СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

The whole point of this relationship is to inspire young people to see university as an option for them, and so I think it's particularly good that we have this scholarship available.

Part of the partnership is all about raising educational attainment within СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and giving people really, really good, exciting futures. And with Nadine now coming in, it's fantastic to have somebody local on our doorstep, have the opportunity to go to university and to be part of that is really, really special for the football club.

To start with, I honestly didn't think I'd get the scholarship. I applied for it, obviously just off chance and it obviously is an amazing opportunity. Doing graphic design, it is about reputation and getting your name out there and obviously being able to work with СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Football Club, it gives me work experience and obviously builds my skills working with an actual company. So that will helps a lot with the graphic design, learning the practical side.

It is a massive first step into my career of being a graphic designer. I’m looking forward to the social aspect, meeting a lot of new people from different places. Also getting the opportunity to learn a lot more skills within graphic design, obviously they have a lot more opportunities there with their facilities. The university’s all about giving opportunities for young people in the city to succeed and so, I'm really pleased for her that she's been successful and I think she'll have a fantastic time at university.

Oliver Reeves

At the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, I'm doing a Masters in Strength Conditioning and Rehabilitation and then my role here is a Sports Scientist at СÀ¶ÊÓƵ Football Club with the first team. Monday and Tuesday, I'm in with the football club trying to help out with the sports science team and then Thursday and Friday I have my lectures so I can apply what I've learned.

Richard Hughes

The students that we’re lucky enough to have here provide a real big elements of the work we do, they're gaining a great experience from their personal perspective as well, but also they provide an invaluable service towards in functioning the football club on a day to day basis and getting an understanding of what an elite football club looks like and what that environment is, is really important.

Oliver Reeves

I'm a big football fan, so having the opportunity to come in and work with footballers day to day is something I get really excited about. We normally head out onto the pitch and then we get the GPS set up. We can split a session up into different sections and then from there we can monitor how intense each section of the training session was and then we can feed that back to the coaches. So we're kind of more in the monitoring of that data. 

Richard Hughes

It's hugely important for us to have this partnership with the СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. If you look at what this city is, there's a football club, there's obviously the naval heritage, and then there's the university and I think where we can create a synergy between those things is really important because they're all deeply woven into the fabric of the city. 

Oliver Reeves

For them to unite and come together, it's a bit of no brainer in terms of what the university can offer in terms of students. Then, what the football club gets out is a load of S&C sports scientists, physios, which are going to progress and they may be able to employ in the future. 

Richard Hughes

With my background, I came through an internship programme at Stoke City and I was lucky enough to be part of the analysis support and I always like to try and give people opportunities and getting people that are really hungry to be successful. 

Oliver Reeves

I mean, I'm a Pompey fan, so it's kind of my dream role really to be working with the players and all the first team staff and even with the academy, it is just an absolute dream so I'm really proud of myself.