High performance athletes have to dedicate so much of themselves to ensure they are physically, mentally and technically prepared for competition. However, most individuals only see the athlete at their peak when they compete a handful of times throughout the year. What about all the hours of pain and suffering perfecting a move, lifting weights, analysing skills, sacrificing parties, watching what they eat and drink, going to bed early or pushing themselves until they are physically sick - we don’t see this part of them. This is the unglamorous part of being an athlete.
Now imagine having to do all of this alongside a degree where the athlete also has to go to lectures and seminars. They have to prepare presentations, lab reports, assignments, essays, research papers, or prepare a teaching lesson. Add this to the many other expectations of being a student, not least the fact that many students need to work to be able to fund their education, and achieveing sporting ambitions is definitely not an easy task. Sadly, when something has to give, it's usually the sporting performance.
However, help could be at hand. What if the University you wanted to go to had a sports scholarship scheme that could potentially help you to achieve your sporting goals and support you financially so that you did not have to get a job?
This is exactly what the University of Chester offers to high performing athletes. If you compete at a high level, you could be eligible for one of our sports scholarships. Some of our current scholarship students spoke to us about what it has meant to them; read Laura's, Maisy's and George's stories about the difference the scholarships have made to their time at University.
We have a variety of packages on offer, all designed to support and enhance a student athlete’s needs and ambitions. They are broken into these three distinct levels:
Gold
• Financial support of up to £3,000
• Strength & Conditioning sessions
• Free fitness suite membership
• Access to resident sports therapist
• Athlete education workshops
• Mentorship from The Transition Phase
• Athlete kit package
• Access to sport science support
Silver
• Financial support of up to £1,000
• Strength & Conditioning sessions
• Free fitness suite membership
• Access to resident sports therapist
• Athlete education workshops
• Mentorship from The Transition Phase
• Athlete kit package
Bronze
• Free fitness suite membership
• Access to resident sports therapist
• Athlete education workshops
• Mentorship from The Transition Phase
Current and potential students can apply online via www.chester.ac.uk/sportscholarships.
Each applicant will need to complete the online application form and send in a two-minute video of why they feel they should be awarded a sports scholarship.
For further information please contact our High-Performance Unit via email sportscholarships@chester.ac.uk
Who knows you could be our next Student Athlete Sports Scholar and avail of these amazing opportunities.
