Welcome
Happy new year! We hope you've had a great start to 2024.
In this edition of Sport & Active we bring you news of an exciting new partnership with Edinburgh Rugby, showcase some of ways we can help you get active this year, announce the 39th annual University of Edinburgh Dance Performance, showcase some recent successes and share a roundup of the latest news from across the world of sport and active health at Edinburgh.
All the very best!
Mark Munro, Director of Sport & Active Health
This Month's Feature
🏉 Edinburgh Rugby Partnership 🏉
The capital’s rugby pathway for delivering success is being given a huge boost as the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Rugby form a new strategic partnership.
The foundations of the new deal are built on sporting collaboration, which will see the us working closely together on player recruitment, development, education, and coaching, and to enhance our rugby programme.
The partnership also will offer Edinburgh Rugby access to the University’s world class training facilities, equipment, and support services and will extend off the field, with expertise available on both sides to support in the areas of teaching, volunteer experiences, match day experiences, as well as placement and internship opportunities.
We’re delighted with this new relationship which connects two of Edinburgh’s most successful institutions in a meaningful strategic partnership. We’re excited to work with Edinburgh Rugby to enhance the quality of our rugby programme and build and broaden our international sporting reputation - Professor Sir Peter Mathieson
Get Active
🤸 New Staff only group exercise classes at the Pleasance
We're delighted that during Semester 2 we are trialling a new staff-only exercise class offer. The pilot includes three 30 minute lunchtime classes, Body Conditioning on Tuesdays, Stretch & Destress on Wednesdays and Spin on Thursdays.
The classes are free for Sport & Exercise gym members or £6 for non-members (payable at reception on arrival). All sessions can be booked up to two weeks in advance online through MyEd.
🏋️ Staff gym memberships
We have a range of flexible and affordable membership packages for University of Edinburgh staff starting at only £23 a month, which all include access to Gyms at the Pleasance and Easter Bush, over 100 exercise classes a week and the swimming pool at St Leonard's Land.
And, if you'd like a tour of what we have to offer before committing to a membership you can book onto one of our free welcome walk rounds.
🚶 Feel good walks
Our feel good walks are an opportunity to meet like-minded people, feel part of a community and stay connected. Our small group walks are led by experienced and wonderful walk leaders. Meeting up with others for a walk and a talk can do wonders for our physical, mental and social health. Walks are available at Central Campus and Kings Buildings.
🏃 Run for fun
Join our Active Lives team for a weekly run session to meet like-minded people, stretch your legs, and build some activity into your day. Routes and distances vary each week, and each session suits the group's ability. Social runs are taking place at Kings Buildings, Easter Bush and Central Campus.
🏸 Just Play Sport Sessions
Looking for a fun and exciting way to stay active this year? Why not try a new sport? Choose from badminton, basketball, bouldering, football, pickleball or table tennis and our experienced coaches will help you improve your skills and technique.
❤️ FASIC Sport & Exercise Medicine Clinic
The University's Sport & Exercise Clinic, FASIC, offer discounted rates for University of Edinburgh staff. Our team of specialists will work with you to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage your injury, restoring function and performance to ensure you are at your best, every day.
🏔️ Firbush Winter Skills Weekend
Want to take your hill walking to the next level and take on a challenging winter mountain adventure with a qualified and experienced mountain leader? Then sign up for the 2 day course from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 March 2024.
Join in
💃 The 39th Annual University of Edinburgh Dance Performance 💃
We are excited to announce the University's 39th annual Dance Performance which will take place on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 March 2024 at the Pleasance Theatre from 7.30pm (doors at 7pm).
This event is open to everybody, so join us to be part of this proud tradition and experience a remarkable showcase of our talented students' dance performances.
Tickets are only £13.00 (£10.00 for students) and are available now.
News
🎄 Cards for Care Homes
Over the festive season Students and staff from across the University came together to write and deliver 2000 Christmas cards to Care Home residents around Edinburgh.
🏎️ Performance Physiotherapy in the Fast Lane
Head of Performance Physiotherapy, Tracy McAdam has returned to her post after spending the second half of the Formula 1 season with the Mercedes team.
The opportunity, which was part of the consultancy agreement between The University’s Sport & Exercise Clinic, FASIC and Hintsa, one of the world leaders in provision of high performance coaching and support staff, saw Tracy take on the role of lead physiotherapist for the team, including involvement in pitstop analysis, injury prevention, acute injury management and maintenance.
🏃 Edinburgh Winter Run
The Edinburgh Winter Run took place on Saturday 20th January, transforming Holyrood Park into a vibrant sea of runners.
With over 500 staff and students from the University of Edinburgh taking part, this annual event has become a hallmark of the winter season, bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds to share in the joy of running and fostering a sense of community.
Story to be added once published w/c 22nd
🏌️ Sport & Exercise leads the way in professional Golf
The University of Edinburgh continues to excel as global leaders in elite and professional golf as Professor Dr. Andrew Murray, who is a consultant for sport and exercise medicine at The University's Sport & Exercise Clinic, FASIC, continues his sixth year as Chief Medical and Scientific Officer across global golf tours.
Celebrating Success
🥇 Megan Keith crowned U23 European Cross Country Champion at the 2023 SPAR European Cross Country Championships
Sport Scholar and Sport Science student Megan Keith impressed once again on the European stage representing Great Britain in the U23 race. From the outset Keith took a confident lead building her momentum on every lap of the challenging course. Crossing the finish line with a time of 25 minutes and 32 seconds, recording a record winning margin of 1 minute 23 seconds, more than double the previous best across championship history. Megan followed up her win in Brussels achieving a Euro 23 10k Road Record in Valencia.
🏆 Sports Ball Award Winners
On Thursday 25 January over 1900 University of Edinburgh students celebrated the extraordinary achievements of our sporting community at the 2024 Edinburgh University Sports Union Sports Ball.
Award Winners ⤵️
🏆 1st year Athlete of the Year - Amelia Tyler
🏆 Participation Award - Volleyball
🏆 Alumni Award - Swimming and Water Polo
🏆 IM Committee Award - Spansoc
🏆 Most improved club - Handball
🏆 Services to Sport - Aaron Walker, Chiam Jane Yi, Megan Leishman, Natalie Bell, Philine Rouwers, Sarah Denholm, Thomas Aarheim, Thomas Busby
🏆 Volunteer of the Year - Lauren Benseman
🏆 Publicity Award - Women’s Football
🏆 IM team of the Year - Engineers RFC
🏆 Team of the Year - Orienteering Girls Team
🏆 Female Athlete of the Year - Kara Hanlon
🏆 Male Athlete of the Year - Charlie Aldridge
🏆 Club of the Year - Basketball
Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees
🏅 Other notable success!
- 5 current and former members of Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club were selected for Scottish Hockey Mens Training Camp
- 11 current and former Edinburgh University Ladies Rugby Club players were selected for new Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors Women's teams. Head of Performance Rugby (ladies), Claire Cruikshank, was also appointed Head Coach of the Edinburgh team.
- Students Owen Gould and Farhan Khan were selected for the Scottish Cricket World Cup squad.
- Student Isla Britton was awarded Youth Coach of the Year by Scottish Triathlon and Associated Athlete Stephen Clegg won Para Athlete of the Year at the Scottish Swimming Awards.
- Sport Scholar (and Sports Hall of Fame Inductee) Grace Reid won gold in the 1m and 3m events at the British Diving National Cup
Keep in the know
The latest news
Find out more
You can find out more about all the opportunities we have for you (and your student communities) to get active at ed.ac.uk/sport