Winning Students 100 is Scotland’s national sport scholarship programme, supporting over 100 of the country’s most talented student athletes each year. The programme provides financial assistance, academic flexibility, and a comprehensive support network, enabling athletes to excel in both their sporting and academic pursuits.

This year’s intake will see 106 student athletes supported as they pursue excellence in both sport and academia. Spanning 31 sports and 18 further and higher education institutions, this year’s in-take of athletes represent the brightest of young sporting talent based in Scotland.

This year sees some sports supported for the first time, including boxing, cricket and lacrosse, while Dumfries and Galloway College and Scotland’s Rural College join the programme as new partner institutions.

Several of this year’s athletes have represented Team Scotland and Team GB at the highest level, with many setting their sights on the world stage, with aspirations to compete at the likes of the Winter Paralympic and Olympic Games and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Among them are athletics star Megan Keith, who has been named as part of Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026, artistic gymnastics talent Cameron Lynn, Edinburgh-based swimmer Archie Goodburn, ice hockey player Ruby Newlands and Dumfries and Galloway College curler Logan Carson and Paralympic swimmer Toni Shaw.

Since its launch in 2008, Winning Students 100 – formerly Winning Students – has become a vital support system and talent pipeline within Scottish sport, supporting over 1,700 student athletes to help them reach the pinnacle of their respective disciplines while gaining an academic qualification and forging the start of a successful career path.

The programme’s alumni list reads like a who’s who of Scottish sporting greatness, including Olympic, Paralympic and World champions, and its success stories continue to inspire the next generation of Scottish athletes.

Designed to empower Scotland’s most promising sporting talent to excel both academically and athletically, the prestigious Winning Students 100 programme provides athletes with grants of up to £3,000.

The programme works with colleges and universities to offer additional support such as academic flexibility, ensuring student athletes can balance the demands of high-performance training, international competition and rigorous academic schedules.

Winning Students 100 also has a dedicated hardship fund, which provides additional support to student athletes from areas of higher deprivation, making athletic opportunities more accessible to more people.

The scholarship is funded by sportscotland, the Scottish Funding Council and Scotland’s higher education and further education sector and managed by Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, the University of Stirling.

Cathy Gallagher, Chair, Winning Students 100 Advisory Board said: “Winning Students 100 is a bold and forward-thinking investment in the future of Scottish sport and education. The programme positions Scotland as a true pioneer, delivering a comprehensive support system that empowers athletes to achieve their full potential.

“The programme is about cultivating well-rounded leaders who are prepared for success in all aspects of their life. This year’s record-breaking applications highlight the programme’s reputation as a world leader in dual-career support, and we are proud to champion these exceptional individuals.”

Paddle Scotland would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to Kristina on her selection.

For more information about Winning Students 100 and the 2025-26 cohort, visit

www.winningstudents-scotland.ac.uk.