Sport Scholarship

The Sport Scholarship programme at UWS aims to support those with the potential to be at the top of their sport. Criteria eligibility includes international, national and regional standard athletes with additional funding available for those performing at regional level with aspirations to national and international standards.

UWS Sport Scholarships will provide financial scholarships as well as support for student athletes to access the University's sports facilities, educational workshops, and sports science/medicine support.

A Sport Scholarship will help you to:

  • combine a high level sporting career with academic achievement
  • achieve your full potential in the sporting and academic arenas
  • raise your profile and that of the University in the sporting and academic arenas

GOLD AWARD

Stephen Newns (Boxing)

Stephen is a 4th year Sport and Exercise Science student at UWS’ Lanarkshire Campus. The boxer has represented Scotland at junior and senior level, most notably at the 2022 Birmingham and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Stephen has also represented Scotland and GB at European and World Championships as well as picking up multiple medals at the Scottish Elite Open Championships, British Championships and at international championships. The Sport Scholarship Programme provided Stephen with the support to balance his studies and his boxing commitments within the Boxing Scotland Performance Pathway.

Savannah Antoine (Netball)

The UWS Sport Scholarship allowed Savannah to focus on her Netball commitments whilst completing her Sport and Exercise degree. Savannah has represented Scotland at the Netball Youth World Cup and at the European Championships and co-captained the national team against The Isle of Man. The Scottish international had the opportunity to balance education with professional aspirations as she was involved in the professional Vitality Netball Superleague Sirens side training and development programme.

SILVER AWARD

Ross Connelly (Wrestling)

Ross, a Lanarkshire Campus Sport and Exercise Science student, secured his second Commonwealth Games selection at Birmingham 2022, where he debuted in 2018 at the Gold Coast Games. Ross was Scotland’s top athlete at the 2017 Commonwealth Wrestling Championships where he took home Bronze. He then went on to win Gold at the British Championships and Silver at the British Open. The Sport Scholarship programme has supported Ross with the academic flexibility needed to balance his education with elite level training.

Jaylen Franklin (Basketball)

Jaylen has competed at the highest level of collegiate basketball in Scotland and the USA, earning a Scholarship to the prestigious National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division 1 programme, University of Massachusetts. Jaylen looked for his next opportunity of pursuing professional basketball or furthering his education and was able to combine education and preparation for a professional career through the UWS Sport Scholarship. Jaylen guided Team UWS Basketball to the Scottish National Championship and BUCS Tier 1 title whilst completing his Masters in Social Science.

BRONZE AWARD

Annabel Simpson (Athletics)

Annabel, a PhD student with a Dentistry background, had a stellar season where she took home the Scottish Universities 5k Championship and topped her season off as she met the Team Scotland Commonwealth Games qualification. Annabel took home three 5k, three 10k and a Half Marathon title in a medal laden season. Annabel was supported by the Sport Scholarship to pursue sport and education at the highest level.

Hayden McAvoy (Kickboxing)

The Lanarkshire Campus kickboxer had a solid season in 2021-22, where the Sport Scholarship played a key role in supporting Hayden to medal success. Taking home one of Team UWS’ three Scottish National Championships, as he lifted the World Kickboxing Association Scottish Championship. The support through the Scholarship allowed Hayden to focus on his training towards a National Championship whilst receiving the academic flexibility and support when needed.

AIMS

  • Attract the very best student athletes to the University of the West of Scotland and to assist these students to combine a high level sporting career with academic achievement
  • Assist high performing students achieve their full potential in the sporting and academic arenas
  • Help raise the profile and reputation of the University in the sporting and academic arenas
  • Raise the expectation/aspirations of athletes

OBJECTIVES

  • To attract new talented athletes to study at the University of the West of Scotland due to an effective, supportive and well managed programme
  • To use the expertise within UWS to improve athlete performance
  • To work with partners to improve athlete performance
  • To assist student performers with academic and lifestyle issues

GOLD AWARD

This award is for elite level athletes who receive adequate support elsewhere (NGB, Institute, winning students). These athletes are encouraged to compete for the University and are expected to profile and highlight the support they receive from the university at any appropriate opportunity (eg media interviews/profiles etc)

What you receive:

  • A financial award (travel, equipment etc)
  • Subsidised Sports science, sports medicine and strength and conditioning support
  • Educational workshop programme
  • Academic liaison
  • Team UWS Branded clothing
  • Free access to UWS sports facilities

Gold Criteria:

National or International Standard

SILVER AWARD

This awards is for athletes who do not receive significant funding or support but demonstrate the potential to become successful at International level and are expected to compete for the University.

Applications to be supported by:

  • Current level of performance (eg placings, personal bests, times, distances.
    Evidence of progression)
  • External references (eg from your coach, manager, NGB)

What you receive:

  • A financial award (travel, equipment etc)
  • Subsidised Sports science, sports medicine and strength and conditioning support
  • Educational workshop programme
  • Academic liaison
  • Team UWS Branded clothing
  • Free access to UWS sports facilities

Silver Criteria:

National Standard

BRONZE AWARD

This award is for athletes who do not receive significant funding or support but demonstrate the potential to become successful at National level and are expected to compete for the University.

Applications to be supported by:

  • Current level of performance (eg placings, personal bests, times, distances.
    Evidence of progression)
  • External references (eg from your coach, manager, NGB)

What you receive:

  • A financial award (travel, equipment etc)
  • Subsidised Sports science, sports medicine and strength and conditioning support
  • Educational workshop programme
  • Academic liaison
  • Team UWS Branded clothing

Bronze Criteria:

Demonstrate the potential for success at national level

Application & Selection

To apply for a sport scholarship please fill out our application form

Apply

 

  • shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview
  • successful candidates will be notified and sign an agreement form

The Selection Committee includes our Head of Sport & Student Engagement, Sports Project Manager, a representative from the academic sports staff and the Team UWS Sports President.

Please note: Awarding sport scholarships is a competitive process. Meeting the criteria does not mean you will automatically receive a scholarship.

Last updated: 05/10/2023