The largest-ever number of sporting scholarships have been announced by University of the West of Scotland. In 2024/25, 37 exceptional student-athletes are receiving tailored support for their sporting talents and academic potential. 

The UWS Sport Scholarship programme aims to empower dual-career athletes to excel both in their studies and in their sporting pursuits. This year, the competitive selection process attracted applicants from across the globe, cementing UWS as a destination for top-tier talent. 

Among the standout scholars for 2024/25 is Honours Year Sports and Exercise Science student Erin Bolland, a Team UWS Hall of Fame inductee and Scotland U21 Netball captain. Erin has represented her country in international tournaments and has been called up to the Scotland senior Netball squad, putting her on the path to compete in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

Also joining the prestigious programme are first-year Sports and Exercise Science student Matthew Waring, currently ranked as the Badminton World Junior No.1, and Matthew Wynne, a PGDE Physical Education student who, as an undergraduate student, captained the Scotland Cerebral Palsy Football Team to a World Championship victory. 

Our Sport Scholarship programme aims to support students with the potential to be at the top of their sport. This year’s scholars include international, national, and regional standard athletes from over 20 different sports. We are thrilled to support a record number of student-athletes in achieving their ambitions both on and off the field in 2024/25.

John McGonigal, Sports Development Manager at UWS

The UWS Sport Scholarship programme shows the University’s commitment to developing talent and promoting the success of dual-career athletes. With a mix of academic and athletic achievements, this year’s scholars embody the University’s ethos of ambition and excellence. 

The UWS Sport Scholarship programme aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being and Goal 4: Quality Education. By supporting dual-career athletes, UWS fosters an environment that promotes physical and mental well-being while ensuring access to quality education. The programme reflects the university's commitment to Goal 5: Gender Equality by championing diverse talent and providing equal opportunities for student-athletes to thrive in both their academic and sporting pursuits.

For more information about the UWS Sport Scholarship programme and how it supports high-performing student-athletes, click on the link below:

UWS Sport Scholarship

Full list of 2024-25 UWS Sport Scholars 

Victoria Otterson          Archery

Olivia Kendal                Archery

Jonathon Downey        Athletics

Haley Elliott                  Athletics

Sophie Evans               Athletics

Jordan Phillips              Athletics

Jamie Connor               Athletics

Dawn Russell               Athletics

Toni Woods                  Badminton

Brooke Stalker             Badminton

Matthew Waring           Badminton

Dilyn Becker                 Basketball

Darcell Mcfarlane         Basketball

Ryan Grant                   Basketball

Callum Brand               Basketball

Foday-Bai Kamara       Basketball

Matthew Wynne           Cerebral Palsy Football

Stephanie Donnelly     Cheerleading

Anne Sturgess             Cricket

Oliver Walker               Cycling

Molly Rowe                  Dance

Kayla Jardine               Football

Andrew Dickie              Gymnastics

Anna Winter                 Hockey

Emily Luck                   Ice Hockey

Solomon Rice              Ju Jitsu/Judo  

Matthew Sweeney       Judo

Sarah Brand                Karate

Erin Bolland                 Netball

Viktoria Elohegyi          Olympic Weightlifting

Jemima Adeniyi           Powerlifting

Daniel Lauchlan          Powerlifting

Hollie Smith                Snowboarding

Fraser Jamieson        Snowboarding

Kiyla Young                Trampoline

Harry Orr                    Volleyball