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By: Communications
Student sport scholars past and present have shared their experiences of being on the UEA+ Individual Scholarship Programme. The programme, which gives talented athletes a personalised experience, helps students to combine both their academic studies and their sporting development, whatever their aspirations.
The accredited programme offers three types of scholarships: Elite, Excellence and Developing Excellence. All three offer the scholars physiotherapy support, gym and swim membership, strength and conditioning, performance lifestyle guidance, and much more.
Strength and Conditioning Coach, James Warren said:
“What makes UEA scholarship programme stand out is the high quality, personalised support. We make sure the individuals' wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do. We recognise that everyone learns differently and responds to coaching differently. We ensure our scholars have the most effective methods for them to reach their potential in both their academic and sporting careers.”
Jardel Kerr: Basketball and BEng Computer Systems Engineering, Excellence scholarship
Jardel Kerr graduated from UEA in 2022 with a BEng in Computer Systems Engineering. Two years into his degree he applied for and was successful in receiving the UEA+ Excellence Individual Sport Scholarship.
Jardel has pursued a successful career in basketball, playing in divisions one and two of the NBL National League, alongside his current role as a Software Engineer.
When asked what would have been different without the scholarship, Jardel said:
“A lack of direction. I think that was probably the major take away. I'd say having a mentor, having those meetings about the future, I feel like it gave me a lot of direction at the time. I felt like everything I was doing felt kind of purposeful, so it just meant when I was working out stuff, I felt a bit more energetic because I knew what I was doing it for.
“I feel like for me, I'm typically terrible at creating my own plan. It was nice to have someone there as a mentor. My mentor Sophie would arrange meetings and we would talk about goals, things I want to work on and then we would plan for it. She taught me how best to plan for a career in the office and on the court. I use the skills I learnt then, now”.
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Serena Grace: Athletics and BSc Physical Education and Sports Health, Elite Scholarship
Serena Grace is an athletics sports scholar and a final year student on the BSc Physical Education and Sports Health (PESH) course who transferred to UEA in her second year having previously studied at Brunel. Having now secured a full scholarship in the US, Serena’s Olympic dreams inch ever closer.
Serena said:
“The Sport Scholarship programme at UEA is excellent. If I need extra support as an elite athlete, it’s always there. I have access to nutrition and psychology workshops, which weren’t available to me before. I have regular check-ins with my PESH course tutors and the UEA Sports Scholarship programme staff, who give me extra time for assignments if I need them, and if the track Is closed, they support me in training elsewhere. The staff know me and what I need to get the best results”.
“Transferring to UEA was a real leap of faith. At Brunel I was training with elite athletes and didn't know how that would compare to UEA. However, it all ended up being a bit of a blessing in disguise.The course I’m on here is much more psychology-focused, which I love. Plus, I get so much support, my mental state has improved, and I’m running faster. I train alone a lot of the time, but I know my goals and crack on, even when it means running outside in the rain in the winter!
“Nothing for me is about instant gratification, that will all come later in life. My journey has had its ups and downs, but I continue to have faith that things will work out. I’ve achieved so much since I’ve been at UEA – I'm still here and I’m running fast!”
Callum Rana: Golf and BSc Mathematics, Excellence Scholarship
Callum’s love for golf began when he was five years old, 13 years later he was awarded a scholarship by UEA to support him to achieve his highest potential, both academically and on the green. After some indecision on whether university would be the right path for a sports-enthusiast, Calum made the decision to come to UEA, having been offered an unconditional offer alongside the scholarship.
Callum felt pursuing a degree in Maths would not only be intellectually stimulating, but it would also provide him with “an edge over other golfers who haven't considered a backup option”. Since beginning his time at UEA, Callum has taken home the winning title for the Wensum Valley Order of Merit and represented the county for the season.
In the heat of exam season, he made it clear that for now, Maths is his priority. After graduating and securing a degree, he plans to push on with his successful career as a semi-professional and turn pro - a journey he expects to be long but rewarding.
Callum highlighted the lifestyle aspects of the coaching, saying:
“I felt supported by the programme and would have meetings to ask how my uni work is going, how my wellbeing is. My Scholarship organiser noticed how much hard work I was putting into my Maths and from there I took a dyslexia test and I found out I’m a visual learner, so I’ve been given tips on how to use visuals to best help me learn”.
When asked for any advice to prospective sports scholars, he responded: “If you want it, it's all there, you’ve just got to ask”.