High Performance Academy students
Mahamed Mahamed
Athletics
BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development
I am currently a GB U23 international athlete. My achievements to date include winning the England Senior Men’s National Cross Country title in 2019; competing for Great Britain at the European U20 Championships and; winning a Bronze individual medal and three team medals in cross country. I have previously won the BUCS 3000m indoors and came sixth in the Great South Run in 2018.
Nathan Blackie
Athletics
BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science
I compete on the track in events 100m up to 800m in the T34 classification for athletes with cerebral palsy. I have competed for GB at the IWAS World Junior Games in 2014, finishing fifth in the 100m and 400m and fourth in 200m. I have also competed for Scotland in two CPISRA World Games, winning five gold medals in 2015 and three silvers and two bronze medals in 2018. My goal is to be selected for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Chiara di Stefano
Basketball
BA (Hons) Photography
I’m from Italy and I came to England three years ago at the age of 16. I started to play basketball nine years ago and now, after two seasons in Reading, I currently play in the Division One National League and BUCS first teams for Team Solent Kestrels.
Arthur Godsal
Cricket
BA (Hons) Sports Studies
My greatest achievements include being part of the England Development Programme for England U17. I also played for the Young Lions (England U19) this year and received a professional summer contract at Middlesex County Cricket Club last summer. My dream is to be one of the best one day bowlers in the world and I would love to represent England in all formats of the game.
Sonia Otieno
Basketball
BSc (Hons) Applied Human Nutrition
I have been playing basketball since I was 15 years old. I have played for Brixton Topcats, Lewisham Thunder and Leicester Riders. My proudest achievements are going undefeated and winning the AOC national cup in 2015 and also being a sports scholar at Solent University. I currently play for the Team Solent Kestrels women’s basketball National League Division One and BUCS first teams.
Ryan Penny
Football
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy
I previously played in the youth academy system for professional football clubs including Southampton FC, Aldershot FC and Swindon Town FC. I also played for the England School Boys team in the 2017/18 season and am now playing in my second season for Team Solent FC.
Chi Hin Lou Tan
Golf
BA (Hons) Sport Management
I am from Hong Kong and I’ve been studying in Scotland since I was 12 at Loretto School. At the same time, I was also playing golf at an elite level. My greatest achievement so far is winning the China Junior Open in 2016, and coming second at the German Boys Open in 2018. I also have an amateur world ranking. I made the BUCS Tour finals in 2019, finishing 19th out of the top 50 golfers.
Caitlin Morris
Football
MSci Football Science
I’ve been selected to play in two U19 European Qualifiers for Wales and I'm aiming to be called up to the senior side to earn my first senior cap. I also play for Southampton FC Ladies and my ambition is to progress with this team into the Women’s Super League (WSL) to play professionally. We gained promotion into the Southern Region Womens Football league last season.
Chloe Ann Anderson
Football Official
BA (Hons) Sport and Physical Education
I am a Senior County Football Referee. I am a part of FA Core and the National Senior Women’s development group, where we meet twice a year to complete the FIFA Women’s Fitness test and for various training programmes. My highest achievement would be being an assistant for England v Wales girls.
Peter Langton
Boccia
BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Sport Development
I’ve been playing Boccia since 2009. I have beaten two Paralympians earlier this year, which is my best personal achievement to date. I am in the Scorpions Academy and the Southern All Stars, where Boccia UK track my progress and have set me a target of competing in the 2024 Paralympics.
Pablo Garcia Cranfield
Sailing
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy
I am a professional sailor with both Spanish and British nationality. I have just completed my journey through the 420 sailing class with great accomplishments, including becoming the Spanish National Champion and, most significantly, the silver medallist at the World Championship in Rhode Island. I intend to keep up the momentum as I transition into the Olympic 470 class boat.
Ashley Williams
Basketball
MA Public Relations and Multimedia Communications
I’m from the USA where I studied and played four years of NCAA Division 1 basketball at Western Carolina University. I received my undergraduate degree in Communication (Public Relations) and will continue my studies at Solent on the master’s programme. My goal is to enjoy a successful career in professional basketball and then transition into public relations and social media marketing for a professional sports organisation.
Marcus Gatlin
Basketball
MSc Sport Science and Performance Coaching
My main goal for this year is to obtain as much knowledge as I can in the classroom first, then win the UK Championship! I’ve been playing this beautiful game since I was three years old, and the game has blessed me with so many achievements and taken me to places I never thought I’d go.
