Club makes a splash with third award
A student based in named the Highlands sports club running.
The Wind and Wave Club won Sports Club of the Year in this year’s Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) Awards, despite spending limited time on the water because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Club commodore Iain Walsingham and yachting co-ordinator Jamie Rodgers, who both study at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) UHI, were also highly water sports club Oban has been University of the and Islands’ best for the third year commended in the Above and Beyond – Student Award category.
In the absence of organised sailing competitions in the past year, the club arranged group sailing for members based in Oban, alongside activities run by club partner Oban Sailing Club. There has also been online training and social events, as well as ‘virtual’ races.
Iain, who finishes his BSc Marine Science studies at SAMS UHI this year, said: ‘I was pleasantly surprised to hear we had won the award again and I’m really thankful to all the club members who took the time to keep the club going in circumstances.
‘It was a real team effort and hopefully I’ve left the club in a position to move onto bigger and better things.
‘We were heavily impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown. With the ability to attend online lectures from home, many of our club members were spread all the way from America to Germany, so we required a big online effort to accommodate everyone.’
During the past year the club was able to access HISA grants to clear all club debts, meaning the Wind and Wave Club now owns its firefly racing dinghies. really difficult
Continued from page 48. and co-ordinating large scale events outwith rugby.
Speaking to The Oban Times earlier this week, Jonathan said: ‘It’s quite exciting to be named as one of the first RugbyForce ambassadors.
‘Hopefully the programme will really take off and I will be able to look back and say ‘I was there right at the start’.’
The 10 winners, who will receive funding for their projects, were recently welcomed to the inaugural Young Ambassador forum by former Scotland international Rory Lawson.
Speaking via Zoom, Rory revealed details of the training and behind the scenes experiences with the Scotland international squads that the winners will receive over the next few months.
The training provided will help Young Ambassadors develop key skills for club management including financial and social media capabilities and guidance on how to help their clubs attract members. The announcement comes as the Scottish Government confirms the move to level zero and the relaxation of many of the current covid lockdown restrictions.
Delivered in partnership between Scottish Rugby and Royal Bank of Scotland, the Young Ambassador project is the latest extension to the RugbyForce programme.
Last season, to support clubs that were forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Royal Bank developed a toolkit for clubs when operations had stalled. ‘Return to Rugby’ kits were also provided to help clubs prepare for re-opening.
Malcolm Buchanan, chairman, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scotland Board, said: ‘Jonathan fully deserves the award and we’re looking forward to supporting him in achieving positive societal change through the Young Ambassador programme.’
An integral aspect of the university calendar, the HISA Awards give recognition to staff and students who dedicate their time to making the institution more diverse and inclusive for everyone.
This year, more than 600 nominations were received with submissions praising staff and students of the University of the Highlands and Islands for their support.
The awards allowed students to nominate in various different categories and entries were judged by a panel consisting of staff, students and student officers from across the university.