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20 Dec 2006 13:05:18
Olympic ice hockey hopeful, Julian Smith, has been awarded a sport scholarship from the University of Bedfordshire to give him a helping hand in pursuing his career.
The 19-year-old, from Sawtry in Huntingdon, is a major force in the Peterborough Phantoms and also represents Great Britain (GB) in the Under 20s squad.
He has just returned from competing in the European Ice Hockey Championships in Italy where GB won bronze and he hopes to play at the London 2012 Olympics.
He was awarded £1,500, along with fellow students who represent England or GB in their chosen sport, at the Bedford Sports Awards last week, hosted by Bedford Borough Council and Sport Bedford.
Julian is currently in the second year of his degree at the University where he is training to become a PE teacher. He wanted to become an ice hockey player from the age of ten after watching a film about the sport. He took up ice skating lessons at the local ice rink in Peterborough and within a couple of months, was accepted onto the Peterborough Phantom’s junior team.
He said: “I love playing ice hockey and it would be my dream come true to play in the Olympics. The scholarship from the University will help towards my travel costs, as team GB trains in Sheffield and I travel all over the country to compete in the league with the Phantoms. It will also allow me to buy some new equipment, as skates and sticks can be quite expensive.”
The University’s Sport Scholarship Scheme pays students up to £1,500 a year to support their sports commitments during their studies. The scholarship scheme also recognises athletes on the fringes of national selection, including those who participate in development squads or training camps.
Dr Gordon Mellor, Senior Lecturer at the School of Physical Education and Sport, who presented the scholarships, said: “We have a long tradition of sporting excellence at the University and we are very pleased to be helping students fulfil their potential at national level, building hopefuls for the 2012 London Olympics, like Julian.”
The University’s Sport Scholarships have assisted former sports students including rugby star, Maggie Alphonsi, who was last month named Women’s Rugby Personality of the Year at the International Rugby Board’s Awards ceremony, for her impressive performance in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The grants have also helped Korean martial arts champion, Noreen Khan, who won the world title in 2004 and 2006.
For further information about the University’s Sport Scholarships Scheme, contact Didi Strain, School of PE and Sport Sciences Administrator, on 01234 400400
Latest news» 2006» Dec» Uni gives Peterborough Phantom a helping hand
