Glasgow University Sports Association
Encyclopedia
Glasgow University Sports Association (formerly Glasgow University Athletic Club) is a student organisation at the University of Glasgow
responsible for the promotion of sport, and to which sports teams at the University may affiliate.
ten days later. Its founding aim was to "promote all forms of Athletic Exercise", an aim which continues to this day. In 1903, a women's section was established at Queen Margaret College
, the women's section of the University.
The Athletic Club provided representation on behalf of all students five years before the foundation of the Students' Representative Council
, which now fulfills this role. Along with the Dialectic Society
and Medico-Chirurgical Society
, the Athletic Club was instrumental in founding the Glasgow University Union
in 1885, and the two maintain a close relationship.
In 1992, the Club became the Glasgow University Sports Association, a name intended to encapsulate better the work done by the organisation.
The highlight of the Association's year is the GUSA Ball (or Annual Awards Dinner and Dance) in February, a black-tie affair at which Blues, Half-Blues and Awards are presented to successful athletes and teams. Previous Blues winners include Sir Menzies Campbell and Rebecca Cooke
.
, where the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is based, offers a further fitness suite, six grass and two all-weather pitches, three tennis courts, a cricket oval and extensive grounds for walking and running. Students who join the Sport and Recreation Service also become members of GUSA, and therefore have access to all university sports facilities.
The Association's offices are located at 62 Oakfield Avenue on Gilmorehill, opposite the Stevenson Building.
Members of University Staff are also appointed to the Council to represent the Association to the management of the University. These are the Honorary President, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Vice-President and Court
and Senate
Representatives. The current Honorary President is Professor Frank Coton, Vice-Principal for Learning and Development.
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
responsible for the promotion of sport, and to which sports teams at the University may affiliate.
History
The Glasgow University Athletic Club was founded on 20 April 1881 and its constitution approved by the SenateAcademic Senate
An Academic Senate is a governing body in some universities and colleges, and is typically the supreme academic authority for the institution.-Scotland:...
ten days later. Its founding aim was to "promote all forms of Athletic Exercise", an aim which continues to this day. In 1903, a women's section was established at Queen Margaret College
Queen Margaret College (Glasgow)
Queen Margaret College was a women-only higher education institution based in North Park House in Glasgow, Scotland.It was established in 1868 by the Association for the Higher Education of Women, as women were not at the time permitted to study at universities in Scotland. The College was named...
, the women's section of the University.
The Athletic Club provided representation on behalf of all students five years before the foundation of the Students' Representative Council
Glasgow University Students' Representative Council
Glasgow University Students' Representative Council was founded on 9th March 1886 and recognised as the legal representative body for students of the University of Glasgow by the Universities Act 1889. The SRC is responsible for representing students' interests to the management of the University...
, which now fulfills this role. Along with the Dialectic Society
Glasgow University Dialectic Society
The Glasgow University Dialectic Society, re-instituted in 1861, is a student society at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, committed to the promotion of debating, logic, ethics and literary discussion at the University...
and Medico-Chirurgical Society
Glasgow University Medico-Chirurgical Society
The University of Glasgow Medico-Chirurgical Society is a student society at the University of Glasgow which organises social and educational events for medical and nursing students at the University...
, the Athletic Club was instrumental in founding the Glasgow University Union
Glasgow University Union
Glasgow University Union is one of the largest and oldest students' unions in the UK, serving students and alumni of the University of Glasgow since 1885....
in 1885, and the two maintain a close relationship.
In 1992, the Club became the Glasgow University Sports Association, a name intended to encapsulate better the work done by the organisation.
Activities
The Association provides financial, administrative and representational support to individuals and groups involved in sport and recreation at University of Glasgow.The highlight of the Association's year is the GUSA Ball (or Annual Awards Dinner and Dance) in February, a black-tie affair at which Blues, Half-Blues and Awards are presented to successful athletes and teams. Previous Blues winners include Sir Menzies Campbell and Rebecca Cooke
Rebecca Cooke
Rebecca Cooke is a former British freestyle swimmer.She has won medals at every major international championships with the exception of the Olympic Games. She retired from international competition in April 2008 after failing to make the British team for the 2008 Games in Beijing.-References:...
