The largest-ever number of sporting scholarships have been announced by University of the West of Scotland (UWS), In 2024/25, 37 exceptional student-athletes are receiving tailored support for their sporting talents and academic potential. 

The UWS Sport Scholarship programme aims to empower dual-career athletes to excel both in their studies and in their sporting pursuits. This year, the competitive selection process attracted applicants from across the globe, cementing UWS as a destination for top-tier talent. 

Among the standout scholars for 2024/25 is Honours Year Sports and Exercise Science student Erin Bolland, a Team UWS Hall of Fame inductee and Scotland U21 Netball captain. Erin has represented her country in international tournaments and has been called up to the Scotland senior Netball squad, putting her on the path to compete in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

Also joining the prestigious programme are first-year Sports and Exercise Science student Matthew Waring, currently ranked as the Badminton World Junior No.1, and Matthew Wynne, a PGDE Physical Education student who, as an undergraduate student, captained the Scotland Cerebral Palsy Football Team to a World Championship victory. 

Our Sport Scholarship programme aims to support students with the potential to be at the top of their sport. This year’s scholars include international, national, and regional standard athletes from over 20 different sports. We are thrilled to support a record number of student-athletes in achieving their ambitions both on and off the field in 2024/25.

John McGonigal, Sports Development Manager at UWS

The UWS Sport Scholarship programme shows the University’s commitment to developing talent and promoting the success of dual-career athletes. With a mix of academic and athletic achievements, this year’s scholars embody the University’s ethos of ambition and excellence. 

The UWS Sport Scholarship programme aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being and Goal 4: Quality Education. By supporting dual-career athletes, UWS fosters an environment that promotes physical and mental well-being while ensuring access to quality education. The programme reflects the university's commitment to Goal 5: Gender Equality by championing diverse talent and providing equal opportunities for student-athletes to thrive in both their academic and sporting pursuits.

For more information about the UWS Sport Scholarship programme and how it supports high-performing student-athletes, visit https://www.uws.ac.uk/money-fees-funding/uws-scholarships-bursaries-other-sources-of-funding/sport-scholarship/.

 

Full list of 2024-25 UWS Sport Scholars 

Victoria Otterson          Archery

Olivia Kendal                Archery

Jonathon Downey        Athletics

Haley Elliott                  Athletics

Sophie Evans                Athletics

Jordan Phillips               Athletics

Jamie Connor                 Athletics

Dawn Russell                 Athletics

Toni Woods                    Badminton

Brooke Stalker                Badminton

Matthew Waring             Badminton

Dilyn Becker                   Basketball

Darcell Mcfarlane           Basketball

Ryan Grant                     Basketball

Callum Brand                  Basketball

Foday-Bai Kamara         Basketball

Matthew Wynne             Cerebral Palsy Football

Stephanie Donnelly        Cheerleading

Anne Sturgess                Cricket

Oliver Walker                  Cycling

Molly Rowe                      Dance

Kayla Jardine                   Football

Andrew Dickie                  Gymnastics

Anna Winter                      Hockey

Emily Luck                        Ice Hockey

Solomon Rice                  Ju Jitsu/Judo  

Matthew Sweeney            Judo

Sarah Brand                     Karate

Erin Bolland                     Netball

Viktoria Elohegyi             Olympic Weightlifting

Jemima Adeniyi              Powerlifting

Daniel Lauchlan              Powerlifting

Hollie Smith                     Snowboarding

Fraser Jamieson             Snowboarding

Kiyla Young                     Trampoline

Harry Orr                          Volleyball