The Central Scotland Institute of Sport (CSIS) is delighted to announce Craig Faill as its new manager.

Faill, who takes over from the recently retired Allan Campbell, moves to the post from Aberdeen where he was Grampian Institute of Sport Manager for four years.

With a blend of sports administration and former coaching posts, including Head of School of Leisure Industries at Forth Valley College and Head Coach for the Scotland Senior Women's Volleyball Squad which reached the final of the European C Division Championships, Faill is the ideal candidate to take the CSIS forwards.  

“I’m delighted to be back,” he said.  “It’s been easy picking up working relationships because I was a member of the CSIS management group when I was at Forth Valley College.  

“I know the area very well and the principles of the job are the same as they were in Grampian.  The difference is getting to know the athletes, service providers and partners.”

The CSIS is one of six Scottish Area Institutes of Sport which forms an integral part of sportscotland’s institute of sport network.

Established in 2001 and supporting over 400 athletes, the Area Institute of Sport network works with partners to build greater success for Scottish sport.  Its expert teams work together to deliver essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and career and lifestyle guidance.

The network supports Scottish governing body-identified athletes as they progress along their sporting pathway. Supported athletes have achieved an impressive array of medals at junior British, European and World Championships.  

The CSIS’s recently supported athletes include British Davis Cup tennis player, Jamie Murray, and Slamannan World Championship water-skier, Nicole Arthur. 

“We have some very solid athletes amongst the 40 we currently support in CSIS,” said Faill.  “At the moment we are particularly strong in basketball, kayak, swimming and triathlon.  Our athletes from these sports are on GB programmes with the potential to compete in London 2012. A number are ear-marked for Glasgow 2014.”

Faill takes over the CSIS’s head role, based at Stirling University, at a time when he believes expertise and facilities are better than ever. 

“With athletes from over 20 sports now supported by the network, the depth of knowledge is immense,” he said.

“Since the Area Institute of Sport network began in 2001 our providers have developed excellent understanding and expertise of what is required to take an athlete to the top level.”

Said Raleigh Gowrie from Stirling University, one of the CSIS’s partners, “Craig’s appointment as Central Scotland Institute of Sport Manager is very positive. He is aware of the high performance sports network from his previous employment with the Grampian Institute of Sport.

“Furthermore, he knows the Forth Valley area well from his time at the erstwhile Falkirk College. I am confident that he can build on the relationships and structures established by Allan Campbell and lead the Central Scotland Institute of Sport at an exciting time for Scottish sport.”