SUS Competitions Committee

SUS Competitions Committee: delivering competitive sporting opportunities.

The delivery of quality sporting programmes to students is a key objective of SUS. The 35 SUS Sports are delivered on the ground by specialist Sports Development Co-ordinators, all of them knowledgeable within their chosen sport and with the necessary expertise to deliver their particular sporting programme to a high level. The work of these key volunteers is complimented by SUS's wide ranging network of institutional contacts, not least Sports Union and Athletic Union Presidents (or their equivalents), who ensure each University's sportsmen and women are kept abreast of the latest news and information. The SUS Sports Manager oversees the delivery of the sporting programme, against policy decisions set down by the SUS Competitions Committee.

The Competitions Committee is comprised of both departmental and student representatives, with an SDC in attendance, and is elected annually. The role and remit of the Competitions Committee includes SUS's inter-university sports programmes, sports bursaries and scholarships, sports development, coaching, and liaison with Scottish Sports Governing Bodies. In its first year of operation, the Committee has conducted a full review of the current competitive programme, formulated a 41 point plan to improve the provision of competitive sport in Scottish Universities, and is currently working on the delivery of these objectives.

Priority tasks include providing a clear athlete pathway from beginner to world class level, giving greater support and training to volunteers (from University Club Officials to SDCs), increasing the number of students getting involved with coaching and officiating initiatives, ensuring an appropriate balance and range of activities in the inter-University competitive season, and the extension of intra-mural sporting opportunities to ensure increased participation across the sector.

For more information, please contact the SUS Office or Mark Ritchie, Chair of the SUS Competitions Committee, on m.j.ritchie@hw.ac.uk.