Glasgow University Sports Association was founded at the University of Glasgow , Scotland, in April 1881 as the Glasgow University Athletic Club (GUAC) to promote all forms of "Athletic Exercise" in the University. It was the first of the three official organisations that represent the general body of students, antedating the Students' Union by four years and the Student Representative Council by five. It is responsible for the organisation of student sport and all students are members of the Club without paying a subscription.
A gymnasium had been built in 1872 as the result of a petition signed by about a third of the total matriculated students in the University and in 1882 its interests were amalgamated with those of GUAC. The University Playing Fields were situated at Gilmorehill until 1913 when new ground was purchased at Westerlands, Anniesland, Glasgow. The Club's headquarters are in the Stevenson Physical Education Building, Gilmorehill, but it also has a pavilion with bar at Westerlands. The Club is responsible for awarding Blues to those who represented the University in competitions and trying to cater for all types of sport in the University.
In the late 1990s, the GUAC became the Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA). In 1997, Westerlands playing fields were sold following the opening of a new sports facility at the Garscube complex, Maryhill, Glasgow. The Association is managed by a president, vice-president, honorary secretary, convenors for finance, safety, travel and publicity, and 5 ordinary members elected from the student population.
The original sections of the Club were Rugby, Athletics, Cricket, Tennis, Association Football, Shinty, Golf, Hockey, Cycling and Fives. In 2002 , the GUSA continues to be active within the University with over 45 affiliated sections which cater for any standard of ability, from complete novice to international athlete. The sections are Aikido, Association Football, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boardsailing, Boats, Boxing, Canoe, Cricket, Fencing, Golf, Hares & Hounds, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Mountaineering, Netball, Orienteering, Riding, Rifle, Rugby, Sailing, Shinty, Shorinji-kempo, Ski, Squash, Sub-aqua, Swimming and Water Polo, Table-tennis, Tennis, Trampolining, Volleyball and Weight-lifting. All sections compete in their respective Scottish Universities championships.
From the guide to the Records of the Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA), university sports club, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 1886-c1995, (Glasgow University Archive Services)
