21 February 2011

Nominations for 2011-12 sport scholarships now open

Talented student athletes from the University of Dundee have been invited to apply for national scholarship support.

‘Winning Students’, Scotland's national sports scholarship programme, supports student athletes with annual funding of up to £5,500 to help them achieve their sporting and academic goals.

Scholarships are provided in a number of sports and, as Dundee is a member of the Winning Students network, its students are entitled to apply for individual assistance.

Athletics star Sarah Kelly is in the first year of a History and International Relations degree at the University of Dundee. The Fife teenager finished seventh in the 800m finals at the 2010 World Junior Championships and was selected for a Winning Students scholarship.

"When I did well at the World Juniors that gave me a taste of what the future can hold, but I can't just sit back now and expect it all to come together,” she said.

“The Winning Students scholarship is a massive help, enabling me to compete in more events in England and abroad, where the standard of competition will push me to perform even better and hopefully be at the front fighting for the medals."

Athletes in the Winning Students core sports of badminton, golf, hockey, judo, orienteering, squash, swimming, triathlon and women's football are nominated directly by their governing body and should not apply individually.

Athletes in non-core sports must have either attained the following level in their sport, or demonstrated the potential to compete at that level:

• Top 25 at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or World Championships.
• Top 15 at the European Championships or Commonwealth Games.
• Top 5 at the World University Games or World University Championships.

For 2011-12 applications, consideration will be given to athletes in contention to compete in any discipline, including team sports, at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To be considered for a 2011-12 individual scholarship, scholars should check the general selection criteria for education and non-sporting requirements. Athletes in the process of applying to study at the University in the 2011/12 academic year are also eligible.

The nomination process closes on 15th April 2011, and forms can be submitted by the athlete, governing body of sport or college or university, but must carry a signature from all three parties to be considered. Anyone not yet at college or university should provide proof of application (college) or a UCAS number (university).

Representatives of the Winning Students Advisory Board will consider the nominated athletes and selection for an individual scholarship will be confirmed in early October 2011.

More information is available by visiting www.winningstudents-scotland.ac.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277