In the lead up to their annual men’s ‘varsity rugby match against St Andrews at The Hive, Murrayfield, on Friday, the University of Edinburgh have unveiled an umbrella group to give further support to alumni and current athletes.
The “Edinburgh Wildcats” group will bring together the University’s 70 sporting disciplines, from rugby to archery to weightlifting, to underline sporting prowess. Some 200 teams will be involved embracing 10,000 athletes some of whom took part in recent Commonwealth Games, Olympics and Paralympics.
As the first in the UK to adopt the American collegiate sporting model the aim is to encourage the community of Edinburgh to get behind the university’s talented athletes.
Double Olympian Eilidh Doyle, an alumni of the University and Global Ambassador for Sport, said: “The facilities and support that young and emerging athletes receive from the university is second to none. Through Edinburgh Wildcats this feeling and belief in the achievements that can be created through hard work, dedication and perseverance has been captured. It brings all of the athletes together, allowing them to share in one passion and one journey for greatness, while also allowing the local community to get behind them and show their support.”
Mark Munro, University of Edinburgh Director of Sport and Active Health, said: “At the University of Edinburgh Sport we have been able to support a phenomenal number of athletes to perform on a global stage across so many disciplines. Through Edinburgh Wildcats our aim is to bring these athletes together and create a space in which to champion the incredible talent that lies within current students and alumni who have come through our doors.
“The facilities here at the university are second to none, something that can be seen from the volume of international teams choosing to train here while visiting Scotland, and this, paired with the fantastic support of our staff, comes together to create an environment that pushes athletes to greatness. Our hope is that through Edinburgh Wildcats we’ll be able to welcome even more students and spectators to discover the sporting expertise we are known for.”
The Edinburgh Wildcats will be officially rolled out on Friday for the first time during the men’s rugby varsity match at Hive Stadium, Murrayfield where The University of Edinburgh will take on St Andrews University in the World’s oldest varsity match.
Featuring world-class training facilities, The University of Edinburgh Sport is renowned as the number one sports University in Scotland and one of the best in Europe. For over 150 years, the university has assisted some of the most decorated athletes and sporting communities in the world – from Olympians to pioneering researchers – creating a lasting legacy that sees its impact reach across the world.
Notable alumni include multiple olympic champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, Britain’s most decorated female olympian, Baroness Katherine Grainger, Scottish Rugby Head Coach,Gregor Townsend and Commonwealth Games swimmer, Archie Goodburn.
