1 November 2005

Dundee University Student selected for Scotland Squad

Ross Clark, a first year student at the University of Dundee, has been selected to swim for Scotland at next year's Commonwealth Games in Australia.

18-year-old Ross, a former pupil at Dundee's Harris Academy, will compete in the 50m breast stroke event at the 2006 games in Melbourne in March.

A member of the University's Excel sports scholarship team Ross, who is studying Applied Computing, already has experience of competing at international level having been a member of the Great Britain team at this summer's European Junior Championships in Hungary.

The promising young athlete is now planning to compete in the US National Championships and train in Australia and Spain in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

Ross will be able to combine his tough training schedule with his studies thanks to the University's scholarship programme.

"The scholarship has allowed me to study part-time so that I can take time off to train and compete," said the talented teenager. "I also have a lap-top so that I can work when I'm away from home."

Kirsteen Cruickshanks, sports scholarship coordinator with the university's Institute of Sport and Exercise said, "Gaining selection for the Commonwealth Games at such a young age is evidence of Ross's potential and commitment to excellence."

"The University is proud of Ross's achievement and will work to enable him to combine his academic studies with his swimming."

The Excel Sports Scholarship Programme has been running for seven years and provides support to talented athletes studying at the University. Ross is one of nine students awarded a scholarship this year.

For further information contact:

Hilary McNally

University of Dundee Press Office
01382 344021
h.mcnally@dundee.ac.uk