Sport & Active Your regular Sport & Active Wellbeing Update

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Staff Active Wellbeing Survey

Help us better understand the mental wellbeing of our university staff community and the impact of engaging with regular movement. The information gathered will help inform our future Active Health programme and service provision at the University.

Edinburgh Winter Run

Building on the success of the 2023 event the Edinburgh Winter Run returns on 20th January 2024 and University of Edinburgh students and staff can benefit from an exclusive discounted early-bird entry of only £15.

And, if you have already signed up we're running 30-45 minute social group sessions to help you stay on top of your running fitness.

Self-catering at Firbush

Video description: Video of self catered accommodation at Firbush showing small eco-pod cabins and larger spacious chalets.

Escape to Firbush this winter and enjoy stunning views of Loch in one of our new self catering lodges or pods.

Background image description: Image 1 of boat on Loch Tay at Firbush. Image 2 of towel hanging over spin bike handles. Image 3 of group in Edinburgh Sport t-shirts putting hands in centre of huddle. Image 4 of girl standing on top of Blackford Hill. Image 5 of two girls cheering while running during the Edinburgh Winter Run.

Get Active

Staff 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.

Workshops & free physical activity initiatives

We offer a number of specialist workshops and free physical activity initiatives for both staff, with regular activity running across three campuses on a weekly basis on Central Campus, at Kings Buildings & Easter Bush.

Pleasance Climbing Wall installs Auto Belays

We have just installed three auto-belays in our roped climbing wall meaning you don't need a partner to climb!

Resources available

We have a bank of resources that you can use to share the opportunities on offer to help keep your students and colleagues active.

Background image description: Image 1 of gym staff instructing member on equipment in Eric Liddell gym. Image 2 of 2 members on rowing equipment in MyGym smiling and talking. Image 3 of girl doing stretch during exercise class. Image 4 of weights. Image 5 of person running on treadmill. Image 6 of man on climbing wall.

News

Eric Liddell Refurbishment

University students and staff were joined by Sue Caton, Eric Liddell’s niece, and 2014 University of Edinburgh Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Eilidh Child, to cut the ribbon and officially open the refurbished Eric Liddell Gym.

Student Employment

The largest ever cohort of students have joined the Sport & Exercise team as part of our Student Employment programme for the 2023/24 academic year.

Intramural Sport grows for 2023

Following a successful year of Intramural sport in 2022/23 the IM programme grows for 2023/24, increasing opportunities for University of Edinburgh students to stay active and participate in sport at whilst at university.

Background image description: Image 1 of Scotland wheelchair rugby in sports hall. Image 2 of ribbon cutting for the Eric Liddell gym refurbishment. Image 3 of Intramural basketball team. Image 4 of gym wall with text open to everybody. Image 5 of Claire Cruikshank, Head of Performance Ladies Rugby. Image 6 of gym team in Eric Liddell gym. Image 7 of students volunteering in Zambia. Image 8 of student employee in graduation gown and Sport & Exercise uniform.

Celebrating Success

Swim programme 15 year anniversary

The University of Edinburgh Performance Swimming Programme is celebrating 15 years of success as the programme continues to develop world-class student athletes.

University coach wins 2023 Principals Medal

Claire Cruikshank, Head of Women’s Rugby, is being recognised for her impact on women’s rugby both at the University and on the international stage through her external coaching roles.

Sport Scholars

This year The University of Edinburgh Sport is proud to be supporting 22 talented athletes across a wide range of sports through the Sport Scholar programme.

The University of Edinburgh Sport Scholar programme has a commitment to the development of Performance Sport and offers essential sporting and academic support for student athletes who are committed to succeeding on the international stage.

University Club President wins British Gymnastics Young Person of the Year

Edinburgh University Gymnastics Club President, Aaron Walker, was presented the 2023 British Gymnastics Young Person of the Year earlier this Semester. The award recognises Aaron’s selfless dedication to both Edinburgh University Gymnastics Club and the wider sporting community.

Students complete extraordinary cycle for Movember

Earlier this month, in a remarkable display of determination and camaraderie, eight members of the Edinburgh University Cycling Club completed a gruelling 668km cycle from London to Edinburgh, raising an impressive £5,000 for the Movember Foundation.

Shorts

• Kara Hanlon (MSC(ICL) Sport Policy, Management and International Development) has broken her Scottish National Swimming Short Course Record in the 50m Breaststroke twice in the last month. Her 30.28 brings her ever close to sub 30!
• Megan Keith (Applied Sport Science) took Gold at the National Cross Country Relays earlier in the Semester and won the Liverpool Cross Challenge by almost a minute to claim a spot at the upcoming European Cross Country Championship.
• Students Ellen Buckley and Mhairi Mclaughlin, members of the University Women’s Fencing 1st Team, made up half of the 4-strong Women’s Foil Team were that defeated England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Ireland to win their discipline at the 2023 5-Nations
• 1st year Sport Scholar Isla Hedley (Landscape Architecture) won the Young Sportswoman of the Year award at the 2023 Scottish Women in Sport Awards.
• 2014 Hall of Fame inductee Eilidh Doyle won this Pioneer in Sport award at the 2023 Scottish Women in Sport Awards.

Background image description: Image 1 of student surfing in BUCS competition. Image 2 of Performance women's basketball team in huddle. Image 3 of Ladies performance rugby team in scrum versus Loughborough. Image 4 of swimmer doing butterfly stroke. Image 5 of Megan Keith running as part of Team GB. Image 6 of men's performance hockey team celebrating goal. Image 7 of person in intramural team kit.

Highlights reel

The 2023 Men's Scottish Varsity Rugby Match and 2023 Women's Rugby Focus Fixture

In September EURFC reclaimed the Scottish Varsity trophy, in what is believed to the oldest Varsity Match in the world, against St Andrews. In a close fought match the Edinburgh team held out for a 32-29 victory. The Steven Sims Man of the Match was awarded to EURFC's Hugo Flinn.

And more recently, EULRFC secured a magnificent 17-12 victory against Loughborough University to secure a win in our BUCS Premier League focus fixture. The player of the match trophy awarded in memory of former Sport & Exercise colleague, Keri Holdsworth who lost her life in a car accident was awarded to captain and #9 Rhea Clarke.

Description of background image: Image 1 of back of rugby shirt number 11. Image 2 of rugby player holding hands with child during walk out onto pitch. Image 3 of mens rugby 1XV and mixed touch rugby team with Scottish Varsity trophies. Image 4 of ladies rugby player passing ball. Image 5 of focus fixture player of the match Rhea Clarke with family of Keri Holdsworth. Image 6 of ladies rugby 1XV hugging and celebrating.

The festive schedule

Festive opening hours for all Sport & Exercise facilities are now available

Sport & Exercise Festive Film - date for your diary! - The 4th Sport & Exercise Festive Film will be released on Tuesday 12 December - keep an eye out! In the meantime, and to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Elf hitting the big screens here's a reminder of our 2022 festive film...

We've also got a whole host of Festive Activity taking place during December. Visit our Festive Information Hub to find out more.

Background image description: Image 1 of Christmas baubles on tree. Image 2 of Heather Binnington presenting at the Sport & Exercise Festive conference. Image 3 clapper board on set of the 2023 festive film. Image 4 of members of staff at 2022 Festive Conference.