Sports Scholarship - University of Chester

Sports Scholarship Past recipients 2012/13 The 2012/13 Sports Scholarship recipients. From left to right: Leigh Evans (Cheerleading), Ivan Georgiev (Swimming), Amy Gittins (Triathlon), Niel Gillard (Basketball), Cheryl Wilson (Swimming), Callum Yorke (Rugby Union), Elizabeth Stuart (Volleyball). Callum Yorke Sport: Rugby Union Programme: 2nd year, BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences Callum plays for Chester RUFC and Cheshire Under 20’s squad. "I've being playing rugby for many years and have been lucky enough to be a part of Chester RUFC's 1st team squad this season following a successful cup win with the Senior Colts in the previous season. I have been a part of the Cheshire age-­‐grade set up since my move to University in 2011. The scholarship has helped me massively this season, especially with covering travel costs and fees associated with my sport. It has also helped me gain access to both on and off the field coaching and equipment in order to aid my development as a hooker." Leah Evans Sport: Cheerleading Programme: 1st year, BA Events Management Leah cheers for Sharon Ann Cheer Academy and Chester Vixens Cheerleaders. She is a level 1 and level 2 cheer coach, a level 3 fitness instructor and teaches health related activities. “I got into Cheerleading from doing years of gymnastics being taken to see the ‘Bring it on’ cheerleading films. I always wanted to be a cheerleader like the Americans. After doing years of hard gymnastics training I hurt my back and decided to stop because gymnastics is a ‘young’ sport and as I got older my body couldn’t really take it. I couldn’t participate in sport so I decided to attend a local cheer club. My back got better and I have been cheerleading for the past four years. I have won first place and grand champion in many competitions around the country, represented Great Britain in Paris and took part in the Disney Land Paris parade. I have been to a Florida cheer camp to train and recently my team have won 1st place and grand champions in Bolton and Loughborough this year. The scholarship has helped me so much and I am so grateful to have been chosen for it. Without this scholarship I would not have been able to afford to carry on training back home or with the University and would have had to give up all together. The scholarship allows me to carry on doing something I love. Being away at University which is rather expensive, there is no way I would have been able to afford the expenses of cheerleading. This has allowed me to carry on and grab more opportunities cheerleading has given me this year. Thank you!” Niel Gillard Sport: Basketball Programme: 2nd year, LLB Law Niel plays for Cheshire BBL Basketball Club. He is a level 2 basketball coach, referee and table official. “I first started playing basketball when I was eight years old when I visited my friend and went to a basketball session with him. I have been hooked ever since and it has dominated my spare time, playing for several teams up to three years above my age. In the ten years playing prior to coming to University of Chester I represented England on several occasions and played for Cheshire’s professional team. In addition I have played and captained many good teams, winning 5 English Schools National Championships, winning the Interregional Tournament with the North-­‐
West and finishing runners-­‐up in England Basketball League U18 Men’s National Championship. The Sports Scholarship has helped me to continue playing basketball at the highest level whilst studying. It has funded the purchasing of game and training equipment, as well as physiotherapy and transport costs.” Elizabeth Stuart Sport: Volleyball Programme: 1st year, BSc Wildlife Conservation and Ecology “Lizzie plays for the Ladies team of Newcastle Staffs Volleyball Club where she competes in Division 1 of the National Volleyball League. With the club she has reached 2 under 18's National Finals, won one and won the Ladies Shield National Final. She has competed twice in Holland in an International Youth Tournament. Outside of the club she is in the England Development Squad and has represented West Midlands in an Inter-­‐
Regional competition and Central England at the UK School Games. “The scholarship has provided me with the access to funding and support if needed and has helped me to pay for club membership fees, equipment and competition costs. As volleyball is not very common, I often need to travel large distances to train and compete, especially in National League. Equipment is very specialist and expensive and as I am performing and training very often, my equipment become worn out and needs replacing frequently.” Amy Gittins Sport: Triathlon Programme: 3rd year, BSc Nutrition and Dietetics Amy is a member of Chester Triathlon Club and participated in the July 2012 Deva Divas Sprint Triathlon. In July 2011 she qualified for the European Championship Sprint Triathlon. Since last year she has achieved her goal of top 10 placings in her age group in all her competitions. Every year Amy competes nationally at the National Relay Championships for Chester Triathlon Club. Ivan Georgiev Sport: Swimming Programme: 2nd year, BSc Mathematics with Sport & Exercise Sciences Ivan won two silver medals at the July 2011 Bulgarian National, a bronze at the 2012 Bulgarian National Mens and a bronze at the 2012 Essex County Championship. The scholarship had funded his swimwear, travel, gym membership and competition entries. “I've been swimming for over 10 years, it’s up to the stage where I can’t live without it. For the past 2 years I have had a shoulder problem and the scholarship has helped me to get all the supplements and medicine I need to get through the problem. Also it has helped me get stronger via the University fitness facilities and has paid for transport to the Bulgarian Nationals, where I made the final.” Cheryl Wilson Sport: Swimming Programme: 1st year, BA Primary with QTS Cheryl swims for Chester Academy Swimming Club and is a member of the University Swimming, Water Polo and Fencing club. She represented Lincolnshire at the National County Team Championships where she was County Captain. In the last 12 months she has also competed in the National Arena Swimming League, Senior Lincs League (representing South Lincs Competitive Swimming Club), the National Youth Championships and the Welsh Summer Nationals. Cheryl uses the scholarship to develop an improved training regime as well as to fund travelling to higher grade meets and updating her kit.