“The support and camaraderie has really helped my student experience”

Ella Lucas is a second year Psychology student and Sussexsport Sport Scholar. She has achieved regional and national placings in competitive horse riding.

My sport is horse riding, specifically ‘eventing’, where a single horse and rider combine and compete across the three disciplines of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. I’ve achieved numerous regional and national placings, riding both individually and as part of a team, representing the Horsham District Riding Club.

The University’s Sports Scholarship Scheme has helped me immensely with balancing my commitment to sport alongside my studies. My mentors have helped me develop a personalised training plan using the Sussexsport facilities. This has improved the strength and condition of my physique, enabling me to train and perform at the very best of my ability. Sussexsport’s sports massage treatment has been a new and really valuable experience for me too, helping to ease any sport-related pains I have acquired.

It’s been fantastic to meet likeminded athletes on the Scholarship Scheme, who represent a real range of sports. The support from fellow scholars, as well as mentors, has helped to create a community; it makes going to the gym so much more enjoyable.

If you’re interested in the Sports Scholarship Scheme and are thinking of applying, I’d say go for it! The support and camaraderie has really helped my student experience during my time at Sussex.

Applications for Sussexsport’s Sports Scholarship Scheme are open for the 2020/21 academic year. Find out more and apply online now.