James Smith Award 2024

UHI Moray graduate, Jacob McArthur, has been named the James Smith Award winner of 2024.

Jacob started with us in 2022 on our Sport and Fitness (SCQF Level 6) course and is graduating this year with a HNC in Sports Coaching and Development.

He was nominated for the incredible progress shown in the two years he was a student and for being a champion for UHI Moray.

Jacob would give his time and skills to help at community events, and if staff ever needed support, he would always offer a helping hand.

He played a crucial role in supporting our Active Campus Co-ordinator in setting up the campus football team, organising team kits and transportation, whilst also being an encouraging role model to his classmates to get involved.

During his studies he was the Student Voice Rep for his course, giving his classmates a say in the student experience by attending meetings and sharing feedback.

He was always determined to take up CPD opportunities such Handball, Fencing, Elgin City workshops, Mental Health First Aid, Bikeability, EQ Games training and Table Cricket through various organisations and governing bodies.

As part of his studies, Jacob took part in a work placement with Elgin Sports Community Trust, and now continues to volunteer his time as a football coach, receiving glowing reviews from his mentor, the coaches and participants.

He has been heavily involved in the Mental Health Football through Active Recovery and has been a big advocate for this initiative in Moray.

On top of this, Jacob also volunteers for the New Elgin Primary Youth Club where he supports young people of all ages and abilities in a variety of activities.

Stephen Gertsen, Curriculum Team Lead for Sport at UHI Moray, said:

“Jacob is hardworking, dedicated and passionate about the course and the sport industry. He is a pleasure to teach, a role model to our younger students and well respected amongst his peers.”

The James Smith Award is given to one student who has shown outstanding dedication to their course, fellow students & local community. James was Scotland’s leading outdoor and indoor physically disabled bowler and travelled the world representing Scotland. He studied Multimedia here at UHI Moray and was well known among us.