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History of the Sports Union
Stirling University Sports Union came in to existence in 1969, with the first Sports Union President being John Short. The Sports Union was an independent body until 1987 when it became part of Stirling University Students’ Association.
Stirling Sports Union has a history of successful members who have competed at a very high level in their chosen Sport. Many of these students have had this success while attending Stirling University and but have also had success after they have graduated. Our successes include: Commonwealth athletes in Swimming (Todd Cooper, Andrew Hunter, David O’Brien), Athletics (Andrew Lemoncello) and Hockey (Graham Moodie). Olympic athletes in Swimming (Todd Cooper, Andrew Hunter) and Hockey (Graham Moodie). Paralympic athletes in Swimming (Charlotte Henshaw). A bronze medallist in the European Junior Taekwondo Championships (Craig Eden), and a winner of the the US Amateur Golf Championships (Richie Ramsay).
Stirling has also had many of its athletes compete for Scottish Universities in sports such as Basketball, Football, Octopush and Hockey and compete in World University Games in sports such as Tennis, Golf, Taekwondo and Orienteering.
Since it first started in 1969, the Sports Union has rapidly become one of the biggest and best of its kind throughout Scotland and Britain. It was agreed by the first Secretary of the University (who also went on to become the first Director of Physical Recreation at the University) that its students should have available to them a wide choice of excellent sporting facilities. The annually awarded H.H. Donnelly Trophy for most outstanding Sports Union club recognises this commitment to sport by the Secretary.
Initially, the post of Sports Union President was a ‘semester only’ job but such has been the expansion of the Sports Union, the job is now a full time position in line with the rest of the Students Union Sabbaticals. Indeed, such is the size of the task, the Sports Union now employs a full-time Administrative Assistant to aid the President and the Executive with the day-to-day running of the office.
Over the years the number and types of clubs has changed but with over 40 clubs ranging from Athletics to Waterpolo via Octopush and Fencing, the Sports Union has always tried to provide for the needs of its members. The Sports Union has always been open to new clubs wanting to start and opportunities exist for new clubs to start up. In 2006 we started up a Skydiving club, Urban Dance club and Thai Boxing club, further increasing the diversity of the Sports Union!
Throughout the years, many of our members have achieved international honours and many have gone on to become World Champions in their selected sport. In 2004, the University of Stirling was proud to be represented by 5 athletes at the Athens Olympics. Todd Cooper and David O’Brien represented Great Britain in Swimming, Nick Neckles represented Barbados in swimming at his 3rd Olympics, Graham Moodie represented Great Britain’s Men’s Hockey team and Mhairi Love represented Great Britain in swimming at the Paralympics.
All those involved in sport at Stirling are very proud of the Sports Union and its achievements, in particular, the inclusive nature of its recreational clubs and the competitive performances of its clubs, teams and individuals. Some of the Union’s largest and most vibrant clubs are involved in recreational adventure pursuits, making the most of the unrivalled rivers, lochs and mountains which are so close to the campus.
For more information on the Sports Union please contact sports.union@stir.ac.uk or 01786 467199
