Wednesday 18th October 2023
STAFF UPDATE | Canoe Ace Eilidh Gibson Joins SSS
Scottish Canoe Ace Eilidh Gibson joins SSS as our new Inclusion and Culture Coordinator. Find out more about Eilidh by reading on.

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:
- 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
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- Ham and Pineapple on Pizza, yes or no?
100% yes
Eilidh can be reached at eilidhgibson@scottishstudentsport.com.
Photo credit – Kim Jones
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