Fran Kirby scores honorary doctorate at Buckinghamshire New University
Fran Kirby scores honorary doctorate at Buckinghamshire New University
This Friday 28 July, Chelsea FC and England national player Fran Kirby has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), joining the first all-female line up of honorary graduates since BNU began awarding honorary titles in 2001. The lioness previously attended BNU to study for a Foundation Degree in Applied Sports Coaching Science which she completed in 2015. This week she was on campus to receive the university’s highest accolade in recognition of her successful sporting career.
Kirby received an enthusiastic welcome back to BNU, the University Women’s Football Team joking that they were ‘poaching’ the star by presenting her with a specially commissioned BNU football shirt featuring her name and Chelsea FC player number. This, potentially making her one of the highest profile ‘ringers’ in student football.
The inspirational footballer said of the return to her former campus “It’s surreal to be back at the University that I studied at not that long ago and a real treat to be here. My time at BNU was a great experience, I made many friends and I learnt so much both about sports coaching and beyond. BNU supported me through my studies, providing a grounding that has stood me in good stead ever since. Both in my professional playing career and personal life too so being back here today is a bit of a pinch me moment.” She continued “Looking ahead, I hope to inspire many more young people to believe in themselves and their dreams even when they might feel impossible, because as I found, thanks to the support of BNU and many others around me, where there is a will there is always a way, and we are all more capable than we know!”
BNU has over 20 years’ experience in sport-related studies with their School of Human and Social Sciences offering a range of courses from coaching to sports therapy making BNU a well-known name in sports education.
The university’s impressive Human Performance Lab, where Fran was greeted by the women’s football team, doubles up as a home for pre-season training for local football teams, includes sector-leading physiological equipment which has been featured on television programmes such as Channel 4's 1 Day Body Turnaround with Michael Mosley. It is also a space that is regularly used by students hoping to work in competitive sport.
Fran joined hundreds of graduating BNU students collecting their degrees in the presence of the University’s most senior staff and academics. The star’s former lecturers remembering her fondly, commenting on her cheerful disposition, warmth and humble nature.
Paul Morgan, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Student Experience at BNU and one of Fran’s previous lecturers and mentors said “I’m thrilled to see Fran recognised in this way, and its especially great to have her back at BNU where she was such a fantastic student. Fran truly embodies all that we value here at the university, through her commitment, determination, and personal resilience, her achievements to date are nothing short of inspiring. She stands as an exemplary role model to not only our students but to young people and aspiring athletes around the world, and we are beyond proud to recognise her with this award.”
Proud to have played a part in Fran’s undeniably challenging journey, the University congratulates the football star on her remarkable achievements, as she continues to inspire millions of people around the world.
Honorary degrees are the highest accolades a university can bestow and this year’s all female line-up at BNU celebrates an impressive group of individuals, recognised for their contributions to society, healthcare, sports and the arts.
Another sporting honorary sharing the spotlight this week at BNU was multiple Gold Medal Special Olympian Naomi Riches, taking her place in the all female line-up alongside His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Countess Howe, International recording artist Leigh-Anne Pinnock and leading healthcare experts Deborah Sturdy CBE and Nichole McIntosh.
