Scholarship success for 18 student athletes

Mon 25 January, 2021

The University of Bedfordshire has awarded 18 students with Sports Scholarships for the 2020/21 academic year.

Bedfordshire’s scholarships are awarded to promising young athletes and come in three levels, ranging from ‘Talented’ to ‘Platinum’. The financial support – worth up to £1,660 for the academic year – is aimed at assisting future sportspeople, coaches and officials through their degrees, while allowing them to thrive in competitive sport.

Of the 18 scholarship recipients, six students were granted Platinum scholarship, six Gold and six Talented. All but one of this year’s successful scholars are based at the University’s Bedford campus on Polhill Avenue, which boasts specialist Sports Science labs, multiple sports training fields, four Dance studios and a Physical Education and Sport Science Centre which was used to train athletes in the 2012 Olympics.

Male	Female
8	10

Bedford Campus based	Luton Campus based
17	1

Undergraduates	Postgraduates
17	1

Talented	Gold	Platinum
6	6	6

Therapy

The scholarships not only offer financial backing, but also essential performance support such as access to Sports Science facilities – including muscle cell and molecular biology labs – and on-campus Aspire Gym Membership.

In order to be eligible for a Sports Scholarship, students must meet a number of essential criteria, including being of a regional, county, national or international standard – or having played in a British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) fixture in the last 12 months.

Stephen Pitt, Head of Sport Partnerships at the University of Bedfordshire Sport, noted that the Scholarships are of particular importance during the current challenges facing students. He said:

This year the sports scholarship panel were presented with a large selection of high quality applications and I am pleased to say the University has awarded scholarships to eighteen worthy recipients.

During this challenging time it is very important to support our student athletes and by offering this scholarship package hopefully this will allow these athletes to continue training and competing to the best of their abilities and be ambassadors for student sport at the University.

The University has granted Sports Scholarships to a number of successful students in recent years. Each have gone on to thrive in their respective fields and have explained how the scholarships helped them achieve their goals…

"When I received my Scholarship I was delighted to be recognised by the university and regarded as high as other athletes across many sports. It was fantastic to see that refereeing can be classed in that elite level of sport and be rewarded in the same way as other disciplines.

"It gave me the opportunity to work with Sean Maloney the strength and conditioning coach, who was excellent, devising up specific and relevant session plans designed around my game and what I needed to work on. The support that was given from the University helped with the travel costs allowing me to attend more meetings across the country to help me develop and improve.

"Currently I am officiating on the National Premier League, Premier League 2 and Contributory Leagues. I’ve officiated live on BT Sport, the BBC and made it onto Match of the Day in the FA Cup first round highlights. The Scholarship gave me that push to improve and take my fitness and physique to the next level and gain that extra 1% ahead of other officials.

"The Scholarship can open up so many opportunities and the support offered from the entire team at the University was top drawer. I highly recommend it to any aspiring athlete."

"I remember the day I applied for the scholarship. I was walking to my lecture in full Saracens kit – I had training straight after – when a member of the Scholarships team spotted me and chased me down to tell me about the scheme. I didn't even know I would qualify as a Postgraduate, but credit to the member of staff for approaching me as it genuinely changed my season for the better.

"When I found out I had been awarded a Platinum Scholarship I was so elated and humbled – it was a moment in my life where my efforts on and off the pitch were validated in the wider world. Being a female athlete competing in the highest domestic league for my sport is both a struggle and challenge I embrace. To receive the support from the University in the form of a Scholarship enabled me to attend more skills sessions as the financial support of the Scholarship covered the increased fuel cost. These additional sessions have been vital in my athletic development.

"Also, the educational workshops held by the University as part of the scheme were beneficial to my performance – specifically the nutritional workshops.

"I would encourage any student at the University to apply for a scholarship as it genuinely improves you as an athlete and helps enable you to push your sport and athletic career further. I would like to thank the University, with a special thanks to Sports Development Senior Officer Cherrelle Emanuel and the Scholarships team for supporting me during my MA studies and my season."

"The sports scholarship really helped me during my time at university as the financial support allowed me to compete at extra international tournaments. It also allowed me to receive a strength and conditioning programme which was tailored to my needs for my sport.

"Since finishing at the University of Bedfordshire I have moved to France to play part time alongside working with some of the children within the club.

"I would encourage others to apply for a scholarship as there are a number of benefits that can make a big difference during your time at university."

"Thanks to the team at the University, I was able to attain Gold Scholarship and was very excited to do so. I knew from the beginning that being a Scholar at this level, and at the University of Bedfordshire, was very prestigious.

"Being accepted as a Scholar assisted me massively with my training, as well as giving me financial support to help me afford my kit and other supplies needed to referee. The gym membership was particularly useful on the cold, winter nights as it still meant I could train even when I didn't want to be outside, making me ready for a Saturday afternoon. It also gave me the opportunity to officiate in the middle of Luton Town FC’s Kenilworth Road for the Students XI v VC XI game, which I didn’t previously think possible.

"I am currently teaching PE in a secondary school in Cambridge and I am a part of the FA CORE group in the central region. Acceptance into this group was helped by Scholarship as it gave me the ability to be match fit and have the equipment and training opportunities necessary.

"I would encourage others to apply for the Scholarship as there is no harm in trying! Furthermore, with what it can provide both financially, but also that sense of wellbeing. To say I am a sports scholar at a university is a great feeling, especially when there is access to sports science support and other benefits that wouldn't otherwise be accessible."

Questions about the scholarships should be directed to sportscholarships@beds.ac.uk

For more information on how to apply for Sports Scholarships at the University of Bedfordshire, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/sportbeds/scholarships/sportscholarships