Meet our New Events Coordinator

Well the rumours are true. Our new Events Coordinator is here and we are delighted to welcome Rowan Johnston to the team!

Rowan started with us on Monday and kindly gave us some time to answer a few questions…

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

“Thank you! Student sport was such a big part of my time at university, so I’m really looking forward to giving back and getting stuck in. Plus getting to work with the 28 different sports is such a unique opportunity, so looking forward to getting to dive into them all in some way.”

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

“I studied Sports Studies at the University of Stirling for my undergrad, and then at the University of Edinburgh for my masters in Sport Policy, Management and International Development. I played volleyball at Stirling in BUCS Division 1, where I was President in my final year. At Edinburgh I played volleyball where we could – Covid meant no BUCS competitions, so there was lots of grass and beach volleyball instead.”

What have you been doing since your studies wrapped up?

“I worked retail the whole time I was at university and kept that up for another 6 months after I graduated. My first job was as the Competitions and Events Officer at Scottish Volleyball where I worked for 3.5 years, before moving to Deep Dish and UK Beach Tour as an Events Manager for Beach Volleyball for just over a year.”

You’re no stranger to 48 Pleasance having previously been with our downstairs neighbours Scottish Volleyball. How are you finding the extra flight of stairs?

“Thankfully there’s only a few extra steps to take me up to the SSS floor so it’s not been too bad on the legs so far! It’s nice to be back in the building with the Edinburgh University Sports Union, SV and SSS, plus the view from the top floor is the best by far.”

You’re going from a single sport organisation to one looking after 28 sports. What sports/events are you most excited to get stuck into?

“Athletics is one of them, especially as there’s so many different disciplines to choose from! And then next is probably trampolining, I think it’s such a fun one to watch with all the twists and turns.”

What’s a fact not many people know about you?

“I try to give blood as often as I can – I’ve donated 28 times!”

Do you have a standout sporting memory?

“I ran the BUCS Beach Volleyball Championships in Bournemouth this year – having more than 200 teams competing over 2 days was really cool to witness even if it did rain both days.

“I’m also a volleyball official and refereed at my first international tournament this year, at a U18 European Qualifier in Dublin.”

What is your ideal holiday destination?

“I try to go to Italy every year with my friends – pasta, pizza, gelato and sun, what else could you need in life?”

Maybe your last answer gives this one away… Pineapple on pizza – yay or nay?

“Absolutely not! A good margarita with extra cheese is the best choice.”

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We’re delighted to have Rowan with us and she is quickly settling into life (back) at 48 Pleasance.

If you’d like to get in contact and introduce yourself, you can do at rowan@scottishstudentsport.com. Whilst our events@scottishstudentsport.com mailbox remains live, please begin directing any queries to Rowan directly.

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