Partnerships

We work with a variety of different sporting partners across several different disciplines, all of which have direct benefits for our students.

Read more about these partnerships on this page.

Scottish Volleyball Association

This partnership was announced in September 2020 to provide students with industry-relevant coaching and development experience.

The partnership, initially taking place at the University’s Ayr Campus within the BA (Hons) Sports Coaching & Development programme, provides students with an insight into the workings of a national governing body in sport, and real and relevant industry work experience.

Scottish Volleyball Association staff work closely with the students across a range of modules, giving them the opportunity to progress along the coaching pathway. As well as a host of coaching qualifications, students have access to work experience in community club and national team coaching settings. Teaching staff at UWS also work with Scottish Volleyball Development Officers to provide continuous professional development opportunities for coaches and volunteers.

Read more about the partnership in our press release issued to mark the launch in September 2020.

Celtic Football Club

In July 2020 UWS's leading sports and exercise science expertise was further recognised by the announcement of a new partnership with Celtic Football Club.

The University’s longstanding experience in working with elite sports organisations saw UWS become Celtic’s sports science partner for their Youth Academy.

Led by Vish Unnithan, Professor of Paediatric Exercise Physiology at UWS, the partnership gives three PhD students from UWS the opportunity to work alongside Celtic, supporting elite youth football development.

Undertaking important research and providing expert insights, the three PhD students focus on three key areas of strength and conditioning, sports nutrition and recovery, and overall readiness to play in elite youth football.

Celtic are the latest professional football club to work with the sports and exercise science team at UWS, who have extensive experience in working with elite football clubs across the globe, including FC Barcelona and the German Football League.

Read more about the partnership in our press release issued to mark the launch in July 2020.

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

The University has a long standing relationship with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture which creates a pathway for young coaches in the area.

Many of our students on our sport programmes have the chance to gain work experience with South Lanarkshire’s Active Schools team with bespoke modules part of relevant programmes.

This partnership enables our students to gain valuable employability skills as they become deeply engaged with sport delivery in real settings. Students get the opportunity to work with staff and partners to provide opportunities and experience in physical activity and sport which connects to health and wellbeing.

Read more about this partnership on the sportscotland website.

Ayr Rugby

In May 2019 the University signed a strategic partnership agreement with Ayr Rugby. The ambitious collaboration between UWS, Ayr Rugby Club, Ayrshire Bulls and the Ayr Community Rugby Trust sees the club strengthen its relationship with the University enabling both parties to focus resources across a number of high priority areas including education, research, squad development, coaching and community inclusion.

As part of the partnership, UWS students have benefited from internships giving them the opportunity to work closely with the club across a number of areas including strength and conditioning, performance analysis and marketing and promotion. These internships form part of the students’ degree programmes at UWS and allow them to gain valuable experience.

Read more about this partnership in our press release issued to mark the launch in May 2019.

Glasgow Rocks

We have been working closely with Glasgow Rocks Professional Basketball Team since 2017. In that time we have seen UWS students combine playing for the team in the British Basketball League with their studies. The Rocks are proactive in supporting our Team UWS Basketball Team and have hosted student placements across a range of areas including strength and conditioning.