The University of Leeds Sports Scholars have been awarded their scholarships by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Education, Jeff Grabill at the annual sports scholars evening.
On Tuesday 8 March everyone gathered together to celebrate all of our wonderful scholars and their sporting achievements. The evening not only focused on current scholars, but past students of Leeds who have gone on to achieve great sporting success.
Head of Sport, Suzanne Glavin said;
It’s always a great privilege to present our gifted and talented student athletes with their scholarships at a special celebratory event. In conjunction with our colleagues across the University and LUU, the event recognises and celebrates the remarkable achievements of all of 63 scholars as well as providing inspirational speakers, especially alumni Sam Dickinson who once sat where they are now.
This year the University has 63 students from across 43 different degree courses and 20 sports ranging from figure skating, climbing and bobsleigh, to cricket and football. They compete at a range of competitions as individuals and also represent the University with their club teams, whilst working towards both their sporting goals and their academic studies. All scholars are supported by our Sports Scholarship Programme to help and guide them in achieving their goals to the highest of their ability, both within their sport and their academia.
In netball, Sienna Rushton was named in the Roses Futures programme for 2021-22 and starting seven in new netball super-league for Leeds Rhinos. In her career she has gained three senior caps for England.
In swimming, Team GB Paralympic swimmer Zara Mullooly competed in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics walking away with 4th place in the 400m freestyle and the 4 x 100m medley. This follows her successes at both the 2018 European Championships and 2019 World Championships.
Recent alumni and triathlete Sam Dickinson also attended the event, speaking to current scholars about his experience whilst at Leeds and offering up some invaluable advice about how to balance being an elite sporting scholar, with completing a degree.
Our Sports Scholarship programme provides all of our athletes with a personalised package to support them during their time at Leeds. This includes a personal mentor to help ensure they are maintaining a healthy balance between their sporting career and their academic studies. In addition, they receive free access to The Edge to help with their fitness, health and wellbeing, plus a bespoke bursary to ensure they can manage the financial demands of performance sport.
