Course: International Business Management with Marketing, 2nd year

How did you get into your sport?

I began playing in first year of secondary school as my older brother also played the sport. I previously played football however I came to enjoy volleyball more which encouraged me to make it my main sport.

What are the best and most challenging things about your sport?

The best thing about playing volleyball is the adrenaline rush you get after winning a long rally or an important point for your team. The most challenging aspect however is mastering the skills which can be very technical and take a lot of time and lot of repetition to become second nature.

What have been your biggest achievements to date?

My proudest moment would be representing the Scotland U20s national team in the Faroe Islands as well as being the second Scotland East team ever to win a gold medal at the UK School Games. In terms of achievements for the University, I was able to be part of the first Heriot-Watt Volleyball team to go on and win the SSS Cup.

What are your goals in your sport?

Due to injuries I had the plan of coaching the 2020/2021 HWU team, rather than competing myself. However Covid this has given me the perfect opportunity to recover and be ready for when the season returns. In the near future I’d like to help the university team defend our SSS Cup title and I hope to challenge for a position in the senior men’s national team.

What do you do to relax when you’re not training or competing?

When I’m not training or competing I like to play basketball with my flatmates or swim as it’s a good escape from the focussed competitive mindset I need for competing.

Who is your sporting icon, and why?

My sporting icon would have to be Kobe Bryant. This is down to his unbelievable work ethic and desire to be the best athlete that he could be. He worked harder than anyone else in the gym and proved that to be the best you need to put in the time and effort.

Tell us a fun fact…

During the warm up before a game I dived to the floor to get a ball, hit my chin off the floor and split it open. After playing the game with a hole in my chin I had to get stitches. A year later, at Heriot-Watt training, I dived to the floor again, hitting my chin and splitting it open in the exact same spot. You’d think I’d have learned the first time!