Case Studies: Sporting Excellence
Entrance and On-Course Scholarships in Sporting Excellence celebrate students who have demonstrated determination, commitment and achievement in sport.
Scholarships have been awarded in recognition of successes which include a disabled athlete becoming the British Shot Putt Record Holder, a skilled martial artist rising through the levels from white belt to World Champion, and a keen golfer enjoying success in the Scottish Open Amateur Championships and captaining the England Schools Team.
One student recognised for sporting excellence has shown tremendous courage in overcoming a brain haemorrhage to play foundation rugby for Widnes Vikings and pursue a professional rugby league contract.
You can find out more about two of our Sporting Excellence scholars by reading their profiles below.
Paul Howard
From the time he was running round the house practising swings with a tiny toy club his grandad had made, Paul Howard knew he wanted to play golf. Now, thanks to a Sporting Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill, he can study for a business degree while nurturing his natural talent for the game.
At 13 Paul was the youngest golfer to play for the Lancashire County Under-15 Team. He was the English Schools Golf Association's Northern Regional Champion in 2007 and was chosen to captain the English Schools Team for international fixtures against Scotland and Wales, despite being one of the youngest in the team.
Paul has made many sacrifices for golf along the way - even his love of playing football. "There isn't much time for anything else in between practising, competing and now studying," he says. "I had to give up playing football to concentrate on golf and I've never had much of a social life - but it's the highest paid sport in the world so, hopefully, I can enjoy those things when I retire rich from the game!"
Paul now plays for the Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club Scratch team and has his sights set on the British Amateur Championships in May 2011 and, perhaps, a place in the England elite squad.
After finishing joint 17th from 120 competitors, in the Scottish Open Amateur Championships and 3rd in the Hampshire Hog this year, Paul is currently ranked 2000th in the world. His plan is to be in the top 100 next year.
"To go up in the rankings you have to play a certain number of tournaments," says Paul. "I currently play around 20 a year. With travel, accommodation and competition fees, it can get quite expensive. The scholarship money will help towards the costs of competing and, hopefully, help me achieve my golfing goals.
"I plan to make full use of the fantastic sporting facilities while I'm at Edge Hill and get involved in golf at the University. If there isn't a golf team, I might even set one up myself."
Sean Clare
Being born with dwarfism hasn't deterred Sean Clare from reaching his full potential as an athlete. Now he is celebrating news that he's in Great Britain's Paralympics team and has been given a Sporting Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University.
From a young age, the 18-year-old from Widnes has always loved sports and has tried everything from football to swimming. He admits he wasn't "too good" at these but quickly realised he had a talent for shot putt.
As a disabled athlete, Sean is extremely focused, participating in able-bodied competitions to help push himself to the highest possible level.
This drive to excel has paid dividends and Sean already has many outstanding achievements to his name. As well as being part of the Great Britain Development Squad, he is a double World Junior gold medallist in shot putt and discus and is the British Record Holder in the shot putt.
"I've never let my condition to get in the way of enjoying my life" said Sean. "From the age of six I've always been involved in sports and enjoy all aspects of training. With the shot putt I've really worked my way up and from the distances I'd been throwing I knew I was in with a good chance of competing in the Paralympics. I love competing and that feeling of winning is like no other so I'm delighted that I've been picked for Great Britain."
In the words of his coach, "Sean is a very talented young athlete who will, without a doubt, compete in the Paralympics whether it be London 2012 or Rio 2016." There is no doubt that Sean has a bright future in athletics but he is also determined to achieve his academic ambitions.
Sean, who is studying for a BA (Hons) Sports Development degree, has shown in abundance sheer determination, commitment and achievement towards everything that he does, which is why he has been given the scholarship.
When he found out the news, he said: "I couldn't believe it, I was so surprised. The scholarship will really help me with competitions and to realise my ambitions of taking part in the Paralympics."
He plans to use the scholarship to help him continue his athletics training during his study at Edge Hill and enable him to continue on his path towards recognising his dream of competing at the highest level as a future Paralympian.
Course: BA (Hons) Sports Development
Sporting Excellence Scholarships: Prospective Students | Current Students
