A first-ever Women in Sport Conference is being held at the University of Stirling, Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, on Wednesday 8 October, 2014.
Commonwealth Games Silver medal winner Eilidh Child and Stirling graduate Susan Egelstaff, Commonwealth badminton bronze medallist, are just two of the speakers at the event designed to inspire the next generation of women sporting stars.
The conference, being organised by the University of Stirling’s Student Union, in partnership with sportscotland, will be opened by Shona Robinson, Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport.
The conference will analyse how women can be empowered through sport, exploring the role of sport as a vehicle for positive body image, identities and relationships and will examine women in elite sport as well as how student sport can actively promote equality and diversity.
The event will be held at the macrobert arts theatre and is open to the public, sports governing bodies and students.
Other speakers include Professor Leigh Robinson, Head of School of Sport; Louise Martin CBE, chair of sportscotland; John Taylor, Academic Researcher; BBC sports journalist Alison Walker and Wendy Inglis-Humphrey, of Scottish business innovation hub Sporting Chance.
Early bird tickets (before September 12) for the full-day conference, which runs from 9.30am until 4.30pm, can be purchased from the University of Stirling
Rebecca Gracey, University of Stirling Sports Union President, said: “As Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, the University is determined to deliver a bright sporting future for Scotland and we believe this conference will help to foster discussion on the way forward for women in sport.
“We want our students to learn from the best and we are delighted to have secured involvement from the Scottish Government, sportscotland, UK Sport and distinguished sporting professionals and athletes. It will also be a chance for speakers, students and delegates to reflect upon the Commonwealth Games.”
The idea for the conference won the National Union of Students (NUS) 'Achievement of the Year' category at its Scotland Women’s Awards.
Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “The University is delighted to be working in partnership with the Students’ Union to deliver the Women in Sport conference later this year.
“The event has attracted tremendous support already and it will be a valuable occasion for our students.
“It is also an example of the great work that is being done across the University to advance opportunities for women. For example, we have been at the forefront of the new Aurora female leadership and development programme, thanks to the hard work of Kerry Bryson, our Aurora champion; and Kathy McCabe, who led on the development of the programme at national level with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.”
Notes for editors
- Background information
Eilidh Child
Eilidh Child won the 400m Hurdles Silver medal at the Glasgow 2014 commonwealth Games. She represented Great Britain at the London 2010 Olympic Games and holds the Scottish record for the 400 metres Hurdles. Representing Great Britain, Eilidh has won a Silver medal in the 400 metres at the 2013 European Indoor Championships, breaking the Scottish indoor record, before adding a gold medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay. She also won Bronze medals in the 4 x 400 m relay at the 2013 World Championships and at the 2014 World Indoor Championships.
Susan Egelstaff
Susan Egelstaff is a former University of Stirling alumina, graduating in 2006 with a BA Hons in Psychology and Sports Studies. She first represented Scotland in 2000, and became the highest ranked female badminton athlete in the UK. Susan won Team Bronze at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, took Women's Singles Bronze in 2006 in Melbourne and represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.