Photocall – Monday, 30th October 7:00 p.m.

The University will celebrate new advances in its sporting programme as it announces its Millennium winners of sports bursaries on Monday, 30th October at a reception in the University’s newly refurbished sports centre, attended by student athletes as well as elite local athletes who train at the University.

Winners of this year’s student sports bursaries at the University are: Eleanor Reid (Triathlon, Running, Swimming), Euan Liddle (Table Tennis), Katrina Treon (Squash), Nicola Dinsmore (Rowing), Andrew Jameson (Swimming), Niall Cameron (Table Tennis), Mark Sanderson (Orienteering), and Duncan Martin (Golf).

Winners of sports bursaries will be helped to fulfil their dreams with free access to the University sports facilities, on-the-spot advice on performance, support sessions in areas such as relaxation, nutrition and time management, as well as financial support for competition and sporting expenditure. A similar scheme operates for talented golfers, which is endowed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

This year, the University has been recognised as a recommended strength and conditioning centre for elite athletes by the Scottish Institute of Sport. Athletes who train at the University include Hockey Internationalists Phil Webster, Callum Wood, and Tracey Robb, International Triathlete Stephanie Forrester, and Rugby Internationalists Andrew Wilson and Stuart Noble (all of Aberdeen), who have also been invited to the reception.

Dr Fraser McGlynn, Director of Sport & Recreation Service, said: “The University is at the forefront of sports science support: the nutrition, the psychology, and the whole package that goes behind the training and preparation for performance. Our programme attracts elite sportspeople as well as individuals wishing to study sports related courses.”

Jan Griffiths, Assistant Director of Sport & Recreation Services and Honorary Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, and Donald Pirie, Teaching Assistant, Sport & Recreation Services and Honorary Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, have both been approved by the Scottish Institute of Sport as strength and conditioning coaches for their elite athletes.

The student sports bursaries were initiated during the University’s Quincentenary from funds raised by the Munro Team Challenge.

Photocall Details: Winners of the Student Sports Bursary Awards and Scottish Institute of Sport athletes will be available for interview and photos in the Callahan Room in the newly-refurbished King’s Pavilion sports facility next to the playing fields, King’s College, Old Aberdeen at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30th.

Further Information: Dr Fraser McGlynn, Director of Sport & Recreation Service, Tel. (01224) 272313

University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.