WIREDGOV

New concession for high performance student athletes to receive student funding whilst training for Olympic/Paralympic Games selection.

- - - Issued on behalf of the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) - - -

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) in agreement with Scottish Government and sportscotland Institute of Sport, have extended a successful concession introduced for the 2014 Commonwealth Games for high performance student athletes who are training towards selection for Rio 2016.

This will enable these student athletes to focus on their Olympic/Paralympic training and spread their studies part-time over two years, whilst receiving full-time financial support from SAAS.

Following the success of the Commonwealth Games the Scottish Government remains firmly committed working with its partners and continuing to build on the opportunities this event brought, enhancing a strong Scotland wide legacy.

sportscotland Institute of Sport is also committed to building a world-class sporting system, ensuring a legacy at all levels, from grassroots to performance sport. Working in partnership with Scotland’s local authorities they plan to have 150 Community Sport Hubs operational by 2016. Currently there are 137 hubs across Scotland with more than 800 clubs and over 85,000 individual members.

SAAS Chief Executive, David Wallace said:

“This is a fabulous opportunity for SAAS to support high performance student athletes to compete in Rio 2016, whilst continuing to ensure they have full financial support through their higher education journey.”

sportscotland Institute of Sport Head of Performance Lifestyle, Susie Elms said:

“It can be extremely challenging for high performance athletes to balance the demands of training and competition with their studies. This initiative is a great example of how we can work together to minimise distractions for the athletes and allow them to focus on delivering on the world stage, while still preparing for their future.”

Commonwealth Games Medallist and Stirling University Student, Jak Scott said:

“I would not have achieved my potential without the support of SAAS. The ability to go part-time and still be funded as a full-time student allowed me to take my final year of University over two years. This in turn enabled me to concentrate on achieving peak performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games”

Notes To Editors

SAAS introduced a similar concession for eligible students to study part-time and still receive full-time funding and support, whilst in training for the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014.

Following this, athletes who choose to study part-time in session 2015-2016 due to Olympic/ Paralympic training commitments in Rio De Janeiro, can apply for the same level of support as full-time students. This will also be extended in 2016-2017. The support is available to new and continuing students already studying full time.

The concession reflects the commitment from SAAS to support the future aspirations and achievements of people throughout higher education.

SAAS Policy and sportscotland Institute of Sport Performance Lifestyle programme continue to work collaboratively in the facilitation of flexible study and performance sport.

For more information on Student Awards Agency Scotland visit: www.saas.gov.uk. Or call 0300 555 0505

sportscotland Institute of Sport offer a tailored Performance Lifestyle ™ service that supports performance athletes, this includes building performance behaviours, understanding the high performance environment, integration of education and career with sport, key transitions and preparing the athlete for life after sport.

For more information visit www.sportscotland.org.uk