Gareth Schreuder
Cricket
MSc Sport Science and Performance Coaching
I feel so privileged to be able to study at Solent and I’m really excited for the year ahead where I will look to make the most of all the University has to offer. I hope to make a big impact on the cricket at Solent. My goal is to one day get a contract with one of the counties in England.
Ariana Dowse
Cricket
BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance
I’m a Hampshire Academy and Southern Vipers athlete training at the Ageas Bowl. During my time at Solent I’m aiming to achieve a professional contract. Recent memorable moments include receiving the trophy at the House of Lords with Hampshire Women winning Division 1, with myself taking the most dismissals in the country. Plus, scoring my first senior century – 106* off 111 balls.
Jennie Roberts
Windsurfing
BA (Hons) Festival and Event Management
I currently compete in the National Windsurfing Racing Series on the seas around Britain where I consistently achieve top two within the youth girl category. Coming to Solent will allow me to improve both as an athlete and academically with all the support on offer.
Ebuka Ekwegh
Basketball
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy
I am very thankful and pleased to have been offered a scholarship at Solent University to study alongside representing the University as a basketball player. I aim to excel both on and off the court with my peers and teammates in order to achieve my goals. In my time here I will be challenging myself each day to better myself in every way.
Luke Mitchell
Football
BA (Hons) Physical Education
I previously played for Metropolitan Police FC at both youth level and first team level. I was awarded the Best Male Newcomer at the Solent Sports Awards last year and am now Team Captain for Team Solent FC.
Ian Smith
Basketball
MSc Sport Science and Performance Coaching
I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity Solent University has given me. I will acquire my master’s in Sports Science and Performance Coaching along with playing for the Solent Kestrels. I recently graduated from Northern State University in the USA, where I was able to compete for a Division 2 National Championship. My goal is to win as many games as possible and continue to develop a winning culture.
Krisztina Velkey
Basketball
MSc Marketing
I grew up in a basketball family, both my parents played professionally and they are now coaching as well. Basketball has given me amazing memories, great opportunities and my best friends. I’m looking forward to my second season with the Kestrels family.
Sarah Connolly
Athletics
MA Advertising and Multimedia Communications
I am a heptathlete from Northern Ireland. I have recently competed for Ireland at the European Combined Events Team Championships in Madeira where we finished second as a team. Another achievement of mine includes finishing third in the heptathlon at BUCS.
Lex Damit
Athletics
BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science
I am a Luxembourgish U23 international athlete. My achievements include competing for Luxembourg at the European U18 Championships and finishing sixth at the U18 IAAF World Championships in Nairobi. I'm the current U23 Luxembourg record holder in decathlon with 7072 points. I hope to improve my performance with the help of the High Performance Academy.
Harry Barkaway
Football
BA (Hons) Football Business Management
For the last two years I have been playing semi-professional football, and aim to progress further playing for Team Solent FC. I also played for Maidstone United at youth level before moving onto men’s football playing for Sittingbourne Football Club.
Miguel Ralha
Hockey
BA (Hons) Sport Management
Hockey has changed my life. I was born in Lisbon and started playing hockey when I was 14 years old. Today, 10 years later, I have 100+ caps for the Portuguese National Team and I am about to start my second season in the English League. I was awarded Sportsman of the Year 2019 at Solent University.
Jan Kozel
Football
MSc Sport Science and Performance Coaching
I am a Czech footballer (professional/semi-professional level) and a part-time football coach at the Portsmouth FC academy. I completed my bachelor degree at Charles University in Prague and spent one year at the University of Lancaster while also playing for AFC Fylde. I’m also a holder of UEFA B and a candidate for UEFA A, and hope to be a manager in professional football one day.
Nicolas Gerome
Athletics
BA (Hons) Interior Design Decoration
I am a Franco-British decathlete born and brought up in France. I am proud to compete in Great Britain and the UK. I am twice consecutive GB champion 2018 Junior and 2019 U23. My goals are to qualify for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympics.
Prince Singh
Cricket
BA (Hons) Marketing
Cricket has taught me invaluable lessons and opened up many doors for me to continue my education while playing the game. My greatest achievement is that I got to play the whole 2019 season with Surrey 2nd XI in all formats.
Ryan Helmkay
Football
BA (Hons) Football Studies
I previously played in the youth system at Mansfield Town Football Club from the age of 13 to 18, also playing for the Clipstone FC first team. I also represented Nottinghamshire County U18s multiple times and I now play for Team Solent FC.
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