Ayrshire College is celebrating the success of HND Sports student, Ruby Newlands, who has been selected for Winning Students 100, Scotland’s national sports scholarship programme for the country’s most promising student-athletes.
Ruby, who competes for Great Britain in ice hockey, joins an elite group of young athletes chosen in November 2025 for the highly competitive programme. Winning Students 100 is funded by sportscotland, the Scottish Funding Council and Scotland’s higher and further education sector, and is managed by Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, the University of Stirling.
As part of her introduction to the programme, Ruby received official kit from Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, marking the beginning of her journey as one of Scotland’s most promising student-athletes and symbolising the support she will benefit from throughout her scholarship year.
The scholarship provides tailored financial and academic support to help student-athletes excel both in education and in high-performance sport, ensuring Ruby can continue representing GB while progressing through her Sports studies at Ayrshire College.
Ruby’s selection reflects her dedication to balancing international sporting commitments with academic excellence. As a GB ice hockey athlete, she trains and competes at the highest level, often travelling across the UK and overseas, while maintaining strong engagement in her studies.
Her achievement places Ayrshire College on the national sporting map and exemplifies the growing strength of the Sports curriculum in nurturing talented athletes.
Ruby Newlands, GB Ice Hockey Athlete and Winning Students 100 Scholar, said:
I’m honoured to have been selected for the Winning Students 100 programme. It means a lot to have this level of support as I work towards my goals in ice hockey and in my studies. Being recognised nationally motivates me even more to keep pushing forward.
John McTaggart, Curriculum Manager for Sport at Ayrshire College, commented:
“We are incredibly proud of Ruby. Her professionalism, attitude and success in her sport are exceptional. To be chosen for the Winning Students 100 programme is a significant achievement and fully deserved. Ruby is an inspiration to other students pursuing both education and high-performance sport.”
Bryan Barclay, Performance Sport & Winning Students 100 Officer, A spokesperson for the Winning Students 100 Scholarship Programme added:
“Ruby’s selection reflects her talent, dedication and potential. Winning Students 100 is designed to support athletes exactly like her, those who are striving for excellence in both sport and education. We look forward to supporting Ruby over the coming year.”