Manchester Met welcomes latest cohort of elite sports scholars

Manchester Metropolitan University has unveiled the latest cohort of elite student-athletes selected for the prestigious Man Met Sport Scholars Programme.

Each year, the University awards scholarships to some of the UK’s most talented athletes, supporting them in balancing academic excellence with competitive sporting success. For the 2025/26 academic year, 65 student athletes have been awarded a scholarship following a rigorous selection process.

Comprehensive support for student-athletes

The bespoke scholarship package provides access to:

· Expert nutrition, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning

· Specialist psychological support

· Financial assistance and contributions towards fees

The programme forms part of Manchester Met’s Institute of Sport mission: to push boundaries, improve lives and shape society through sport and health.

Phil Cook, Head of Performance Sport at Manchester Met, said:

“The continued growth of the scholarship programme has allowed us to recruit elite athletes across our strategic sports, reinforcing our ambition to be a destination of choice for dual-career athletes. These opportunities also include initiatives such as the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) dual-career accreditation, which this year supports 44 athletes from across the region.”

Proven track record of success

Over the years, Manchester Met has supported Olympians, Paralympians, and world champions. This year’s scholars represent 11 sports across all four University faculties, including rugby, swimming, cycling, netball, basketball, and lacrosse.

Among the standout athletes joining the programme are three elite para swimmers:

· Bruce Dee – Paralympian, 4th place at the most recent Games, currently representing GB at the Para Swimming World Championships

· Ela Letton-Jones – Silver medallist in the S12 100m backstroke, also competing at the Para Swimming World Championships

· Kieran Williams – Multiple BUCS Champion, currently competing for GB at the Para Swimming World Championships

Other notable athletes include:

· Lowri Thomas – Commonwealth Games medallist and Olympian (track cycling)

· Halle Ferguson – Multiple BUCS Champion and British Champion medallist (athletics)

· Lucy Armitage & Luke Bond – Selected for the 2025 World University Games (athletics and lacrosse, respectively)

· Callum Eccles – GB men’s water polo goalkeeper

· Ed Mildred – BUCS Champion, record holder, and World Championship team member (swimming)

International reach and strategic partnerships

The programme continues to attract talent worldwide, welcoming international athletes including Bradly Foote (USA), Patrick O’Leary (Canada), and Cullen Massey (South Africa).

Rugby Union remains a key area of growth, bolstered by Manchester Met’s strategic partnership with Sale Sharks, which provides a clear pathway for talented athletes into elite-level rugby. Four new international students have also joined the Rugby Performance Athlete Programme, bringing valuable international experience.

World-class facilities

Scholars benefit from access to leading venues such as the Manchester Aquatics Centre, Platt Lane Sports Complex, and the University’s state-of-the-art Institute of Sport.

The 2025/26 cohort was officially welcomed at an event held in September at the Institute of Sport. Find out more about Man Met Sports scholarships.