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Commonwealth Games Students

 

14 Alumni and Current Students head to Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games

University of Exeter students as well as alumni are preparing to represent their countries at this year’s commonwealth games in Birmingham. The Opening Ceremony takes place on Thursday 28th July and will be followed by an 11-day feast of sporting action. 

For many of our students, this is not their first time representing their country, but their first Commonwealth Games. This is the case for Clare Jones, co-vice captain for Wales Netball in her first Commonwealth Games. When asking Clare about how she feels ahead of the games, she couldn’t be prouder and more excited, as well as thankful for the support she has received from the University of Exeter: 

"I am really excited to be representing my country at not only a home commonwealth games but my first commonwealth games. I am an incredibly proud Welsh woman; however, this selection also importantly allows me to represent my family, friends and all those that have been a part of the journey in getting me to this point of my netball career, which includes University of Exeter.  

I feel so fortunate to have completed my BSc, MSc and now my PhD at Exeter. If it weren't for the support I’ve received here, my sporting career would not have been possible." 

A sport steeped in history at Exeter is Hockeywhere the University has five current students or alumni representing their country. One of those students, Millie Holme, only made her first senior international debut last August and has shared some of her thoughts with us ahead of her first game for Wales on Friday 28th July:  

“Words cannot describe how excited I am for the Commonwealth Games. I never thought at this stage in my life I'd be selected. I know I'll be nervous, but I can't wait to get started, put my Welsh shirt on, play against some of the top teams and take the whole atmosphere in.  

I've really enjoyed being at the University of Exeter this year in all aspects. Hockey commitments and studies is never going to be easier to juggle, but I find hockey a nice way of taking a break from work. I think planning my week beforehand has helped me tremendously. It meant that I wasn't stressing as much, as I'd already sorted out my time and what I had to do for the day.” 

Ranging from Medicine to Business degrees, throughout their time at Exeter, each of the students heading to the games has been supported by the Performance Sport programme 

Through this programme, students access a comprehensive package of support services including state-of-the-art training facilities, expert coaching, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports psychology, performance analysis, and a range of performance-athlete workshops. 

Furthermore, as a TASS Dual-Career accredited site, our athletes competing at international level receive further targeted support through the Sport Scholarship SchemeWhilst receiving financial support to aid their sporting endeavours, these student-athletes receive one-to-one support from qualified lifestyle practitioners to help balance their dual-career demands in both education and sport.  

Commenting on the dual-career support in place, Director of Sport & Grounds Alison Davidson said: 

"Exeter Sport prides itself on offering student-athletes the opportunity to combine full-time academic study alongside often demanding sporting schedules. Our Performance Programme, along with our accreditation as a TASS dual-career site, means we provide vitally important services that ensure our students receive the best-individualised support they can.  

Furthermore, we work closely with our academic colleagues and further professional services to ensure a holistic approach is taken when supporting our student-athletes. 

We couldn’t be prouder of what our student-athletes achieve both academically and sporting and can’t wait to watch them fulfil their ambitions at the Commonwealth Games.” 

Our programmes are generously supported by alumni and donors to the University and we thank them for all their support. To find out more about how you can support Sport here at Exeter, visit our Making the Exceptional Happen campaign, or contact our Global Advancement team at exceptional@exeter.ac.uk 

Please see the full list of students and alumni that will be competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games below: 

Name 

Course 

Graduation Year 

Sport 

Country 

Rhys Bradshaw  

BSc Mathematics 

2022 

Hockey 

Wales 

James Carson 

PGCE Physical Education Secondary 

2019 

Hockey 

Wales 

Ben Francis  

BA Economics with Industrial Experience 

2018 

Hockey 

Wales 

Ella Jackson 

BSc Exercise and Sport Sciences 

2016 

Hockey 

Wales 

Millie Holme 

Eng Mechanical Engineering with Year in Industry 

Current student (2025) 

Hockey 

Wales 

Betsy Creak  

PGCE Biology Secondary 

2018 

Netball 

Wales 

Clare Jones 

DClinPsy Doctor of Clinical Psychology 

2022 

Netball 

Wales 

Christina Shaw 

BSc Biological Sciences 

2020 

Netball 

Wales 

Merryn Doidge   

BSc Exercise and Sport Sciences 

2022 

Rugby 7s 

England 

Luke Treharne 

BMBS Medicine 

2017 

Rugby 7s 

Wales 

Caity Mattinson

MSc Sport and Health Sciences

2019

Rugby 7s

Scotland

Alexander Varley 

BA History 

Current student (2023) 

Fencing  

Guernsey  

James Le Maitre 

MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering 

2022 

Fencing  

Guernsey  

Freya Davies 

LLB Law 

2017 

T20 Cricket 

England 

Coverage of the games will be broadcasted across the BBC where you can watch and cheer on our alumni and current students. 

Date: 27 July 2022