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21 Dec 2007 08:59:35
Olympic high jump hopeful, Simon Hemmings, has been awarded a sport scholarship from the University of Bedfordshire to help him achieve his potential in the sport.
Simon, from Ashingdon in Essex, has been competing for Essex Senior Athletics Team since he was 17 and last year he finished third in the National Indoor Championships.
The 19-year-old was awarded £1,000 at a ceremony last week with fellow students at the Bedford Sports Award, which was hosted by Bedford Borough Council and Sport Bedford.
He said: “I love high jumping and my aim is to compete in London at the 2012 Olympics. I first started jumping when I was at primary school and have been doing it ever since. The scholarship from the University will help me with my entry fees and travel costs, which will come in particularly handy as I have been invited to compete in Holland and Italy next year.”
Simon is currently in the second year of a Sports Studies degree at the University and would like to work in athletics development after graduating. He would like to raise awareness of British athletes and also work as a sporting advisor.
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 attract high-calibre 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.”
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
· 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.
For further information about the University’s Sport Scholarships Scheme visit www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/money/funding/scholarships
Latest news» 2007» December» Uni gives Essex high jumper one less hurdle to jump
