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Student rugby stars to compete on international stage

One of º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s sporting stars is to captain Great Britain’s rugby team this summer at a major international tournament.

Aaron Myers, a part-time Sport and Exercise (Coaching Science) student, will lead Great Britain in the World University Student Games – taking place in Russia from 5-17 July. He will captain the GB Student Sevens side, while another º£½ÇÖ±²¥ student, Joanna Brown has been selected to represent England under 20’s in the Rugby Nation’s Cup.

Both Aaron and Joanna are on º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Elite Athlete Scheme, which provides a comprehensive package of support for athletes of international calibre.

Aaron, 25, who also teaches PE at Dyke House school in Hartlepool, has been playing rugby since he was 8-years-old and is looking forward to representing Great Britain on the world stage in a tournament described as the student Olympics.

'To have the opportunity to captain Great Britain at a tournament of this stature is going to be a fantastic experience,' said Aaron.

'I am looking forward to travelling to Russia, soaking up the atmosphere and going as far as we can in the tournament. Great Britain actually won this event last time so there will be a lot of pressure to do well.'

Aaron credits the Elite Athlete Scheme at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ for improving his overall training methods and pushing him towards the top of his sport.

He added: 'I have received some of the best support possible from º£½ÇÖ±²¥. As well as the use of the top-class facilities, there has been mentoring, strength and conditioning programmes and regular testing – it has really helped me to reach my potential.'

Joanna, a first year BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy student originally from Manchester, will take part in the Nation’s Cup in Nottingham throughout July.

She decided to study at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ because of the facilities and support the University provides to develop top-class athletes.

'It has been a great experience coming to º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and I feel my rugby has definitely improved,' explained Joanna.

'I have never competed at international level before and it is an achievement I am really proud of.'

Matthew Wright, Sports Development Officer (Elite Sport) at º£½ÇÖ±²¥ said: 'The Elite Athlete Scheme provides a comprehensive support package which includes physiological and biomechanical assessment, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy and sports psychology, as well as the close monitoring of training sessions.

'Both Aaron and Joanna have been working extremely hard – it is great to see them doing so well and reflects what we are trying to achieve through the scheme.'

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Find out more about the Elite Athlete Scheme