Physical Education and Sport Exercise Science graduate, Grace Balsdon, was part of the England women’s hockey team who secured a Gold medal for the first time at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Grace, who plays hockey for Hampstead & Westminster, also finished the tournament as joint top scorer with six goals.

Last year the talented hockey player also scored the winning goal to help Team GB Women’s Hockey team secure the bronze medal and a podium position at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Grace was an Elite Christ Church Sport Scholar whilst studying Physical Education and Sport Exercise Science from 2011- 2014, receiving a bursary and support from the University to help her balance studies alongside her sporting schedule.

Grace has spoken of her time at Canterbury Christ Church and the importance of the support of being a Sports Scholar whilst studying for her degree. She said: “I was extremely privileged to join the Sport Scholarship programme. Training at the University’s facilities was invaluable and being in an environment that supported me both physically and mentally really enabled me to achieve my goals.”

The University’s Sport Scholarship programme is recognised by Sport England’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and the University as a Dual Career Accredited Site which acknowledges an enhanced level of academic flexibility allowing talented athletes to balance their studies alongside a sporting schedule.

As a Sports Scholar, students enjoy a financial bursary, University gym membership, personal training, mentoring, sports science support and an environment that will help them to achieve both sporting and academic potential. Sport scholarships are available in a range of sports, including disability sport.

The University has relationships with several high-profile clubs which enables Elite Scholarships, including Canterbury Rugby Club and Kent County Cricket Club, where talented athletes may combine playing a high standard of sport with their university studies.

Students can still apply to the Sports Scholarship fund for September 2022. Applications close 31^st August. For more details on how to apply, visit the University’s Sport Scholarship web pages.

Read more at Christ Church Media News Centre