20 Years at the Top

The University of Exeter Sports Scholarship Scheme is one of the most prestigious in the UK, helping the best student athletes reach their full potential. The scheme provides a comprehensive support package and is tailored to suit the needs of each individual athlete. Many of our graduating scholars have progressed to a professional level in their chosen sport and represented their respective countries on the global stage.

Amber Reed, Women's Rugby

Amber Reed (Exercise and Sports Science, 2013) was part of the England Women’s Rugby World Cup squad who were crowned champions in 2014. England dominated the tournament and Amber, who had captained the University of Exeter Women’s Rugby Club to British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) National Championship victory the year before, helped England claim the title for the first time in two decades. Amber has a full-time England contract for 2019/20 and also plays for the Bristol Bears.

David 'Freddie' Carr, Sailing

David ‘Freddie’ Carr (Sport and Health Sciences, 2004) is currently training for the 2021 America’s Cup with Sir Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team. He has competed in four America’s Cups; racked up an impressive eight podium finishes from 12 America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) events, including three event wins; and competed in five Extreme Sailing Series where he was crowned champion in 2009.

Freya Davies, Women's Cricket

Freya Davies (Law, 2017) was part of the England Cricket Board Academy while at Exeter, and following graduation was offered a full contract in the latest England squad. She has also represented Western Storm in the Kia Super League since the inaugural season and won the title with them in 2017 and 2019. In 2018 Freya was named as Western Storm Bowler of the Year. In addition Freya plays for Sussex and England, and has been selected for London Spirit in The Hundred in 2020.

Philip Rowe, Golf

Philip Rowe (Exercise and Sports Science, 1999) is Associate Head Coach for the men’s golf team at UNLV in Las Vegas. He has won four professional tournaments as well as amateur championships including as part of the winning Great Britain and Ireland Team versus the USA in the Walker Cup 1999.

Kathryn Lane, Women's Hockey

Kathryn Lane (Business and Marketing, 2016) was University of Exeter Women’s Hockey 1st team captain. She won Bronze with Team GB at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018 and competed in the Hockey World Cup.

Sam Skinner, Men's Rugby

Sam Skinner (Business Economics, 2017) combined his studies with training full-time with Exeter Chiefs. He captained the University team to BUCS Championship success in 2016 and graduated with a First Class degree. He continues to play for the Chiefs and has also played internationally for Scotland, being named Man of the Match on his debut in 2019.

Duncan Scott, Men's Hockey

Duncan Scott is currently studying Geography at Exeter. He is part of the England U21 and Great Britain Elite Development programme 2018/2019. Duncan plays in the Men’s Hockey 1st Team, who won the BUCS Championship in 2019 and were recently promoted to the Premier Division of the Men’s Hockey League.

Hannah Diamond, Sailing

Hannah Diamond (MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine, 2012) represented Great Britain at World and European Championships at both junior and youth level, twice winning the Female Youth European Championships in the double handed 29er class. She also won a silver medal in the Nacra 17 class at the World Championships in 2013, and a leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. She’s currently preparing for an Olympic campaign with sailing partner Henry Bomby.

Emily Toy, Golf

Emily Toy (Exercise and Sports Sciences, 2019) started playing golf for England while studying, competing in the likes of the European Nations Championship and Scottish Women’s Open. She has also won the BUCS Championship, the R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament and the 2019 Womens Amateur Championship.

To support the Sports Scholars Programme please visit the website: exeter.ac.uk/donate/sportscholars