A History of Scottish Universities Sport

Scottish Universities Sport was formed in Dundee in June 2005, and marked the coming together of the two previous governing bodies for Sport in Scottish Universities. Previously, the Scottish Universities Sports Federation (SUSF), had represented the Sports and Athletic Unions of 14 Scottish Universities and dealt largely with competitive and representative sports, and the Scottish Universities Physical Education Association (SUPEA), had represented the Sport and Exercise Departments of these Universities, and dealt largely with professional development, policy, and the sharing of departmental policy.

Following the Lyle Report into the provision of student sport in Scottish Universities in 2001, an audit of the sector was completed ('Audit of Sports Provision in the Higher Education Sector in Scotland', sportscotland 2003) and a working group established to examine both the contribution which Scottish Universities made to the wider sporting landscape in Scotland, and the value of this contribution. 'A Working Group on Sport in Higher Education Summary Report' (sportscotland 2003) identified a number of recommendations and helped to crystallise an agreed future direction for the sector. These recommendations included the formation of a new, innovative and responsive representative structure for all interest groups within the sector. Importantly, this improved governance would allow for a better service to Universities and the communities around them, but would also help to contribute towards delivering aspects of the Scottish National Sports Strategy, Sport 21, and its vision of a fitter, healthier, sportier and more competitively successful Scotland.

With detailed consultation, and with assistance from all interested parties, the formation of SUS was thrashed out over two years by SHEIG (Scottish Higher Education Implementation Group) in close consultation with both SUPEA and SUSF, under the Chairmanship of Jim Aitken, Director of Sport at the University of Edinburgh.

By Summer 2005, both SUSF and SUPEA were ready to disband, and to adopt the new SUS Constitution at the first Annual General Meeting of the new body. Jim Aitken was nominated as the first Chair of the new organisation, and charged with bringing SHEIG's vision of SUS to life.

The first full year of SUS was inevitably marked by a number of internal set-up issues, including membership contributions and finances, office location and staffing, and branding and internal administration. Financial support was forthcoming from other key partners in the sector, including the organisation previously known as the British Universities Sports Association and now British Universities and Colleges Sport and sportscotland, and membership contributions were agreed. An exciting and distinctive new brand for the organisation was created, and internal administrative procedures agreed and brought on-line. Office space was provided at The University of Edinburgh. However, the most significant difference to the development of SUS and its members was the introduction of two members of staff in Spring 2006, in the shape of Stewart Fowlie as Sports Manager and Jacqui Stone as Executive Officer.

Now an established sports organisation with the appropriate action plans and support in place, SUS is making major inroads into the organisation of sports and physical activity provision, and professional development, within Scottish HE, and is set to make further leaps and bounds in the years ahead.