Wednesday 20 May 2009
A new generation of Scotland’s talented young sports stars have been offered scholarships at university or college as part of the Winning Students network, an initiative which aims to put Scotland’s sporting talent on the world stage.
It means a boost for the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Swimming and Scottish Hockey, with the first students being awarded Winning Students scholarships, backed by the Scottish Funding Council.
One of the most exciting developments is the establishment by the Scottish FA of a national women’s football academy based at the University of Stirling, which is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
Among the first recruits to the academy are footballers Lisa Evans and Christie Murray, who will take up scholarships in the autumn. They are both Scotland youth internationals, and are among 12 of Scotland’s best young female players who will combine higher or further education with football at the national academy. Scotland hockey international Nikki Kidd has also been given a Winning Students award, as has Scotland swimmer Jonathan Greig.
Speaking today, Professor Grant Jarvie, Deputy Principal of the University of Stirling, said: “Education and sport have always been attractive ways of helping people progress in life. The development of Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence at Stirling is further recognition of the part that Higher Education has to play in sport at all levels.
“Sport and education can make a unique contribution to developing people, raising aspirations. In conjunction with our partners in other universities and colleges throughout Scotland, the University of Stirling will help to develop a network of outlets for students in selected sports. The network will play a key role in combining sport with education to help talented sporting students fulfil their potential. The first three sports in the Winning Students network are hockey, swimming and women’s football, and I am confident there will be more to follow.”
Launching the football academy, Gordon Smith, Chief Executive of the Scottish FA, said: “The creation of a national women’s football academy is an extremely exciting and bold venture for Scotland. The facilities and staff at Stirling are outstanding and will help to take our national team to a higher level by providing the best possible coaching and sports science professionals. This will be an environment that will bring out the best in everyone.
“Women's football is the fastest growing sport in the UK and the academy will be at the forefront of continuing this new and exciting era for our players and staff in Scotland. Together with Scottish Hockey and Scottish Swimming, the Scottish FA will reap the benefits of this venture for years to come."
Commenting on the announcement, Mike Whittingham, sportscotland Director of High Performance added: “The sportscotland institute of sport welcomes this initiative which will make a real difference to a number of our top athletes looking to combine a university education with sports performance at the highest level.
“This scheme helps to give Scotland parity with other parts of the UK, where athletes have benefited from similar initiatives over recent years. It is a fantastic opportunity for Scottish athletes to learn train and live in Scotland.”
Picture: Winning Students come to Stirling. From left: Christie Murray (football), Anna Signeul (Scotland women's coach), Lisa Evans (football), Professor Grant Jarvie (Deputy Principal), Nikki Kidd (hockey), Gordon Smith (SFA), Jonathan Greig (swimming).
Background information
The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC) announced earlier this year that it would invest £1 million in helping sports students with potential to reach the top of their sport. For details, see