Scottish Student Sport are thrilled to have been named as one of the Founding Champion Organisations of the On Your Side Toolkit, a suicide prevention programme, led by The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The first-of-its-kind toolkit, launched today (10th September) on World Suicide Prevention Day has been developed in partnership with the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma.

In a first, the Prince and Princess of Wales have brought together a range of sports organisations from across the UK, from grassroots to elite levels, encouraging everyone to consider suicide prevention as an urgent priority.

Organisations including the FA, Premier League and British Cycling are also involved with the toolkit officially unveiled at an event at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon.

As one of the first Champion Organisations, SSS have committed to embedding the principles of the toolkit; building awareness and understanding of how athletes, coaches, and staff can support those who need it.

SSS have long advocated for the role that sport and physical activity plays in the lives of students, particularly when it comes to their health. Recent data from the Thrive Learners survey (2021) suggests that 1 in 5 students in Scotland reported either suicide ideation or had attempted suicide in the previous 6 months.

Further afield, evidence from the NCAA suggests that 1 in 10 deaths amongst collegiate athletes were, sadly, as a result of suicide. This is a timely and much needed toolkit that raises awareness and provides valuable resource for raising awareness to support meaningful change.

Our Commitment

Our commitment going forward is to work with our membership, partners, and student communities to support the implementation and embedding of the toolkit across Scotland’s tertiary education institutions. We will promote and raise awareness of the toolkit, develop and share key resources for staff, coaches and athletes, and seek to engage widely to raise awareness on a national level.

This isn’t just the launch of another toolkit that then goes quiet. The campaign will be ongoing and our work will only build as we implement the toolkit alongside our members and partners.

Commenting, SSS Head of Development Jordan Dawson said:

“We’re honoured to have been asked to become a Founding Champion Organisation of the On Your Side campaign.

“Sadly, suicide continues to impact college and university campuses across the country. With this toolkit, it is hoped we can provide clear, understandable guidance that ensures every one of us can be comfortable opening a conversation that may prevent suicide.

“Over time we look forward to working with our members, and the other Scottish Champion Organisations to increase the reach and impact of this vital toolkit.”

Access the toolkit here.

Applications are being sought to host upcoming SSS Conference and Festive Gathering events in 2027-29.

Bringing together staff, elected student officers, partners and sponsors from across our Network, both events are highlights of the SSS calendar and have continued to grow year on year.

With Dundee and Angus already confirmed as being hosts of Festive Gathering 2026, and Conference 2027 already booked in, the tender process covers the following events:

• Festive Gathering 2027
• Conference 2028
• Festive Gathering 2028
• Conference 2029

Our Conference is a two day event and includes our annual Awards Dinner. Traditionally this takes place in the first two weeks of June. Festive Gathering is a one day event which we anticipate holding in the first week of December.

All SSS member universities and colleges are welcome to apply, and expressions of interest can be lodged for both events. There is an opportunity to register for a specific year, or be open to either date option.

With over 30 institutions now members of Scottish Student Sport, we’d love to see a range of applicants across the tender process.

Each tender document (linked at the bottom of this article) set out clear requirements for the event, and invite you to detail what your institution could bring as hosts of our Conference or Festive Gathering. Please note that approximate costs can be provided on request.

The deadline for both tenders is Monday 19th October 2026. All completed applications should be sent to the SSS Business Manager, Julia Stenhouse-Walton.

View our Conference Tender

View our Festive Gathering Tender

We’ve been busy recruiting over the summer and are delighted to welcome Zoe Lai into the new role of Admin & Events Assistant.

Zoe started with us this week and is already getting stuck into the action as we make the final preparations for the new season. In amongst her busy schedule she found the time to sit down and tell us a little more about her…

Welcome to the team Zoe! What excites you most about joining the SSS team?

“Thank you! From my experience at uni, community and physical activity were two key things that really enhanced my time as a student.

“As someone who had experience starting and running a student society during my time at university, I’m really excited to continue applying and honing my skills in building community in a student sports context.”

Take us back to your student days. Where did you study and were you involved in student sport?

“I studied Psychology and Business at the University of Edinburgh, graduating last summer. While there I causally dabbled in the Muay Thai club. Outside of my studies, I started and ran Culinary Society where we bonded over our love for food!”

What have you been doing since your studies wrapped up?

“Before starting here I was working with the University of Edinburgh in the Student Accommodation team.”

Do you have a standout sporting memory?

“I was so proud when I hit a personal goal of being able to deadlift 110kg – twice my bodyweight!”

What is your ideal holiday destination?

Anywhere warm with great food and beaches. My favourites so far are Greece and Thailand and I’d love to go back someday.”

And finally, as a founding member of Edinburgh Uni’s Culinary Society you may be the most credible of voices we’ve asked… pineapple on pizza – yes or no?

“I’m normally a massive fan of the sweet and savoury combo, but fruit on pizza… absolutely not.”

We’d encourage our network to reach out to Zoe to introduce themselves as we get ready for the new season. You can contact Zoe at zoe@scottishstudentsport.com.

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

Dundee and Angus College will host the 2026 Scottish Student Sport Festive Gathering on Thursday 3rd December.

While we may have been enjoying a late summer heatwave until recently, our attention is quickly turning to the season ahead with the ever-popular Festive Gathering bringing a close to the first semester.

A condensed single day conference, Festive Gathering brings our members and partners together for some informative sessions, breakout rooms and networking; sprinkled with a touch of festive cheer.

Dundee and Angus return as hosts of Festive Gathering having previously welcomed us on campus in 2018.

Following feedback, we have made the decision to move the annual event to a Thursday to remove any conflicts with Wednesday afternoon student sport. We hope this will free up more staff to attend – and for those in attendance not to feel chained to their phone all day!

Tickets

After the success of our early bird programme for Conference, we’ll be offering an exclusive lower price for our responsive members and partners. Full details on tickets will be released when registration opens in September.

Agenda

How much can you fit into a single day event? Our agenda is taking shape and will provide a healthy mix of member and partner stories, including plenty of opportunity to network ahead of the festive break. More to come soon!

Questions & Queries

Please direct any questions regarding event booking, external attendance or to Julia Stenhouse-Walton. Comments and suggestions related to the day’s content should go to Jordan Dawson.

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!”