By Gary Anderson

Double Commonwealth Games silver medal winner Eilidh Child will be appearing at the Women in Sport Conference at the University of Stirling ©Team ScotlandCommonwealth Games medallists Eilidh Child and Susan Egelstaff are set to appear at the inaugural Women in Sport Conference taking place at the University of Stirling in October.

The conference organised by the University of Stirling's Student Union, in partnership with Government funding agency sportscotland, aims to focus on how women can be empowered through sport and will explore how the role of sport is used as a vehicle for positive body image, identities and relationships.

It will also examine women in elite sport as well as how student sport can actively promote equality and diversity.

Child will be speaking at the event fresh from securing a second successive Commonwealth Games silver medal at Glasgow 2014 in the women's 400 metres hurdles.

Former University of Stirling student Egelstaff is a six-time Scottish badminton women's singles champion and followed up a team bronze at Manchester 2002 with a singles bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006.

Former University of Stirling student Susan Egelstaff will be speaking at the conference ©Steve Lindridge Former University of Stirling student Susan Egelstaff will be speaking at the conference
©Steve Lindridge



"As Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, the University is determined to deliver a bright sporting future for Scotland and we believe this conference will help to foster discussion on the way forward for women in sport," said University of Stirling Sports Union President Rebecca Gracey.

"We want our students to learn from the best and we are delighted to have secured involvement from the Scottish Government, sportscotland, UK Sport and distinguished sporting professionals and athletes.

"It will also be a chance for speakers, students and delegates to reflect upon the Commonwealth Games."

The event will be held at the Macrobert Arts Theatre and is open to the public, sports governing bodies and students.

The conference is due to place from 9.30am to 4.30pm on October 8 and will be opened by , Shona Robison, Scotland's Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport.

Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison will open the Women in Sport Conference in Stirling ©Getty ImagesScottish Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison will open the Women in Sport Conference in Stirling ©Getty Images



Other speakers at the conference include Professor Leigh Robinson, Head of School of Sport; chair of sportscotland Louise Martin,  academic researcher John Taylor, BBC sports journalist Alison Walker and Wendy Inglis-Humphrey of Scottish business innovation hub Sporting Chance.

"The University is delighted to be working in partnership with the Students' Union to deliver the Women in Sport conference later this year," said Gerry McCormac, Principal and vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, Professor.

"The event has attracted tremendous support already and it will be a valuable occasion for our students.

"It is also an example of the great work that is being done across the University to advance opportunities for women."

The idea for the conference won the National Union of Students (NUS) "Achievement of the Year" category at its Scotland Women's Awards earlier this year.

The closing date to book tickets for the event is September 30 and for more information click here.

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