth Games 3×3 wheelchair basketball team. Joining Humphries will be West Lothian College student Finlay Erskine, one of two Scottish college students competing.

The University of Strathclyde are represented by Mark Stewart in track cycling and Lexy Gillies in netball, who is joined in the squad by Jazmine Moore (University of Glasgow).

Judo sees a number of current students compete, including Sunny Doig (Heriot-Watt University), Eva Ewing (City of Glasgow College), and Sophie Wood (Edinburgh Napier University).

In the SEC, Team Scotland will be hoping that Weightlifter Alex Mackay (University of Dundee) can produce a similar performance to the one that secured them the British Championship last month.

Who else is involved?

Aside from the athletes, staff from across the sector are involved

We’re also delighted that two of our staff team are involved with Team Scotland – Chris Purdie as Deputy Chef de Mission and Julia Stenhouse-Walton who will support the Celebrating Success media team. Hear more from them soon.

Finally, the Games would not be possible without the incredible number of volunteers who have stepped up. Many are current students with a number also current volunteers with SSS. We’ll be chatting to a few of them about their experiences throughout the summer.