Seven students who play their sport at county level and above have been selected for the Team Staffs Sports Elite scholarship– worth an estimated £6000 a year – and they will be in attendance at special launch event which recognises the contribution made by local sponsors.
The scholarships are designed to support talented athletes while they balance their study with the rigours of training and competition. Successful athletes are entitled to free access to all University sports facilities, free strength and conditioning training, access to the specialist Sport Science testing facilities, and treatment from the injury and rehabilitation clinic, as well as performance workshops covering areas such as nutrition, lifestyle, and performance psychology.
Stoke-on-Trent squash player, Roxy Keshvarz, 21, has been selected for Team Staffs Elite. The BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student, who is taking part in the National Squash Championships next month, said: “It’s a great opportunity. It’s great for me to play squash and to be at University as well. The strength and conditioning and the nutrition will be really beneficial as it’s specific to me and that will really help me to improve.”
Matrix Fitness is the commercial division of Stoke-on-Trent based Johnson Health Tech UK Ltd., suppliers of cardiovascular and strength-training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities. By equipping the new Strength and Conditioning laboratory at the University with the latest conditioning equipment, Matrix will be helping to support the development of elite sports in the county.
Head of the School of Psychology Sport and Exercise, Dr Peter Jones, said:
“The relationship with Matrix Fitness is a natural one as they are world class and a company that is pioneering in its approach to fitness. Importantly, their ethos matches the innovative approach of the School where we have applied world class research expertise in the areas of sports performance, physical activity, and health.”
Jon Johnston, Managing Director of Johnson Health Tech UK, commented:
“This partnership provides a fantastic opportunity for young sporting talent, and bringing health, education, and business together to support this common goal also provides mutual benefits for the partner organisations. We’re all regionally rooted, and improving the health, fitness, and wellbeing of the local community is an important part of what we do. I’m really excited about what we can achieve together.”
Dr Jones also acknowledged the sponsorship and support of other partners involved in the scholarship programme, namely the County Sports Partnership (SASSOT), Bourne Sports, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
“Their involvement gives our successful scholarship students free access to sporting facilities across the city, as well as vouchers to spend on specialist equipment and clothing.”