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New partnership with University of Leeds supports sporting alumni

Tuesday 19 November 2013

The University of Leeds and The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) have teamed up to cement Leeds’ reputation as a major sporting centre.

The partnership focuses on three core strands:

  • University of Leeds GSAL sports scholarship – offered to a GSAL student who has the potential to or is already competing at the highest levels;
  • Student coaching programme – aimed at developing students’ coaching abilities through placement opportunities at both institutions;
  • Professional coaching positions – implementing joint coaching roles which will add value and increased expertise to the coaching structure at both institutions.

The partnership was officially launched by University of Leeds pro chancellor David Gray, who is a Leeds Grammar School alumnus, and GSAL principal Mike Gibbons. During the launch the first University of Leeds GSAL sports scholarship was awarded to Hannah Starling, who secured her place at University of Leeds after taking her A-levels at GSAL this summer.

Olympic diver Hannah competed for Team GB in the 3m springboard at London 2012. She has since won two medals at the World Junior Diving championships in Australia and finished 7th in this year’s World Championships Series. Hannah received the scholarship in recognition of her achievements and her future potential, which will support academic, living, training and competition costs.

Head of sport at University of Leeds Rob Wadsworth said: “I feel the enthusiasm and passion shown by colleagues at GSAL and University of Leeds will ensure that the partnership is a huge success. I hope in the future we can celebrate the plethora of Olympians, coaches and sporting success that the partnership has contributed to.”

GSAL Principal Mike Gibbons said: “We are delighted to be working closely with the University of Leeds and see this partnership as an important initiative to ensure sporting success at both institutions. It will also enable talented students such as Hannah to stay in her home town further cementing Leeds’s reputation as a major sporting centre.”

Pictured above: Hannah Starling receiving the award from University of Leeds alumnus, Dr Stephen Ledger, who has generously donated to support the University of Leeds GSAL Sports Scholarship. Below: l-r University of Leeds pro chancellor David Gray and GSAL principal Mike Gibbons launch the partnership

WEB David Gray and Mike Gibbons

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