On your marks, get set, go…Newest team of elite athletes kickstart their scholarship at UON

Welcome to the University of Northampton’s newest Elite Athlete Scholars!

Each year, the Northampton Energy Elite Athlete Scholarship gives up to 20 UON students from any subject area who are already competing at county-standard level or above a programme of dedicated advice and support from a team of UON experts informed by the latest research to help them ‘up’ their game.

This network of professional insight and knowledge includes performance testing with state-of-the-art equipment, strength and conditioning, free treatment at UON’s Sports Rehabilitation and Injury Clinic, nutrition workshops, flexible learning options to balance study and sport, media training and more.

The new recruits are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Maisie Summers-Newton and Georgie Brayshaw who, after studying at the University of Northampton and pursuing their sports, forged their passion into gold in Swimming and Rowing at this year’s Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

Zara Atkin, who is studying Paramedic Science, is one of this year’s cohort and her specialism is touch rugby. At her induction day on 27 September, Zara reflected on her journey so far: “I’m currently in my second-year of studies at the University of Northampton, and am excited to get involved with the Elite Athlete Scholarship.

“It’s difficult juggling my studies and placement at Northampton General Hospital alongside my training for competing in touch rugby, but I’m excited to get stuck in and take advantage of everything offered through the scholarship.

“The scheme will be really beneficial for helping me to balance my studies and sport. I’m looking forward to developing my training, raising my fitness and competing at an even higher level.”

This year, these newest recruits look forward to benefitting from enhanced support for sports such as basketball, skiing, snowboarding, distance running and kayaking.

Applied Sport Scientist and Lead for the Elite Athlete Scholarship, Luke Callis explains: “This scholarship offers our student athletes a support network which enables them to balance the demands of performance sport with academic study – study which doesn’t have to be Sport. We have students studying Accounting and Finance, Architectural Technology and Primary Education – even Paramedic Science, like Zara.

“We’re in our third year of the scholarship and can already reflect on the Gold medals secured at national and international competitions, as well as personal and world records which have been smashed at World Championships.

“This year alone, our students have achieved fantastic things across a wide range of sporting specialisms, and it’s a pleasure to work alongside the students and push them to be the best they can be.

“Here at the UON, we are extremely proud of all our athlete scholars, and I’m confident our new cohort will flourish into confident, balanced individuals who will leave the University of Northampton with achievements in both their academics and professional sport.”

The full list of current Elite Athlete Scholars is:

Matthew Debenham – Swimming

Liam Crossman – Distance Running

Sophie Smith – Snow Sports

Chloe Martin – Football

Bethany Cox – Football

Caleb Winspear – Basketball

Benjamin Lazenby – Rugby Union

Hannah Pemble – Kyak

Mariyam Iva Ashraf – Basketball

Alfie Price – Basketball

Alameen Lawal – Sprinting

Joshua Edwards – Distance Running

Evan Wyatt – Rugby Union

Grace Harrison – Skiing

Ruby Heselden – Football

Phoebe Reynolds – Irish Dance

Zara Atkin – Touch Rugby

Freya Upson – Football

Betsey Wizard – Swimming

Find out more about the Elite Athlete Scholarship at the University of Northampton. Applications open soon for the next academic year (2025/26).