Sporty Students Showcase Talents in First National Championships

21st March 2009

Inverness College UHI took part in the first Scotland�s Colleges Sport National Championships, hosted by Adam Smith College on Wednesday 4th March. Thirty Inverness College UHI students from a variety of classes including NQ Physical Education and Sports Studies, HNC Health, Fitness and Exercise and NQ Engineering, took part in the event. The event showcased the most up-and-coming sporting talent from 10 colleges across the nation and Inverness College UHI successfully received a silver medal for the men�s rugby.

The event brought together the finest athletes from Scotland�s Colleges, with over 500 students competing in six different sports. All sports saw males and females compete in rugby, football, basketball, badminton, volleyball and cross country running over three Fife venues. Scotland�s Colleges Sport and Adam Smith College also ran a golf tournament, in conjunction with British Colleges Sport, for 78 students throughout England, Scotland and Wales at the prestigious Fairmont Golf Club in St Andrews on the same day.

The winners of each sport in the Scottish National Championships now have the opportunity to compete for the first time at the British College National Championships in Loughborough in April 2009. This will be televised on Sky Sports, where the prestigious Wilkinson Sword will be awarded to the most successful region.

James Shields, Scotland�s Colleges Sport (SCS) Founder, National Championship Organiser, and SCS Secretary, said, �It is a fantastic achievement for Adam Smith to have hosted the Championships and to be able to provide, through SCS, improved accessibility to competitive sport in Scotland�s Colleges.

�The event signifies not only a move to increased participation in sport, where previously there was nothing for colleges, but also the possibility to develop athletes for the future.�

Dr Craig Thomson, Principal of Adam Smith College officially launched the event and pledged the support of Scotland�s Colleges. Brian Lister, Principal from Stevenson College Edinburgh, congratulated Adam Smith College on bringing together so many students to compete in the event. He said, �Students here at the College should be proud of Adam Smith and the commitment the staff have shown to bring this terrific event together. Staff within all our colleges are committed to the objectives of Scotland�s College Sport and recognise the exciting opportunities this will create for the future.

�This event provides the opportunity for students not only to compete but to build partnerships with students from other colleges throughout Scotland and I am delighted to be involved. Stevenson College is already planning to host a follow-on event later this year.