.
Affiliated Clubs
There are over forty sports teams at the University affiliated to the Sports Association, which assists them financially and in obtaining transport, equipment and publicity. Such teams include the following:- Aikido
- Athletics
- Badminton Club
- Basketball Clubs (men's and women's)
- Boat ClubGlasgow University Boat ClubGlasgow University Boat Club is one of the oldest institutions at the University of Glasgow, in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, with a rich tradition stretching back to its foundation in 1877. Although traditionally all-male, in 2004 the club underwent an historic transformation with the acceptance...
- Amateur Boxing Club
- American Football (Glasgow Tigers)
- Canoeing
- Cross-country (Hares and Hounds)
- Cheerleading Squad
- Cricket Club
- Curling
- Cycling
- Fencing
- Football (men's and women's)
- Gaelic FootballGaelic footballGaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
(men's and women's) - Golf
- Hockey (men's and women's)
- Judo
- Karate
- Kendo
- Lacrosse Club (men's and women's)
- Mountaineering Club
- Muay Thai
- Netball Club
- Potholing
- Riding Club
- Rifle Club
- Rugby (men'sGlasgow University Rugby Football ClubGlasgow University Rugby Football Club is a rugby team at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.GURFC was formed in 1869 and is one of the University's oldest student groups, predating the Glasgow University Sports Association, to which it is now affiliated. The Club is a founding member of the...
and women's) - Sailing Club
- Shinty Club
- Shorinji Kempo
- Ski and Snowboard Club
- Skydive Club
- Snooker
- Squash
- Sub-Aqua
- Swimming and Waterpolo Club
- Tennis Club (men's and women's)
- Trampoline Club
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball (men's and women's)
- Surf Club (windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing)
Facilities
The Association works in partnership with the University of Glasgow Sport and Recreation Service, which maintains the University's sports facilities. The Stevenson Building (or 'Stevie') on the University's main site in Gilmorehill houses a fitness suite, squash courts, sauna and six-lane 25m swimming pool, while the Garscube Estate near BearsdenBearsden
Bearsden ) is a town in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It lies on the northwestern fringe of Greater Glasgow, approximately from the City Centre, and is effectively a suburb, with housing development coinciding with the introduction of a railway line in 1863, and from where the town gets its name...
, where the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is based, offers a further fitness suite, six grass and two all-weather pitches, three tennis courts, a cricket oval and extensive grounds for walking and running. Students who join the Sport and Recreation Service also become members of GUSA, and therefore have access to all university sports facilities.
The Association's offices are located at 62 Oakfield Avenue on Gilmorehill, opposite the Stevenson Building.
Management
The Association is managed by the GUSA Council, a body of sixteen members elected in the Spring. The Council comprises the Executive (made up by the President, Vice-President Clubs, Vice-President Recreational Sport, and Secretary), six Convenors (of Finance, Travel, Publicity, Charities & Outreach, Property, Recreation), four Ordinary Members and two Ordinary Associate Members. The position of President is a sabbatical post, for which the holder takes a year out from their studies and is paid by the University. The current President is Leo Howes.Members of University Staff are also appointed to the Council to represent the Association to the management of the University. These are the Honorary President, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Vice-President and Court
University Court
A University Court is an administrative body of a university in the United Kingdom. In England's Oxbridge such a Court carries out limited judicial functions; whereas in Scotland it is a University's supreme governing body, analogous to a Board of Directors or a Board of Trustees.-England:In the...
and Senate
Academic Senate
An Academic Senate is a governing body in some universities and colleges, and is typically the supreme academic authority for the institution.-Scotland:...
Representatives. The current Honorary President is Professor Frank Coton, Vice-Principal for Learning and Development.