Scholarship programme inspires students to achieve sporting excellence

The stars of the future are being offered the opportunity to achieve their sporting and academic goals thanks to a new programme launched by Plymouth University.

Through the Sporting Excellence programme, students who can demonstrate recent success and future potential in their chosen sport could be awarded one of four scholarships designed to enable recipients to put 100 per cent effort into their studying and training.

They could also be given access to top facilities and coaches, thanks to the many partnerships the University enjoys with elite level sports clubs across the city and region.

The first seven scholars include sportsmen and women who have competed at Olympic and World levels, or represented their country, in swimming, rugby and sailing.

Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “Recognising sporting excellence alongside academic endeavour means we offer students access to some of the country's best coaches and training facilities. We have a fantastic record of helping students achieve their sporting goals, and this programme means we can support more in the quest for gold.”

As part of the programme, there are four Sporting Excellence Scholarships available, with awards on offer of up to £1,000, £3,000, £6,000 and £9,000 per year, depending on what level an individual has the potential to reach in their chosen sport.

The first seven Sporting Excellence scholars are: Antony James – Team GB Olympic swimmer; Brett Beukeboom – Canadian international rugby player; Peter McCoy – Team GB sailor; Jurate Screbinskaite – Lithuanian international swimmer; Hamdan Bayusuf – Kenyan international swimmer; Matthew Zammit – Maltese international swimmer; Dean Embling – British Championships swimmer.

Antony James, who represented Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012 and is studying for a Psychology degree, said: “Knowing I have the support of so many people at the University really does make every aspect of my degree, training and sport easier. Through them, I am able to manage my degree with my training and excel in both. Performing at the highest level in any sport is extremely taxing emotionally, physically and financially, however the aid the University is able and willing to give makes it all a massive amount easier.”

The Sporting Excellence Scholarships extend a commitment to sport which has seen the University agree partnerships with the city’s three professional sports teams, Plymouth Argyle FC, Plymouth Albion RFC and the Plymouth University Raiders. Its link with Plymouth Leander Swimming has cemented Plymouth’s status as one of the leading aquatic centres in the UK.

More information about the Sporting Excellence Scholarships programme is available on the Plymouth University website.