The University of Edinburgh shines at SSS Conference and Awards

The University of Edinburgh was proudly shortlisted in four award categories, reflecting the exceptional talent, commitment and impact of our athletes, coaches and teams. We were honoured to take home one prestigious award on the night, as swimmer Archie Goodburn was named Male Athlete of the Year – a powerful recognition of his resilience and sporting excellence. 

Scottish Student Sport Awards

Male Athlete of the Year – Archie Goodburn (Swimming)

After narrowly missing Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 by just 0.56 seconds, Archie was diagnosed with an inoperable and incurable form of progressive brain cancer. Undeterred, he returned to the pool and in February, defended his BUCS Long Course 50m breaststroke title. Two months later, he made national headlines after winning silver in the same event at the British Championships. He continues to represent the very best of sport; a true inspiration to the community. 

Shortlisted Finalists – A Testament to Excellence

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our outstanding finalists, whose nominations alone speak volumes about their achievement and impact:

Female Athlete of the Year – Aleksandra Kalucka (Climbing)

Olympic bronze medallist, top-five world ranking, and an active mentor to the Scottish climbing community. Aleksandra’s performance and leadership are exceptional.

Coach of the Year – Neil Allan (Men’s Hockey)

Neil transformed the Men’s Hockey programme in just one season, guiding the team to multiple titles and an unbeaten league run. His 1-to-1 approach and leadership have set a new benchmark for coaching excellence.

Team of the Year – Men’s Hockey 1s

The Men’s Hockey 1s went undefeated in BUCS Premier North, won the BUCS National Vase Champions, earned promotion to BUCS National Premier for 25/26 and became the first ever student side to win the Scottish Cup. 

Staff Contributions at the SSS Conference

In addition to the awards, three members of the University of Edinburgh staff presented at the SSS Conference. Their contributions to the professional development and wider conversation around student sport reflect the University’s leadership in shaping the future of sport in higher education.

Shaping the Future of Student Sport

Katherine Duncan, Head of Active Wellbeing at the University of Edinburgh and SSS Development Chair, joined SSS Head of Development Jordan Dawson on the main stage to present two sector-focused initiatives: the Club Membership Data Audit 2025 and the SGB Affiliation Shared Learning project. Both were designed to improve understanding of student engagement in sport and physical activity, and to strengthen how the sector supports and advocates for student needs. Their session sparked a number of follow-up discussions and highlighted a strong appetite across the sector for continued collaboration and shared learning.

Championing the Value of Sport in Higher Education

Director Mark Munro led two well-attended workshops that focused on the value of sport in the further and higher education sector. Drawing on recent work at the University of Edinburgh as a case study for good practice, the sessions attracted standing-room-only audiences; a clear sign of growing interest and engagement across the sector.

The workshops sparked lively and constructive discussion around the strategic positioning of sport and active wellbeing within institutions. In particular, participants explored how data can be interpreted and used to evidence the wider impact of sport, from enhancing the student experience and strengthening community cohesion to supporting institutional and academic success. 

Learning from the Student Voice

Just two weeks into her new role with the Sports Union, Alex Chan-Taylor took to the stage alongside her fellow former Sports Union Presidents to deliver a powerful session on the student sport experience. The segment explored key reflections from the past academic year, offering valuable insight into the multi-faceted role of a sabbatical officer. Topics included the barriers to participation that go beyond the cost-of-living challenges, and the importance of partnership working across institutions. The session highlighted how sabbatical officers play a critical role in shaping more inclusive, supportive, and active student communities.