University College Plymouth St Mark & St John

UCP Marjon provides Elite Sports Scholarships to assist talented athletes to continue with their sporting careers without compromising their education. The scheme has been set up to support students recognised by their governing body as ‘elite’. This includes athletes who have been offered Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and World Class funding by Sports Aid and UK Sport. In addition we can support students competing at a high level whose sport is not recognised by TASS.

The Elite Sports Scholarship scheme not only covers the provision of tailor made scholarships for the University College’s two focus sports; Men’s Basketball and Women’s Football, but also talented individual athletes, of  national standard,  from other sports.

Criteria

• Applicants must be studying on a UCP Marjon degree programme
• Students must have competed at national/international level
• Applicants can only apply for one scholarship per academic year
• All sports scholars must represent UCP Marjon in the BUCS Championships, Varsity and other related student sports championships

How do I apply?

All students will need to apply for an Elite Sports Scholarship on an annual basis irrespective of whether they have been offered a sports scholarship during previous years. Applications should be submitted in writing with a supporting sports CV (including two referees) expressing why they wish to be considered to Kathryn Kearney, Student Sport Officer  by the 30^th January 2012. Short listed candidates will be interviewed and successful candidates will be offered a scholarship place when the University College has made the applicant an offer of a place on an academic course. The number of Elite Sports Scholarships available during each academic year is dependent on the resources available. Meeting the stringent criteria is not a guarantee that a student will be offered an Elite Sports Scholarship at UCP Marjon as demand for scholarships may outstrip the resources available.

Scholarship Categories

There are three Elite Sports Scholarship categories, two of these categories relate to the University College Focus sports of Men’s Basketball and Women’s Football.

Men’s Basketball

• Full Fee Scholarships available
• Free Membership of UCP Marjon Sports Centre
• Free use of Sports Therapy Clinic
• Nutritional and dietary advice
• Sports Psychology Support
• Coaching and Mentoring Support
• Personal Programmes and athlete support

Women’s Football

• Scholarships of up to £2,000 per year (from 2012-13)
• Free Membership of UCP Marjon Sports Centre
• Free use of Sports Therapy Clinic
• Nutritional and dietary advice
• Sports Psychology Support
• Coaching and Mentoring Support
• Personal Programmes and athlete support

 Individual Elite Sports Scholarships *

• Free Membership of UCP Marjon Sports Centre
• Free use of Sports Therapy Clinic
• Scholarship fee negotiable dependent of athletic standard
• Nutritional and dietary advice
• Sports Psychology Support
• Coaching and Mentoring Support
• Personal Programmes and athlete support

*Individual Elite Sports Scholarships related to Aquatic Sports - In addition to the benefits offered above, Individual Elite Sports Scholars who participate in aquatic sports will also be eligible to apply for the Plymouth City Council Aquatic Bursary Scheme subject to meeting all the required criteria. Details of this Bursary Scheme can be provided by the Student Sports Officer.

Responsibilities of Elite Sports Scholars

A substantial amount of money is invested by the University College into the Elite Sports Scholarship Programme and consequently Elite Sports Scholars are asked to remember the investment that the institution has made in them and commit 100% to the ethos and culture of the programme. Students who do not uphold these values will be removed from the programme.

Athletes are expected to comply with the UCP Marjon Sports Federation and Athlete Code of Conduct and all Elite Sports Scholars will be expected to sign a contract. Funding will not be released to students until this process has been completed.

Specific Responsibilities of Elite Sports Scholars

At the beginning of the season Elite Sports Scholars are responsible for submitting a list of the competitions/events that they intend to participate in. After each competition/event the athlete should submit a report (with images if possible) to the Student Sport Officer. The report will then be used to promote your successes and UCP Marjon as an institution.

Expenditure related to Elite Sports Scholarship grants must be pre-agreed with the Student Sport Officer and receipts should be produced for all expenditure. Cash Scholarships will be paid in three payments throughout the academic year.

In addition to these responsibilities Elite Sports Scholars will be expected to participate in promotional and recruitment activities and events for the University College, media events, photo opportunities and other related marketing opportunities as required by UCP Marjon.