Looking to combine study and sport? Applications being taken for 2015/16 Dual Career programme
Combining study and high-performance sport can be a challenge – and one that becomes even tougher if you are an unfunded athlete.
But the University of Bath Dual Career programme is helping to take the stress out of pursuing both sporting and academic excellence.
And it is clearly having a positive impact, with current student athletes enjoying national and international success across a host of sports during 2014/15 including badminton, skiing, sailing, tennis and fencing.
Organised by Team Bath Training and Development, the programme is designed to provide appropriate support as student athletes progress along their sports performance pathway while also achieving their academic goals.
As well as free access to the Sports Training Village’s world-class facilities, Dual Career students also receive reduced rates for physiotherapy and massage.
They are offered one-to-one mentoring and guidance by a dedicated lifestyle advisor, as well as relevant training, educational workshops and online learning.
And all Dual Career students are eligible to apply for a sporting scholarship at the university, providing them with more financial support.
With applications now be taken for the 2015/16 academic year, we caught up with several current Dual Career students to see how the scheme had helped them during their time at the University of Bath.
LLOYD WALLACE
Sport: Aerial skiing
Course: Sports Performance
2014/15 highlights: Europa Cup Aerials gold (Britain’s first-ever success), World Junior Championships bronze, Team Bath Athlete of the Month for March.
Additional support: Alumni Elite Athlete Fund.
“I am away for a lot of the academic year, so Dual Career really helps me organise my time. I don’t have to stress about anything – I know if I need some support it is there.
“My competition year ran from the middle of November through to the beginning of April. This is by far the most I have been away during the year but everything here at Team Bath is geared towards helping you.
“Being an unfunded athlete, even just getting access to the gym is so useful to someone like me. It is just helping so much and the facilities are just unbelievable – that is a major reason why I chose to study at Bath.”
TOM EDWARDS
Sport: Fencing
Course: Sport & Exercise Science
2014/15 highlights: Epee gold at Beazley British Championships, individual bronze and team silver for Wales at Senior Commonwealth Championships
Additional support: Santander Sports Scholar
“This season has probably been the best I’ve ever had, from winning the Commonwealth medals through to the British Championships.
“The sporting and scholarship opportunities were probably the major factors in deciding to study and train in Bath – things like the free gym membership, the training facilities, being able to park here.
“The University of Bath being the home of Pentathlon GB is particularly good for us – we get three additional training sessions a week with them, which is a huge advantage and has definitely helped me develop further.”
CHRIS HAY
Sport: Fencing
Course: Biology
2014/15 highlights: Senior World Cup debut in Paris, epee team bronze at Beazley British Championships
Additional support: Santander Sports Scholar
“The training facilities here and the opportunities the scholarship provides have been absolutely fantastic. They have enabled me to develop as a fencer and I have progressed a lot more than I would have done had I not been at the University of Bath.
“The facilities are second to none in the UK and we get to train with the university fencing club and the modern pentathletes as well. It is the perfect set-up for us.
“It was quite a large influence on my decision to study here – I love Bath as a city anyway and I liked the university but the fact there were all these opportunities and facilities here was the icing on the cake really, I didn’t want to go anywhere else.
“It seems that more and more epee fencers like us are looking at Bath and thinking there is a lot here for them. I think this whole set-up will snowball in the next couple of years. This is probably the strongest training base outside of London in my opinion.”
EMMA HURST
Sport: Tennis
Course: Sport & Exercise Science
2014/15 highlights: BUCS champion with University of Bath women’s 1st team
Additional support: Trendell Sports Scholar
“The Dual Career programme has allowed me to develop both academically and in the sporting environment, which will allow me to keep my options open in the future. I will hopefully pursue my sporting career but I will have my studies to fall back on.
“I am in my first year of a sports and exercise science course and I am really enjoying it. I have to make sure I am really organised and plan my days well but I get plenty of support and advice to help with that.
“The sporting facilities here at the University of Bath are so good, particularly the tennis programme. Being able to study and develop my tennis at the same time was definitely a big attraction to me.”
GEORGINA POVALL
Sport: Sailing
Course: Economics
2014/15 highlights: Competed at 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships, qualified for 2015 European Championships
Additional support: Bill Whiteley Sports Scholarship
“It’s great to have all these facilities on one site. Access to the gym is really helpful and [Athlete Support Officer] Jack Grundy also helps out with lifestyle support, things like moving deadlines.
“I receive the Support Services grant here, which gives me access to one-on-one strength and conditioning, and I also recently received some funding to see the sports nutritionist. That was really helpful as I am on a weight-gain programme as I need to be a bit heavier.”
ANGUS PEDERSEN
Sport: Badminton
Course: Chemical Engineering
2014/15 highlights: British call-up for World University Games, three medals at Finnish International Junior Championships, two at U19 English National Championships
Additional support: Trendell Sports Scholar
“All the opportunities are here – we have such great training and support facilities, like sports psychology and strength and conditioning,
“But education was also very important to me – Bath academically is at another level and I want to get a good degree.
“I get £1,000 a year towards travelling to tournaments and that meant I could compete in Finland and Germany this year. Without that support I would have to fund it myself and it would be very difficult to balance sport, study and a job.”
Applications are now being taken for the 2015/16 Dual Career programme. Athletes looking to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Compete in an Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth sport, or a Team Bath focus sport. Team Bath focus sports: swimming, badminton, football, netball, tennis, hockey, rugby, athletics and judo.
- Be studying a full or part-time course at the University of Bath.
- Be recognised on their national governing body (NGB) performance pathway and must be competing internationally for their country.
- Have reasonable expectation of a career in their sport and/or training requirements of more than 18 hours a week.
The application form can be filled in and returned electronically by clicking here.
