Please Note: Some candidates are standing for both the Vice President and for the Executive Officer role. The votes for the Vice President position will be counted first and then the Executive Officer roles. The votes for a candidate in the Vice President role will not count towards their election as Executive Officer and vice versa. You can, however, vote for the same candidate in both elections. Votes for a candidate that is removed from the Exec race, due to winning the VP position will be transferred on to the 2nd, 3rd choice of the voter etc. so are not wasted.
Alex Chan-Taylor (Badminton Club)
Badminton Club President (22/23 + incoming for 23/24), SU Lead Ambassador (22/23), Table Tennis Club + Team (22/23), Netball Club + Team (19/20), Badminton Club Captain (20/21), SU Event Ambassador (20/21).
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: A very recent moment!! Winning the badminton conference cup final against our rivals Edi, meaning the team has done the double – and done so without losing a single game!!
Course of Study: 5th Year Languages (Interpreting and Translation)
Why are you standing for the role? My whole university experience has been shaped by the SU. After the pandemic and a year abroad, it has been so amazing to be back and to be part of a SU that is so close knit. I have so much passion for not only my club, by the SU as a whole and I want to be able to help both returning members and new students to have as much of the same opportunities and experiences as I have had.
Alexander Raez (Hockey Club)
Women’s Hockey Club 2s coach 21/22 & 22/23, Hockey Club Vice President 23/24, Hockey Club Tour 22/23, Hockey Club Social Sec 21/22, Hockey Club Community Officer 20/21, Lifting Club Social Sec 22/23 & SU Ambassador 22/23.
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: Winning varsity on my 21st birthday.
Course of Study: 4th Year Computing Science.
Why are you standing for the role? This is coming up on my 4th year of being part of the SU. It has made me feel so involved and included ever since I have been here. I just want the opportunity to provide the experience that I got to everyone whether they are in their 1st year or final year.
Calum McDaid (Tennis Club)
Tennis Club Social Secretary, Treasurer & Captain.
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: My favourite sporting moment was varsity last year. It was great experience and I can’t wait for it again this year.
Course of Study: 4th Psychology.
Why are you standing for the role? The sports Union has had such a huge influence on my university experience. It has been second home to me and I want everyone else to feel the same way. This role gives me the opportunity to do that.
Dougal Humberstone (Football & Mountaineering Club)
Current Mountaineering Transport & Competition Secretary 22/23.
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: Winning the league with both the 4s and the 5s this year/Organising Heriots Watts first ever entry at the annual BUCS Climbing competition.
Course of Study: 3rd Year MEng Civil Engineering.
Why are you standing for the role? The Sports Union has been the best part of University and I want to ensure that everyone else has the opportunity to enjoy the same experiences I’ve had.
Elspeth McCalman (Cheerleading Club)
Vice President of the Cheerleading Club (22/23) and have also been a Sports ambassador (22/23).
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: Placing first at Scottish champs and beating Edinburgh University two years in a row!
Course of Study: 3rd Biological sciences
Why are you standing for the role? Coming to Uni in 2020 (right in the middle of covid) was very difficult especially as sports clubs could not run normally and it was practically illegal to make new friends. In my second year I became more involved with the SU and it has changed my whole University experience for the better. A main focus of the SU this year was not only getting first years to join the sports union but to also to encourage existing members of the University to join the SU as, like myself, they may have missed out on the opportunity due to the ongoing effects of Covid. As an Executive officer I want to continue to encourage older members of the University to join sports clubs and try something new! This is something I feel very passionate about, as I truly believe that joining a sports club in university is one of the best things you can do, not only to make lifelong friends and great memories but also to take a break from your classes, have fun and benefit your mental and physical health.
Emma Winterbourne (Football Club)
Football Club Social Secretary 22/23
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: Either runner-up at Strictly or final game of the season where the ladies team won the league and were promoted.
Course of Study: 3rd International Business Management (MA)
Why are you standing for the role? I have made most of my uni friends through football and by being social sec I have made even more across different clubs and even tried new sports. So I have realized I want to get more involved within the SU and help others do the same.
Jade Vincent Borde (Cheerleading & Volleyball Club)
Current Health & Wellbeing Exec 22/23, Cheerleading Club Social Secretary for 2 consecutive years, Ambassador 22/23.
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: Nothing is more fun for a French gal than a Sports Ceilidh ! Been attending since my first year and it gets funnier every time!
Course of Study: 4th Year of an Mchem Chemistry with Biochemistry.
Why are you standing for the role? The Sports Union has taught me valuable lessons that I will forever carry on. The joy of sharing passions, wins and great values with such incredible people is something I’d love to continue working on, alongside this awesome community. In the many roles I’ve endorsed in the SU I have developed a great attention to detail, communication and organisation; skills that I believe make me the best fit for SU VP!
Laurie Hunter (Dance & Badminton Club)
SU Ambassador 22/23, Dance Club Street Vice Captain 21/22, Incoming Dance Club Street Captain 23/24, Sports Scholar 21/22
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: I have so many amazing moments within the SU, but my favourite would have to be winning 1st place at Edinburgh Uni Dance Off 2022 with the Street Team which I was Vice Captain of.
Course of Study: 2nd Year BSc (Hons) Geography
Why are you standing for the role? I love being part of the SU and it has given me so many opportunities, so I feel it’s a good time to give back and get more involved! I also feel being part of the exec committee, I will get to learn more about the SU and discover more experiences. I loved my time being an SU Ambassador and with having done that role now and gotten the experience volunteering for the SU, I think it’s time to be able to continue that at a much higher level so being an exec will allow me to do that and increase my involvement within the SU.
Lucy Marin-Curtoud (Dance Club)
Dance Club Wellbeing Secretary
Favourite Sporting/SU moment: Winning 25 trophies with the dance club in one competition season! Winning the most awards in HW dance club history!
Course of Study: 3rd Year IT Management for Business
Why are you standing for this role? The sport union has played a massive role in making my university experience enjoyable and positive. Without the Watt Family I would’ve struggled to connect with other students, and I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I’ve met so far. I would like the opportunity to support other students in gaining a positive experience at university and sport.
Sean Klemer (American Football & Powerlifting Club)
Boxing Club Treasurer (21/22), SU Ambassador and S&C coordinator for American football (22/23).
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: Winning strictly come dancing with Ellie Kemsley.
Course of Study: Structural Engineering
Why are you standing for the role? I think I could help maintain and build the amazing sense of community the SU provides and I will be a great representative for the SU.
Vinny Pemberton (Archery & Table Tennis Club)
Archery Club Armourer (2 years), Archery Club Committee (5 years), SU Ambassador (3 years), Sports Union Intern, Archery Club Movember Captain, Incoming Table Tennis Participation Officer 23/24.
Favourite Sporting/SU Moment: I have a LOT of good memories! But it has to be the Watt Welcome Fair in September, 2022. The pandemic was very hard on me, so being an ambassador and welcoming in thousands of students over the day, in-person, was just magical!
Course of Study: 2nd Year BSc (Hons) Geography
Why are you standing for the role? The Sports Union, Oriam, the community and everyone involved in that: All of these have given me so many opportunities, and they are a big part of who I am today. Being on a committee and acting ambassador has allowed me to give back to the community and help others how others once helped me.
And so, taking on the position of SU Exec to help grow the community even further and make it better for everyone involved would be a massive opportunity that I would absolutely love to be a part of.