BNU recognised for supporting dual careers of student-athletes in higher education

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has been recognised for helping talented athletes to reach their potential in education alongside achieving success in their sport.

By achieving Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Dual Career Accreditation, BNU joins a small number of UK universities to receive external validation for the support and reassurance it already provides to its talented athletes.

The University is currently supporting 34 student-athletes with stars from Reading Rockets basketball club, the Swim England Performance Centre and Academy 23.

Two of BNU’s talented student-athletes include fencer Sophia Potter and artistic gymnast Jessica Daykin. Sophia has just completed her second year studying Product Design BSc and Jessica has just finished her first year studying Sport and Exercise Science BSc.

Sophia, 21, fences for both England and Great Britain, and has enjoyed a successful junior career at domestic, Commonwealth and world levels. Sophia is now ranked tenth in the Senior Women’s Sabre after enjoying her first year as a Senior. While working hard to fulfil the Olympic potential coaches told her she had at 11-years-old, Sophia also has her sights set on a career merging both fencing and product design.

“I believe they complement one another, in different ways. I enjoy designing because I love to solve problems and once a product has been made and it’s successful, it is very rewarding. The traveling I do around the world and Europe allows me to look at things differently. I want to look into sports product design so I can combine fencing and design together.”

Jessica, 19, is a member of the GB senior squad for artistic gymnastics and is training hard for selection after this year’s Tokyo Olympics. She has competed many times for England, including winning the international Rosebowl competition. Jessica is “really enjoying” her biomechanics module at BNU and is keen for a career in gymnastics.

“I am keen to give something back to the sport that has given me so much. My interests are in nutrition, physiotherapy and strength and conditioning so I think it will be one of those.”

Both Sophia and Jessica have praised BNU for supporting their dual efforts. “BNU has been very supportive, allowing me to have extra time for assignments if I needed it and for having very supportive teachers,” says Sophia.

Jessica added: “I feel that I have been really supported and encouraged by all of my university lecturers. I have been awarded gym membership for the university gym and access to massage and physio once restrictions allow. The BNU staff are aware of my gym commitments and are always happy to support me. I haven’t needed any extra time for assignments this year, but I know I could ask if I needed it.”

Fiona McCormack, Associate Professor in Sport, Wellbeing and Enterprise, has been instrumental in helping BNU to achieve TASS Dual Career Accreditation and has known Sophia and Jessica since they started at BNU with both athletes full of praise for the support Fiona has given them.

Fiona said: “We are delighted to gain dual career accreditation, which provides formal recognition for the amazing support that teams across the university provide for our elite student athletes. This support ensures that they can be equally successful in their sports and their studies. Our student athletes, like Sophia and Jessica, are brilliant ambassadors for the university and represent the fantastic potential of our students on the world stage.”

Photo credit for banner image of Sophia Potter fencing - Niki Bruckner