Hi, I am William Moncrieff and I have just started as a communications apprentice with Scottish Disability Sport.
I’m excited to take my first step in the sporting industry, especially as I have had an interest in sport from a very young age, growing up playing for my local mini rugby club in Strathspey and then joining Highland Rugby Club, playing for both their junior and senior teams. I am also a keen runner, enjoy playing golf and walking. These were all large factors in deciding to stay in the Highlands.
As part of a partnership agreement between UHI and Highland Rugby Club I studied sports coaching and development at both HNC/D level, whilst having access to both work experience and volunteering opportunities with the rugby club. In 2019, after finishing my HND I became seriously unwell, I have been left with life changing injuries and I am now registered blind. This affected my studies and led me to take a year out from university. In 2021 I decided to return to higher education with a slight change in focus, pursuing a degree in sports management, which I completed in May of 2023.
A big factor in my rehabilitation was sports. By trying to keep physically active I took up running, golf and hiking again, whilst at the same time maintaining a keen interest in all things rugby. My interest and passion for sport gave me purpose and motivation, playing a considerable factor in my return to university, obtaining my degree, and now finding employment. Physical activity has helped me rebuild my confidence and preserve a strong level of mental health. Sport has also been instrumental in helping me maintain exiting friendships and meeting new people with similar interests.
My new role focuses on the planning and delivering of targeted communications, with the primary aim of reinforcing Scottish Disability Sport’s core values and principles. A further responsibility is to identify new and exciting methods of storytelling. This is an area that particularly interests me, as I believe that when done effectively, storytelling can be incredibly inspiring. One of the many reasons for deciding to apply for this position was through my experience of the important work that the organisation does. I have been lucky enough to benefit and get running sessions provided through my local branch in Inverness. I am delighted to be able to work on sharing the fantastic work of Scottish Disability Sport, helping to get the message “out there”, so more individuals can benefit from the opportunities available. I am happy to be part of a team and look forward to working with new individuals, learning, and benefitting from their experience.