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Scholarships for Olympic hopefuls

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Scholarships for Olympic hopefuls

5 Dec 2007 15:49:50

Sports Personality of the Year award winners

Sport stars of the future will be awarded scholarships at the annual Bedford Sports Awards on Monday (10 Dec).

Nine University of Bedfordshire students who compete nationally and internationally in their chosen sport, will be presented with grants under the University’s Sport Scholarship Scheme. Students are given 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.

The ceremony hosted by Bedford Borough Council will take place at the Corn Exchange, where the town will be celebrating its local sporting heroes.

Dr Gordon Mellor, Principal Lecturer in Sport, who will be presenting the scholarships, said: “We have a long tradition of sporting excellence at the University and a high calibre of sports students. We are very pleased to be helping students fulfil their potential at national level, building hopefuls for the 2012 London Olympics, and helping those on the fringes to break through to national level. The grants go towards training and competing, and athletes from any sport can apply.”

Julian Smith in action

Among the sport scholars are:

  • Lucy Cadge, 20 – represented England as captain of the Under 17 and Under 19 netball squads. Last year she won Sports Personality of the Year at the awards and this month will compete in trials for the England team
  • Julian Smith, 20 – represented Great Britain (GB) in Under 18 and Under 20 ice hockey team, gaining a bronze medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship in Italy this year. He has been invited to attend a training camp for the GB Men’s Hockey Team, and if successful, will compete in the 2008 championships
  • Marnie Woolhead, 20 – competes in the English Federation of Body Builders (UKBFF) and British Natural Bodybuilding Federation (BNBF) championships
  • Simon Hemmings 19 - GB Under 20 Men’s high jumper, ranked ninth in the country
  • Rebecca Hall, 20 – represents England as a middle distance runner and was Midlands Under 20 800m bronze medallist last year
  • Ryan Storey, 22 - one of the fastest swimmers in the country, swims for Corby Amateur Swimming Club and is a national hopeful
  • Lee Parry, 20 – represented the Great British Colleges Under 19 team, is a winger for National League One side Coventry, and was put forward for England student trials this year
  • Kieran Davies, 27 – plays rugby for Germany and Hertford RFC, London Division One club
  • Jonathan Raven, 22 – former England Under 18 Rugby Union player and currently plays for Ampthill and District RUFC which was promoted to the Midlands League Two this season

The University’s Sport Scholarships have assisted former sports students including rugby star Maggie Alphonsi, who was 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 last year.

The grants have also helped rugby ace Ben Jones pursue his career to play for Premiership team Northampton Saints and National Division One club, Doncaster Knights. Noreen Khan, also received a grant and went on to become World Champion in Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art, winning the title in 2006 and 2004.

For further information about the University’s Sport Scholarships Scheme visit www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/funding/scholarships

Bedfordshire University

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