Dee Bradbury - Honorary Doctorate
Dee Bradbury has today received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Highlands and Islands in recognition of her leadership work in sport at a local, national and international level.
The award was presented to Ms Bradbury by Professor Crichton Lang, Deputy Principal of the University at the Graduation Ceremony of Argyll College UHI in Dee’s hometown of Oban.
In August this year Ms Bradbury became the first female President of the Scottish Rugby Union, and is also the first female leader of any Tier 1 rugby playing nation in the world. She has been Scottish Rugby’s representative to Rugby Europe and is also on the Women’s Committee for Rugby Europe. An accomplished athlete, Dee has represented Scotland and GB in athletics as junior and Masters Level, and has previously managed Scotland Women U18.
She has spent her working life since 1984 in based in Oban, Argyll where she has championed and encouraged women and girls to play sport, as well as leading and administering sporting activities for everyone. She was a Police Officer with Strathclyde Police and latterly Police Scotland and is now retired.
A founding member of the women’s section at Oban Lorne R.F.C., Dee went on to occupy several Committee roles within the club and is now Honorary President of Oban Lorne R.F.C. She has previously held the positions of Chair within Oban Netball Club, Oban Athletics Club and The Lorne Highland Games.
On receiving the award MS Bradbury said. "I feel exceptionally honoured to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Highland and Islands, and even more so to have my family to witness the ceremony. Sport has been a major part of my life for many years and I am truly blessed by some of the friendships and experiences I have had as a result of my involvement. Little did I think when I took up rugby at the age of 38 that I would receive this accolade. The fact that we live in relatively rural locations should not preclude us from success or personal development. The calibre of all the graduates today is evidence of this. Many have co-ordinated their studies with challenges such as geography, family responsibilities and professional demands. I feel humbled to have been part of this wonderful occasion. Thank you so very much."
Professor Crichton Lang, Deputy Principal of the University of the Highlands and Islands, presented Dee with the honorary award. He said, “Dee is a fantastic example of what can be achieved from a Highland base. She is a role model for our region’s sportspeople and has made an outstanding contribution to her local community and the Highlands and Islands as a whole. We are delighted to recognise her contribution with the award of an Honorary Doctorate.”
Andrew Campbell, Chair of the Board of Governors of Argyll College UHI, commented: “We are delighted that Dee has been able to join us today to receive this Honorary Award. Dee’s achievements would have been remarkable had she been based in the central belt but she has reached the top of Scottish rugby from a small, remote rural club and in doing so has encouraged many other small clubs to aim high.