Tom Reeves looks at the impact of a new link-up with cricket great Michael Holding…
The University of East London are closing in on their aim to become the best institution in London for sport – just in time for their self-imposed 2015 deadline.
The University boasts state-of-the-art sports facilities that are the envy of many counterparts – including the £21 million SportsDock building, which the United States Olympic Committee chose to base its athletes at, ahead of London 2012; and which a number of top-class athletes have been making use of, including European 200m champion Adam Gemili, double Commonwealth silver medallist swimmer Aimee Willmott and Commonwealth 200m bronze medallist Bianca Williams.
The trio are all part of the University of East London’s ever-expanding Sports Scholarship line-up, which this year comprises 84 sportsmen and women from 13 different countries.
And West Indies cricket great Michael Holding has joined forces to launch a brand new international scheme part of the plans to increase its legacy.
Holding, one of the greatest fast bowlers in history, has established close links with UEL since 2013 when he was awarded an honorary degree for services to sport.
This led to the new £3,000 scholarship scheme that will begin in September 2015 and is aimed at Jamaicans who participate in all sports.
Any student awarded the scholarship will automatically become part of UEL’s International Sports Ambassadors scheme.
In addition, the scholar will get a free SportsDock membership, free sports kit, a ticket to the UELSports annual awards ceremony and much more.
“He has always been a supporter of education and sport with UEL aiming to be the number 1 university in London for sport,” said International Student Recruitment Ranjeeta Maharaj on the newly-formed partnership with Holding.
“It is only fitting that such a partnership be established that would link the two (education and sport).
“UEL has such a diverse population with quite a number of Jamaican students as well. This is yet another reason for the fit.”
It remains unclear if UEL will become the top BUCS team in London inside the next few months.
But, there is no doubt the sporting future of the university looks bright, regardless of whether it reaches its goal.