Recent sporting success a sign of things to come – Heriot-Watt University
Members of the men’s squash team alongside Commonwealth Games medalist Donna Lobban, head squash coach at Oriam.
It’s been a triumphant time for the Heriot-Watt sports teams lately.
The men’s premier football team has stormed their league table to claim the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Scottish 1A League title. This is the first time in 16 years that the university has held the honor and is now qualifying for the playoffs to enter the BUCS Premier Tier at the end of March.
That success was quickly followed by the premier men’s squash team, securing a clean win over Warwick in the Quarterfinals of the BUCS Men’s National Championship. They now meet Birmingham in the semi-finals later this month.
This bodes well for the future and I look forward to further achievements in the years to come.
Success on the pitch has been attributed in part to Heriot-Watt’s increasing presence in competitive sports in partnership with Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre. The introduction of specialist sports courses and scholarships in the last year means that students are already benefiting from the excellent facilities that allow them to pursue a degree whilst improving their athletic ability.
Ross Campbell, Executive Director of Oriam, said: “I am delighted to recognize the recent achievements of two outstanding sports teams. The dedication, hard work and determination of these athletes serves as an inspiration for all who seek to excel in their respective fields.
“This is a sign for the future and I look forward to further successes in the years to come. They have proven that with hard work, dedication and a winning attitude, anything is possible. Their achievements are a reminder that excellence is achievable in any field and I congratulate them.”
sports scholarships
The University and Oriam offer an annual sports scholarship program that aims to embed a high-performance training environment into the weekly schedule of sports scientists from the Heriot-Watt Edinburgh campus.
The Club Performance Scholarships program offers students opportunities to study at Heriot-Watt University while receiving professional support to advance in either football or squash. In addition to access to world-class training facilities, grant recipients of this program receive a 40% discount on their university fees. The scholarships are initially limited to 12 months and can be extended to the entire study period depending on performance.
There are also individual athletic scholarships for those who do not compete in football or squash. Successful applicants gain access to the same broad range of support offered by the Club Performance Scholarships, but it works through a two-tier system. Level 1 Scholars are required to compete at a professional or international level before the course begins and receive a 25% discount on their university fees.
Level 2 students are typically younger and as part of their application process must provide written confirmation from their sport’s national governing body that they are likely to reach a professional level.
For more information or to apply for an athletic scholarship with Oriam, visit the website.