University of Edinburgh Sport Launches InspirED Outreach Programme for Local Schools

University of Edinburgh Sport has launched a new outreach initiative designed to inspire young people through the experiences of student-athletes. The programme, titled InspirED, will see University of Edinburgh student-athletes visit local schools to share their journeys, promote healthy lifestyles, and encourage pupils to believe in their potential.

Officially launched this week, InspirED connects schools with current student-athletes who can offer relatable, real-world insight into balancing education, sport, and personal development. By bringing student-athletes into the classroom, the programme aims to inspire confidence, ambition, and positive habits among young people.

Sport plays a vital role in education, wellbeing, and personal development. InspirED is about using the power of our student-athletes to connect with young people in a meaningful way, showing how sport can support confidence, resilience, and healthy habits. It also strengthens our connection with local communities, which is central to what we aim to achieve as a University.

Neil Rankin, University of Edinburgh Sport Head of Active Wellbeing and Community Programmes

At the heart of InspirED is the belief that role models matter. During school visits, student-athletes deliver interactive sessions that explore their individual pathways into sport, from early participation through to competing while studying at university. They speak openly about the realities of performance sport, including managing academic commitments, overcoming setbacks, and developing resilience in the face of challenge.

A distinctive strength of the InspirED project is the calibre of student-athletes involved. Many of those taking part represent their nations at the highest levels of sport and are currently competing on European, World, Commonwealth, or Olympic & Paralympic pathways. By engaging with athletes who are performing on the international stage while pursuing their education, pupils gain a unique insight into what it takes to compete at the highest level. These stories highlight not only sporting excellence, but also the discipline, resilience, and balance required to succeed, reinforcing the message that ambition and belief, supported by positive habits, can open doors both on and off the field.

A key element of each session is a focus on performance habits that support success both on and off the field. Student-athletes share practical examples of goal-setting, time management, training consistency, sleep, nutrition, and mental wellbeing, helping pupils understand how these behaviours can positively influence school life and personal confidence.

Sport has given me far more than results or medals - it’s taught me resilience, teamwork, and self-belief. Being able to share those lessons with young people in the local community is incredibly rewarding.

Cat Nelli, Scotland Hockey Player and Sport Scholar

InspirED is rooted in the University of Edinburgh Sport values of Ambition, Belonging and Belief. Throughout the sessions, athletes reflect on what these values mean to them personally. Ambition is explored as striving to improve and setting meaningful goals, regardless of starting point. Belonging focuses on the importance of teamwork, inclusion, and feeling supported within a community. Belief centres on confidence, self-trust, and the courage to pursue opportunities, even when challenges arise.

The programme also highlights multiple pathways into sport, including recreational participation, volunteering, and leadership opportunities, helping to remove perceived barriers and encourage lifelong engagement in physical activity.

As InspirED rolls out to more schools over the coming months, University of Edinburgh Sport hopes the programme will spark meaningful conversations around resilience, healthy lifestyles, and personal development. The initiative also provides valuable leadership and communication experience for the student-athletes involved, strengthening the University’s connection with local communities.

Through InspirED, University of Edinburgh Sport is committed to empowering young people to be ambitious, feel that they belong, and believe in themselves, both on and off the sporting field.