Episode Transcript

Sport is a big part of student life at the University of Dundee. There are over two thousand five hundred members  within the forty three student sports clubs, with many more students enjoying the excellent sports facilities on campus to meet up with friends, de-stress and enjoy some physical activity. Joining a sports club is definitely one of the best ways to settle into University life.

Has it always been this way? Well yes. The University has always had a strong sporting tradition. Legendary Totteham Hotspur captain Danny Blanchflower once tried out for a space on the University Collgee football team, while from 1936 to 1968 the director of Physical Education at the College was Jack Qusklay, trainer to Dundee, Dundee United and Celtic Football clubs.

From football, to rugby and even pole fitness, there’s something for everyone, but it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the support of their Sports Union and Sports Union President. It is their job to oversee and develop student sport at the University. They manage the day-to-day operations of the Sports’ Union making sure teams get to their fixtures and access to the best coaching and facilities. Also, if you become Sports Union President, there’s a pretty big chance that you will eventually end up working in the world of sport. We now have former Sports Union Presidents employed by Tennis Scotland, the Scottish Volleyball Association, British Universities & Colleges Sport and Scottish Student Sport.

The Sports Union President is heavily supported by Institute of Sport and Exercise based in the city’s Old Hawkhill. ISE was upgraded and redesigned in 2013. It is the hub for all things sport on campus. The 'state-of-the-art' gym was the first gym in the UK with mp3/mp4 compatible personal viewing screens. You can take classes, go swimming, play tennis and even do yoga, all a stones throw away from the University Residencies.

ISE is also home to an accredited Olympic training venue. It has one of only two laboratories in Scotland accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences for work with performance athletes, and hosts sportscotland’s regional high performance network offices. It was where Silver Olympic Medallist Stephen Milne trained for the Rio Olympics. So students are lucky to have such a fantastic building right on their doorstep.

Sport will remain a massive part of student life at the University of Dundee. They’ll continue to host the best balls, have the best mascot and serve free pizza at the jam packed Sports Fair during freshers' week.