Staff, students and alumni gathered in numbers for the annual Awards presentation, with BBC Radio sports journalist Andy Giddings hosting the evening’s entertainment either side of a sit-down dinner. A major highlight for attendees was a lively on-stage Q&A with trampoline world champion and two-time Olympic medallist Bryony Page, herself a Sheffield graduate and former ESPS Award-winner.
Greg Unwin, Programme & Development Manager for the University’s Sport & Physical Activity department, characterised the event as “a momentous occasion where we celebrate the dedication, resilience, and sheer talent of our student athletes who push the boundaries of both academics and sport.”
After the latest cohort of ESPS students took the stage for a certificate presentation, they were given the chance to speak individually about what the backing of the scheme has meant to them during their studies.
Timothy Dowden, a kayak marathon racer studying Engineering and Sustainability, said:
“The support I’ve received on the scheme has had a huge impact from day one - I got the Catalyst Award in my first year and bought a new boat, which I’ve been using right the way through. At every stage I’ve tried to make the most of the support I’ve had, and I’m just really, really grateful. Without it, I honestly don’t know if I’d still be going in the way I am with the sport. It’s made a massive difference, and helped make my experience of Sheffield such a positive one.”
I've done climbing and bouldering with my dad since I was three years old, and later got into competing. My scholarship has honestly been invaluable at Sheffield - it’s allowed me to do a lot more training and visit many more places to compete, which I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to do. It’s obviously very difficult to balance your studies with your sport at this level, but the scholarship helps so much with managing that. I hope the donors who have supported the ESPS realise how invaluable their gifts have been, and how grateful we all are for the support. Thank you so much!
Tilly Vasic
Geography undergraduate and rock climber
ESPS scholarships are designed to support student athletes who compete at an elite level, empowering them to maintain sporting momentum while also meeting the academic demands of their degrees. Sheffield’s 2023/24 cohort saw 25 athletes take up the programme, which is split into three categories - Level 1, Level 2, and Catalyst Award.
The different award packages offer student sports stars a variety of helpful support measures, including a £1000 grant, access to free physiotherapy, and lifestyle and mentoring support. Recipients of the Catalyst Award are also provided with a free year of student accommodation.
Amber Keegan, an open water swimmer and final year PhD student studying Chemical Engineering, said:
"Doing a sport with as much training as swimming - maybe 20 hours a week - alongside a PhD was a huge challenge. Lifestyle coaching support was incredibly helpful in taking a little bit of that pressure off, and the financial assistance meant I could actually buy good nutrition products to help me recover faster.
“The ESPS scholarship has given me opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have had. Without my trip to Australia for the Rottnest Channel swim, I wouldn’t now be preparing my own English Channel swim this summer, and wouldn’t have been invited to be part of an amazing round-the-island challenge in Hawaii. It’s also enabled me to do mental health and charity advocacy work through swimming, so the impact even goes far beyond the sport itself. Thank you.”
The full list of ESPS Award recipients for 2023/24 is:
- Level 1 Award
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Rhodri Williams, Ultimate Frisbee
Sophia Van Mourik, Dodgeball
Lucy Patchett, Canoe
Eve Pannone, Fell Running
Edward Corden, Fell Running
Ben O’Dowd, Mountain Running/Cross Country
Darcy Herring Johnson, Fencing
Cuba Parris, Karate
Tom Burgess, Underwater Hockey
Will Szollosy, Ice Hockey
Eva Mckechnie, Taekwondo
Josh Hanham, Ultimate Frisbee
- Level 2 Award
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Amber Keegan, Swimming
Tilly Vasic, Climbing
Timothy Dowden, Kayaking
Helen Thompson, Ultimate Frisbee
Chloe Carter, Ice Hockey
Sheena Yeung, Taekwondo
Caitlin Silk, Water Polo
Olivia Edwards, Football
Barnaby Spears, Powerlifting
Alex Robinson, Water Polo
Marcus Delpech, Basketball
- Catalyst Award
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Keira Bond, Cycling
Jake Heasman, Partially Sighted Futsal