Scottish Student Sport

Relive the Night 📸

One week on, check out the best photos from the Scottish Student Sport Awards, courtesy of Lightbox St Andrews

Head to our bio for the full album.

Conference Complete 🎉

From uncovering sport’s strategic potential with Prof Susan Brown, PhD, to closing the day with a blind football demonstration from England Captain Samantha Gough, Day 2 had plenty to savour.

Thank you to every member, partner and speaker who made SSS Conference 2026 in St. Andrews what it was.

The full photo album from both days is here 👇

We Have our Winners 🙌

What a night at Hotel du Vin as we celebrated the 2026 Scottish Student Sport Awards!

Recognising athletes, coaches, clubs and volunteers who have made a significant impact this season, a total of 10 awards were handed out at the showcase event.

Find out who won on the night: Link in bio

Conference Day 1 ✅

A full day of breakout sessions, mentor speed-dating and even a golden volleyball - SSS Conference 2026 has it all.

But the best part is the collaborative buzz that has carried through every conversation across our members and partners.

Awards tonight, then we’re back for Day 2 🙌

Volunteer of the Year 🏆

Four incredible volunteers are in the running for our final award! Who will be named Volunteer of the Year at the Scottish Student Sport Awards tomorrow night?

Madeleine Bell – VP Inclusion
 
Across two consecutive EUSU Executive Committee roles and multiple senior positions in Edinburgh University Karate, Madi has driven meaningful progress in inclusion across university sport.
 
She created a gender eligibility database for clubs, delivered EUSU’s first Pride Sports Day, established annual LGBT+ self-defence sessions, and contributed to the Code of Conduct redesign — consistently recognised for proactive leadership across clubs and committees.
 
Finlay MacCallum – Climbimg
 
Balancing his final year of Paramedicine with the RGU Climbing presidency, Finlay helped deliver the club’s most successful year — earning RGU Club of the Year and his own RGU Volunteer of the Year award.
 
He secured £2,000 in equipment funding, grew membership by 35%, and shifted the club’s identity toward an outdoor-focused programme.
 
Sibylle Reboul – Rugby
 
Sibylle captained the St Andrews 2XV this season, driving development through extra training and conditioning sessions that contributed to the side’s first ever victory after three years.
 
Even while injured she kept coaching beginners, and her community impact extends further through weekly volunteering with Families First and her role as Youth Project Officer with St Andrews Voluntary Service.

Ethan Thomson – Basketball
 
At just 18, Ethan founded NESCOL’s first basketball club from scratch as an unpaid Student Leader, scaling it to 30+ weekly attendees within a single term.
 
He secured external facilities, coordinated kit, and built a model for student activity development that has since influenced the Student Association’s extracurricular strategy across a 20,000-student cohort.

Drum roll please… 🥁
 
Introducing the final SSS Medal Table for 25/26!
 
The headlines:
A total of 1,012 medals were awarded
🥇Edinburgh top the table again, with 30 more medals than last season
🥇City of Glasgow double last year’s tally to top the College standings
🥇Aberdeen rise from 6th to 3rd, thanks to an additional 19 gold medals
 
Congratulations to every single medallist this year 🙌

Thank You Sabbs 👋

Friday was a sad one as we said farewell to the 25/26 Sabbatical Officers - a group who brought energy, insight and enthusiasm in abundance throughout the year.

Their final Sabb Forum saw the incoming group join to celebrate their achievements, and prepare to take on the baton. But not before the outgoing Sabbs claimed victory in the inaugural Outgoing v Incoming netball match!

Thank you to each and every one of you. We’ve a feeling we haven’t seen the last of you…

Club of the Year 🏆

Introducing the clubs vying out for Scottish Student Sport Club of the Year

University of Aberdeen Weightlifting

AUSA’s 2026 Club of the Year have grown rapidly in recent years, with a 300% increase in female participation and stronger emphasis on retention of beginners into competitive and recreational pathways.

These clear pathways have ensured athletes at every level are supported, with additional opportunities for female-only and beginner sessions while performance athletes have enjoyed plenty of success at Scottish and British student championships.

Aiming to widen participation, the club regularly collaborate with other clubs to support their S&C offering, breaking down barriers between sports. Active community links too are providing opportunities for members with discounts, seminars and mentorship.

University of Glasgow Ski and Snowboard Club

GUSSC’s 9th consecutive wins at SUDS and BUDS barely scratches the surface of this club’s achievements.

This year the club have focused on inclusivity in all areas, from hosting a free women’s-only session (150+ participants), to low cost beginners sessions and an expanded free equipment hire programme.

This year’s ski trip sold out in just 20 seconds with 717 participants joining with the club including carbon offsetting initiatives as part of their wider sustainability drive.



University of St Andrews Tennis Club

Saints Tennis continue to be one of Scotland’s leading tennis clubs. Membership this year sits at 579 - a 45% increase since 2023.

While enjoying plenty of success on the court - including claiming three SSS titles - the club is a hive of activity delivering 25 recreational and 21 competitive sessions each week, plus match play.

Their commitment to the community supports junior and inclusive tennis sessions, helping develop their 18-strong coaching team.

Male Athlete of the Year 🏆
 
Three outstanding students are in the running for Male Athlete of the Year! Who will win at the Scottish Student Sport Awards next Wednesday?

Neil Simpson – University of Aberdeen Snowsports
 
Skier Neil, competing alongside guide Rob Poth, made his name by winning Silver in the Alpine Men’s Super-Combined at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics - Team GB’s first medal of the event. The result built on his bronze in the same event at Beijing 2022.
 
Later in the games, Neil highlighted his world-class credentials, recording fourth place finishes in the Super-G and Downhill events; the latter competing alongside guide and brother Andrew Simpson.
 
Barney Stewart - Heriot-Watt University Football

Since stepping up from BUCS football, Barney’s rise through the game has been remarkable. Within 18 months he has established himself as one of the most exciting young strikers in the Scottish Premiership for Falkirk.
 
This season the former Queens Park Shield winner has netted 8 Premiership goals in 14 appearances (plus 6 in 11 on loan at Dunfermline). His hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Hibernian helped secure Falkirk a top-six finish, and Barney the league’s Player of the Month award for March. Barney was also nominated for SPFL Young Player of the Year.
 
Judd Sundelson – University of St Andrews Golf

Golfer Judd has had an outstanding season. His victory at the South African Amateur Championship has been widely regarded as the biggest from a current Saints student golfer in the club’s history, paving the way for opportunities on the professional tour.
 
This season included a runner-up finish in a pro event while Judd competed at the South African Open on the DP World Tour. Closer to home, Judd added a third-place finish at the R&A Student Tour Series event in Portugal and previously won the Series’ Order of Merit.

This could be you

Today we’ve opened recruitment for the next wave of SSS Sports Group Volunteers.

You could lead the group as Chair, build club relationships as Vice-Chair, or take responsibility for Competitions, Development or Communications.

If you want to support the student experience in your sport, we want to hear from you. Roles are live now across 11 sports, with more to follow this month.

Find your role - link in bio