We’re delighted to announce that Eilidh Gibson had joined SSS as our new Inclusion and Culture Coordinator. Eilidh has competed at international level in Canoe Slalom and is a passionate inclusion advocate, founding Slalom Inspires in 2018 in an effort to empower girls through sport. We’re buzzing to have Eilidh in the team, so caught up with her to find out a wee bit more about what makes her tick!

Read on below:

1. What are you most excited about in joining the SSS team?

Alongside my sporting career, I have always been incredibly passionate about inclusion. I have lived experience of how sport can change lives and I have worked to create opportunities for more people to have a chance at this life-changing magic. When I saw the role of Inclusion and Culture Coordinator at SSS advertised, I read the description and immediately thought that it was something I really wanted to do. I not only felt that I could make a positive impact in this area, but I also had had really positive experiences with SSS as an organisation when I was a student in Edinburgh. The team at SSS seems like a phenomenally experienced, diverse group of people who genuinely care about the work they are doing. I can’t think of a better place to work! I’m excited to learn from the team and, hopefully, contribute to making sport more inclusive.

Photo Credit – Kim Jones

2. What’s the best live sporting moment that you’ve been a part of/seen?

The best live sporting moment I’ve seen was watching the 2012 London Olympic final of the men’s C2 canoe slalom. I was sixteen years old, surrounded by 12,000 people in the stands as we watched the GB men’s crews win gold and silver. To this day, I have never experienced anything as loud as that crowd. It still gives me goosebumps.

3. Could you tell us a bit about your sporting background? What’s your next big sporting event?

The sport of canoe slalom has changed and shaped my life. I started paddling with my parents on Scottish rivers when I was little but I much preferred swimming (canoeing was always too cold!). I only really fell in love with canoeing when I was thirteen but from then, I went on to make the junior, U23 and senior GB teams. I was lucky enough to compete at World Championship level and spend eight years as a full-time athlete (although four of those years were balancing university!). The time I spent on the British Team brought me some of the most rewarding and challenging moments of my life. I retired from competition at the start of 2022 and since then I’ve been enjoying being a beginner at some new sports. Let’s just say that I’m not a natural at kickboxing… I’m in search of my next sporting challenge!

4. What is your ideal holiday destination?

My family and my sport have definitely made me a water baby so any holiday in the sun near rivers, lakes or the sea is ideal for me!

5. Did you study in Scotland? Do you have a particular allegiance to one of our member institutions that we ought to know about?

Yes, I studied Biomedical Sciences (Physiology) at Edinburgh University and graduated in 2018. Although I’m a very fair person, Edinburgh Uni is always going to have a special place in my heart!

6. Ham and Pineapple on Pizza, yes or no?

100% yes

Eilidh can be reached at eilidhgibson@scottishstudentsport.com.

Photo credit – Kim Jones

In a monumental stride towards elevating the student sports experience in Scotland, Scottish Student Sport (SSS) has officially partnered with Technogym for the new 4.5-year deal. Technogym is the world’s leading provider of innovative fitness equipment and wellness solutions. Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance the health, well-being, and performance of students across the nation

The announcement is an important moment for both organisations as they embark on a journey of shared values and ambitions. Scottish Student Sport has found an ideal match in Technogym, a company that has revolutionised the fitness industry and consumer training experience with cutting-edge technology and a dedication to improving people’s lives through physical activity.

Ben Sandham, Technogym UK Sales Director – Health, Corporate and Performance said “We are delighted to have signed this 4.5 year partnership with Scottish Student Sport as we continue to support the higher education sector with innovative solutions, knowledge, and support. Technogym have been working closely with universities across the country including University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, University of St. Andrews and Herriot Watt University. We are incredibly proud of the partnership, and look forward to working together.”

“The SSS network is delighted to be partnering with world-leading wellness solution provider and fitness equipment company Technogym.” Said Scottish Student Sport Chief Operating Officer Stew Fowlie, “We share many of the same values and have a joint ambition to engage college and university populations in high quality activity, unlocking the powers this has to enhance lives. Our new friends at Technogym have embraced the partnership and it is super to have a sense of momentum as we build towards next semester. We look forward very much to all the future possibilities and to working closely with Technogym over the next four years.”

As part of the partnership, Scottish Student Sport and Technogym will work collaboratively to host a series of insightful clinics. These clinics will provide SSS members with the latest knowledge on topics such as “Technology in Sport” and “Building Health and Wellbeing into Campus life,” fostering an environment where fitness practices and wellness techniques are embraced.

To mark the beginning of this partnership, SSS Sport and Active Health Coordinator, Ben Rowlings recently embarked on an exciting trip to the Technogym Wellness Village in Cesena, Italy. On his trip, Ben met with the Technogym experts to explore the latest developments and innovations and discussed how SSS can utilise this knowledge to better support our partners on their Active Health journey. You can read about Ben’s trip here.

Scottish Student Sport and Technogym are enthusiastic about the positive impact this partnership will have on the student community in Scotland. With the shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and active health, this collaboration is bound to redefine the student sports experience and inspire a healthier, more active lifestyle across campus.

About Technogym
Founded in 1983, Technogym is a world leader brand in fitness, wellness, sport, and health. Technogym provides a complete Ecosystem made of connected smart fitness equipment, digital services, and training content. Thanks to the open Mywellness CRM Platform people can connect to their personal training experience anywhere, both on Technogym equipment and mobile devices. With over 2,500 employees Technogym is present in over 100 countries. More than 85,000 Wellness centers and 400,000 private homes in the world are equipped with Technogym. Technogym has been appointed Official Supplier to the Paris 2024 Olympics for the ninth time, after Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Turin 2006, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Pyeongchang 2018, and Tokyo 2020.

For general enquiries please contact Technogym’s representative for Scotland:
Kerrie Donaghy
kdonaghy@technogym.com
07741901295

Scottish Student Sport is thrilled to announce the successful launch of the College Active Campus Network, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting health and well-being among students in higher education delivered in partnership with sportscotland and Colleges Scotland.

Funded by sportscotland, the £1.45m investment will strengthen the existing network of sport and physical activity staff already working within the college sector through the appointment of new Active Campus Coordinators.

Active Campus Coordinators will work to increase participation opportunities for students, with the first expected to be in post for the start of the academic year in August. It is anticipated that up to 18 Active Campus Coordinators will initially be appointed in colleges across the country. There is an aspiration that Active Campus Coordinators will be appointed in every Scottish college.

Central to the daily work of Active Campus Coordinators will be the creation of participation opportunities that improve the physical and mental wellbeing of students and staff. The innovative project will also further enhance the approach colleges take to creating high quality, effective work-based placements for sports students, helping equip them for potential future employment opportunities.

Details of the planned investment were confirmed at Scottish Student Sport’s 2023 Conference by Chief Executive of sportscotland Forbes Dunlop.

Read the full release from sportscotland by clicking here.