Sport

An unimaginable opportunity

“Looking at my background, the greatest gift anyone could give me is my education. Receiving this from one of the best universities in UK is a dream come true.”

Have you ever had a dream? An aspiration that you wanted more than anything, but felt it was just that – a goal that was impossible to achieve?

Stewart had long dreamed of gaining a university education, and with a passion for football too, he dreamed of doing it at Loughborough. However, with finances acting as a major barrier, he wasn’t sure how this could be achieved.

Stewart with the Vice-Chancellor

“I was delighted to begin a new wonderful chapter of my life. My story should remind any young person getting started on what they want to do that no matter how big a dream is, there is a way of achieving it.”

Stewart Scholarship recipient and first year student

— Taking his opportunity Stewart is from Zambia, where he attends a Christian orphanage called the Fountain of Hope in Lusaka. In the past, Loughborough students have visited the orphanage as part of the Volunteer Zambia programme – a long-standing international sport development project where students and staff volunteer their time to deliver school PE lessons, community sports programmes and health awareness workshops.

During 2018, the Vice-Chancellor travelled to Zambia to experience the project for himself. During the visit he met Stewart, and Stewart seized the opportunity to express his desire to join the Loughborough family.

Marking a milestone in a rewarding way Just a year later, the University was celebrating 15 years of involvement with Volunteer Zambia and decided to mark the anniversary by awarding a one-off full undergraduate scholarship, to bring a student from Zambia to study at Loughborough.

Stewart was a stand-out beneficiary of Loughborough Sport’s work through Volunteer Zambia, and his passion for football, photography and media made him an ideal candidate to receive the award.

Stewart joined Loughborough in September 2019, starting a social science course with an international foundation year.

The transformational effect of your donations The Zambia scholarship has been fully funded by multiple donations from our supporters, and adds to the significant philanthropic impact Loughborough is having in this part of Africa. This includes major donations received by the University’s Coaching and Volunteering Academy, who help to deliver the Volunteer Zambia programme – amongst other initiatives – all of which shows the huge transformational effect of this kind of support and student volunteering abroad.

Last summer, six Loughborough students headed out to Zambia, and, working alongside staff and students from six other universities, delivered sport development programmes to over 160,000 children and six sporting organisations. As a result of their efforts, over £15,000 was raised, three new community sport hubs were established in Lusaka and 20 new Zambian volunteers were upskilled and supported.

From fearing PE to elite rower

Finishing school and starting university is a big transition for most. It’s an exciting but daunting time. You could be moving away from home for the first time, you’re responsible for your own learning, and of course you’re starting from scratch with meeting new people and making friends.

Add to this a not so great experience at school and you can understand why your nerves might overtake the feelings of excitement when starting the next chapter of your life.

George Nixon felt exactly that way. Having had a tough time at school and feeling like he didn’t fit in, he was nervous about the prospect of starting university.

“I was born with a bilateral cleft lip and people used to take the mick out of it when I was growing up” said George.

“At school I didn’t fit into a particular social group, I wasn’t good at sport and I wasn’t very popular.”

George underwent his first cleft lip repair surgery at Great Ormand Street Hospital shortly after he was born, and he had a bone graft at the age of 13. Just months before starting at Loughborough, he had a third procedure on his lip, when his face had fully developed.

“I was worried that university was going to be a repeat of the years I experienced at school” said George.

However, three years on, with a degree in Politics and International Business and a promising future in rowing, George has praised Loughborough for helping him to believe in his abilities and encouraging him to pursue what would soon become a new passion.

“When you come to university, there are so many more people, everyone is much more mature and are interested in you as a person. If you join a society or get involved in sport with people who are likeminded, you are able to fit into a group of people who are very much like you.”

“When you come to university, there are so many more people, everyone is much more mature and are interested in you as a person.

“If you join a society or get involved in sport with people who are likeminded, you are able to fit into a group of people who are very much like you.”

