Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, announced that Stirling will provide  training and support for high performance athletes studying at universities and colleges across Scotland.

 

This recognition of Stirling as the ‘gathering place’ for sport gives the University an unrivalled platform to play a key role in delivering Scotland’s sporting future.

 

Christine Hallett, Principal of the University of Stirling, said: “We are delighted that Stirling has been recognised as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, a move which will be the catalyst for developing a successful sporting future for Scotland.

 

“In creating a world class centre for sporting excellence here, the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council have recognised that Scotland can raise its profile by supporting athletes and sporting research.

 

“The additional funded places being allocated to the University of Stirling will add greater capacity to our International Sports Scholarship Scheme, and put Scotland’s talent on a world stage by combining sport with education.”

 

The Scottish Funding Council will allocate £600,000 to help create more flexible programmes to support student athletes in both their academic and sporting activities.

 

Other universities and colleges that want to develop their ability to support elite athletes will be invited to join the network of sports universities and colleges.

 

John McClelland, chair of the Funding Council, said that Scotland had a tradition of developing sporting excellence in its universities and colleges.

 

He said: “We saw a chance to build on Stirling’s unique position amongst the UK’s leading sports universities and create something special for Scotland.”

 

The Scottish Government has welcomed the announcement and Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “This announcement illustrates the Scottish Government's commitment to invest in sport at Scotland's universities and colleges.

 

“The University of Stirling is widely recognised as an institution that has sport very much at the heart of its identity, making it the ideal choice as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.

 

“The network will give Scotland's home grown athletes a flexible range and choice of places to support both their sporting and academic aspirations, while helping attract the best athletes and staff to base themselves here.”

 

Communities and Sport Minister, Stewart Maxwell, said: "I am sure that this announcement today will enhance and complement the work already being done by the Scottish Institute of Sport, the high performance delivery arm of sportscotland, and the Area Institute network.

 

"All of this will ensure that our Scottish athletes are well prepared for not only the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games but particularly the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow."

 

The University of Stirling has a suite of world-class facilities for sport including the National Swimming Academy and the National Tennis Centre.

 

The Scottish Institute of Sport, Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, Scottish Swimming, Scottish Gymnastics, Tennis Scotland, Fitness Scotland, Triathlon Scotland and the Scottish Football Association Central Area are all accommodated within the Stirling campus.

 

Stirling was the first Scottish university to offer sports scholarships in 1981.

 

There are currently 51 sports scholars in golf, swimming, tennis and triathlon, with a new scholarship programme for football next session.

 

Former sports scholars include outstanding Scottish golfers Catriona Matthew and Richie Ramsay, while current students Todd Cooper and Andy Hunter will be in the British swimming team at the Beijing Olympics, and Charlotte Henshaw at the Paralympics.