High Performance Academy students
Kelly Simm
Gymnastics
BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science
I’m a Great Britain artistic gymnast who has studied over five years with the support of the University's dual career programme. While at university, I have competed in two Commonwealth Games, winning gold in 2014 and silver and bronze in 2018. I have also competed at two World Championships, winning bronze in 2015. I won the World University Games all round gold medal in 2015, and also became British all-round and bars champion in 2018.
Mahamed Mahamed
Athletics
BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Development
I am currently a Great Britain U23 international athlete. My achievements to date include competing for GB at the European U20 Championships and winning a bronze individual medal and three team medals in cross country. I am the current British Universities (BUCS) 3,000m indoor champion, came sixth in the Great South Run in 2018, and have also broken 14 minutes for 5,000m with a PB of 13.55.
Nathan Blackie
Athletics
BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science
I compete on the track in 100m, up to 800m events in the T34 classification for athletes with cerebral palsy. I have competed for Great Britain at the IWAS World Junior Games in 2014, finishing fifth in the 100m and 400m and fourth in the 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 Paralympic Games.
William Arnott
Boccia
BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching
I have played boccia for eight years now. Over the last year I was selected for the England squad and have been given the opportunity to go to three international tournaments. I recently won a gold in the pairs and individuals in Russia. I also won the individual competition at the Scottish Open, which is my greatest achievement to date and involved playing some of the best players in Britain.
Vicky Carleton
Football
BA (Hons) Sports Studies
I am in my final year as a sports studies student. My greatest achievements are scoring my first international goal and making my senior debut for Northern Ireland women’s international team. I now play in the FA's Women's Championship with Lewes FC. My dream is to play in the WSL and have a successful career for as long as possible.
James Clowes
Boccia
MA Visual Communications
I am 23 and I have been playing boccia for nine years. I have undertaken two Great Britain talent programmes and I’ve been an England squad member for eight years, and on their talent pathway. I’m now studying an MA Visual Communication at Solent, having graduated with a BA (Hons) Graphic Design 2:1.
Matt Davis
Basketball
BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance
I started playing basketball aged seven. When I was 16 I joined Reading Rockets, playing in their U18s and men's Division 1 teams. I then moved to Spain to play for UCAM Murcia's Liga EBA team - while there I got the offer to play and study at Solent University.
Chiara di Stefano
Basketball
BA (Hons) Photography
I’m from Italy, near Milan. I came to England three years ago at the age of 16. I started playing basketball nine years ago and now, after two seasons in Reading, I play in the Division 1 National League for Team Solent Kestrels.
Jasmine Dorks
Rowing
BSc (Hons) Marketing
I first started rowing after being inspired to give it a go when watching it in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Since then I’ve competed in many regional and national events, including Henley, BUCS, Ghent International Regatta, and many others.
Arthur Godsal
Cricket
BA (Hons) Sports Studies
My greatest achievements are being part of the England Development Programme (EDP/ England U17s), playing for the Young Lions (England U19s), and receiving a professional summer contract at Middlesex CCC 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.
James Chute
Basketball
MA Creative Enterprise
Basketball has taken me to the United States as a student athlete and across five European countries as a professional. Doing what I love as a means to put food on the table and see the world has been a blessing. Last season in the Italian C Gold, I registered a season-high 36 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. This year's sights are set on championships with both the Solent BUCS and Solent Kestrels NBL Division 1 teams.
Elliot Dadds
Basketball
BA (Hons) Accountancy and Finance
I am very grateful for the opportunity Solent University has given me to study alongside playing for the University and Solent Kestrels Division 1 teams. My main aims are to win as much silverware as possible over three years and to challenge myself to improve every day, both on and off the court.
John Averkamp
Basketball
MSc International Business Management
I recently graduated from St Cloud State USA (NCAA Division 2), where I was a three year starter. In my final season I averaged 17.4 points per game, leading the Huskies to a 24-9 record. I received my undergraduate degree in accounting and I'm now continuing my studies at Solent University on a master's programme.
Claudia Escohotado
Basketball
BA (Hons) Criminology
I am from Madrid, in Spain. I have played basketball most of my life. I have played in different teams across Spain, and one season in the US, in Missouri. I am in my first year at Solent University.
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 Team Solent Kestrels women's basketball team.
Geena Gomez
Basketball
MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
I am from the US, where I attended San Diego State University for four years. I'm currently studying for my master's degree at Solent University. I have been playing basketball since I was three years old and love the game with a passion. I play for Team Solent Kestrels.
Kristian Martin
Cricket
MSc Athletic Development and Peak Performance
I am currently studying a master's at Solent University, having previously studied sports science in Leeds. I am an off-spinner all-rounder and have been playing for Middlesex 2nd XI throughout the 2018 season. I have previously spent time playing grade cricket in Australia and am captain of my club, Ealing CC. My goal is to gain a professional contract and I am looking forward to training and playing for Solent.
Jake Goodwin
Cricket
BA (Hons) Sport Coaching and Sport Development
My greatest achievement in cricket is making my professional T20 debut for Hampshire in July 2016, opening the batting and scoring 32. I have also established myself in second team cricket for Hampshire in previous years, which led to a summer scholarship. I am looking to work my way back up to become a full-time professional within the near future.
Ryan Penny
Football
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy
I am currently studying sports therapy at Solent University. I previously played in the youth 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 now play for Team Solent FC.
Hisham Kasimu
Football
BA (Hons) Football Studies
I'm a second year student at Solent University. I'm currently in my second year with Team Solent FC, having had a successful first year in the 2017/18 season, being named top scorer with 32 goals in 23 league appearances. I also received the Manager's Player of the Year award. Before I came to Solent, I had trials with Charlton Athletic FC and Barnsley FC. My aim is still to become a professional footballer.
Chi Hin Lou Tan
Golf
BA (Hons) Sport Management
I’m from Hong Kong and I've been studying in Scotland since I was 12 at Loretto School. At the same time, I played golf at an elite level. My greatest achievement 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 look forward to representing Solent on the BUCS tour.
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've also signed for Southampton Women's FC this season and my ambition is to progress with this team into the WSL to play professionally.
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 is being an assistant referee 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, which is my best 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 for competing in the 2024 Paralympics.
Ash Buckman
Athletics
BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science
I am a third year student at Solent. I compete in triple jump for club and country. I recently had success by finishing seventh at the BUCS Nationals. My PB is 14.09, but I plan on jumping much further with the help of Solent's High Performance Academy. Alongside my training, I also work as a sport and coaching intern within the high performance team.
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 Spanish National Champion and, most significantly, silver medallist at the World Championships in Rhode Island. I intend to keep up the momentum as I transition into the Olympic 470 class boat.
Silvano Obeng
Football
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy
I was born in Brescia, Italy and, prior to coming to England six years ago, I played in the Brescia youth team. I have also represented Northamptonshire County for two years and joined Kettering Town FC U21, where I progressed into the first team, scoring 23 goals. I had trials with Brackley FC and Sutton United before joining Solent University and playing for Team Solent FC.
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