With Loughborough’s incredible reputation for sport, George decided to try a new sport and, being quite tall, thought thought that rowing might be for him. Since then he has never looked back. Starting as a beginner in his first year, George excelled over the next few years to become Captain of Loughborough Students’ Rowing Club and more recently rowed in the Henley Regatta.

“Rowing has had an enormously positive impact on my university experience. It’s taken up a lot of time and it is a big sacrifice, but if you put the work in you can achieve more than you could ever dream of.”

Thank you to all our donors who have supported the Athletics Union (AU) Clubs at Loughborough – from rowing to volleyball, sailing and dance – your donations help current students unlock their confidence and discover the things they are truly passionate about.

One hundred years on top

This year marks an important year for rugby at Loughborough as Loughborough Students Rugby Club celebrate 100 years of sporting excellence.

The Club has long occupied a unique and special place in the history of the game in this country, having produced world class players and performances over the decades.

Donning the African Violet shirt, or the maroon jersey of the 1970s and 80s, has been a great privilege for thousands of individuals over the years, and a great debt is owed to the generations of players, coaches, support staff and volunteers for their tireless commitment that has made Loughborough Students Rugby what it is today.

A great deal of this influential support has been provided by donors, who have shown their continual side-line support for the Club, whether it be through giving their time, sharing their expertise and advice or providing the financial support that has opened doors and opportunities for a huge number of players over the years.

CELEBRATE WITH US To celebrate 100 years of student rugby at Loughborough, the University is hosting a series of events and campaigns throughout the year – including matches, limited edition commemorative shirts and reunion lunches. As supporters of Loughborough, we’d love you to celebrate with us.

Visit the Rugby Centenary website at www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/rugby100

“Daryl Jelinek has paved the way for people like me to play rugby for Loughborough. Without him, I would’ve had to give up playing with my friends, lay down the African Violet and halt my rugby development.”

Oghenesuvwe (Suvwe) Third year student and Daryl Jelinek Sporting Scholarship recipient

The Daryl Jelinek Sporting Scholarship

Daryl Jelinek was a prominent figure in the Loughborough Students Rugby Club. After he passed away, his family and friends established a scholarship that would give talented players the opportunity to pull on the coveted Loughborough Students Rugby Club jersey.

Daryl studied at the University from 1980 to 1983, during which time he captained the team whilst also playing for England U23s. After he passed away in July 2018, his family and friends set up the Daryl Jelinek Sporting Scholarship and thanks to the generosity of Daryl’s family and friends, and the donors who have since contributed to the fund, Loughborough Sport was able to award the first scholarship from the fund last year.

Currently in his third year of an Applied Sport Science course, Oghenesuvwe (Suvwe) was awarded the scholarship in recognition of his significant contribution to the squad and to alleviate the financial pressures he faced as he entered his final year of study.

Suvwe started playing rugby at the age of 10, when he was approached by a bystander at his local rugby club whilst playing football with his brother, who insisted he was playing with the wrong shaped ball. Since starting at Loughborough, he has been an essential part of the Men’s Rugby Performance team.

Previously, Suvwe has had to work several jobs at night and in his free time around his rugby and academic commitments. This scholarship is allowing him to dedicate more time and effort into both his studies and training.

Be a part of the Loughborough Rugby story

As we celebrate this special milestone, thanks must go to our Rugby Vice Presidents (VPs). Their support over the last few years has undoubtably contributed to the success and development of the Club.

The Rugby Vice Presidents scheme was set up several seasons ago by a small group of Loughborough Students Rugby supporters, including alumni and university staff, who wanted to support the students and become more involved in the Club. The programme now has over 70 VPs, all of whom are passionate about the Club and are using their influence and expertise to improve the player experience. Are you interested in influencing the Loughborough Rugby story by becoming a VP? A donation of at least £100 per season is requested, which goes directly towards the operational costs of the Club and improving the player experience. In return VPs are invited to pre-match lunches at 1st team home games and other dinners, involved in pre-match briefings, and invited to partake in other Club events and initiatives.

For further information please contact: Hayley Boereboom E: h.boereboom@lboro.ac.uk T: 01509 228685 / 07825 421363