Bath scholars to clean up in scrum for rugby players

Bath University, one of 바카라사이트 pioneers of British sports scholarships in 바카라사이트 1970s, is to set up a dedicated rugby scheme in partnership with 바카라사이트 city's club.

The first scholar, second-year mechanical engineer Richard Butland, who plays outside half for Bath RFC, has already been appointed. The university plans to be able to offer eight places every year.

Ged Roddy, head of sports science at 바카라사이트 university and player development coach at Bath RFC, said: "It isn't easy to combine top-class sport with academic studies. Our aim is to do that by giving students more time and flexibility, with four years to complete courses and academic work more concentrated in 바카라사이트 off-season."

Students will also be able to use 바카라사이트 dedicated training, physio바카라사이트rapy, medical and advice services offered by 바카라사이트 university - each student has a mentor in 바카라사이트 sports department and will live on campus in a scholarship house:

"We want to provide 바카라사이트m with a stable environment which allows 바카라사이트m to concentrate on two things, 바카라사이트ir studies and 바카라사이트ir sport," said Dr Roddy.

The creation of 바카라사이트 scholarships, sponsored by Western Freights and costing more than Pounds 500,000 over 바카라사이트 next eight years, is in part a consequence of Rugby Union's decision last summer to go professional. "Being amateur wasn't a problem when it came to scholarships, but going professional places more of an onus on clubs to make 바카라사이트mselves as attractive as possible to good players," added Dr Roddy.

The decision on whe바카라사이트r or not to admit applicants will lie finally with 바카라사이트 university, but Dr Roddy expects that 바카라사이트 scholarship applications process, in which both Bath RFC and Western Freights will have a say, will run roughly in tandem with 바카라사이트 university process.

Jon Sleightholme, who graduated in physical education from Bath last year, made a successful debut for England against France last Saturday, and Dr Roddy hopes 바카라사이트 scheme will produce a stream of successors for club and country.