Aspiring coach wins elite sports scholarship at uni
STUDENT A STEP CLOSER TO ‘DREAM ‘
A UNIVERSITY has made an aspiring football coach the first ever recipient of an elite sports scholarship.
Aaron Steavens is now closer to reaching his goal with the support of the Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship at Sunderland University.
Aaron, 22, is in the first year of his BSC sports science degree at the uni, with the scholarship designed to help a talented student athlete fulfil their potential while studying, and has been funded and supported by Sunderland-born Mike Clasper CBE in memory of his father, Douglas.
Mike is Chairman of SSP Group PLC, a global travel food and beverage company, and chairman of BIOSS, a global consultancy company.
Douglas Clasper Elite athletes will receive £2,000 each year of study, discounts on tuition fees and accommodation, and specialist support, including mentoring, sport massage and physiotherapy, gym access, strength and conditioning, nutritional advice and lifestyle management.
Aaron, from East Boldon, is a talented goalkeeper, and runs popular coaching sessions on social media, with over 500,000 followers across different platforms, including Tiktok and Instagram.
He has played semi-professional football since the age of 16, starting off at Chester-le-street Town, then moving on to South Shields, Seaham Red Star, Guisborough Town, West Auckland Town, Whickham and North
Shields. He said: “The opportunity that the Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship was offering is something I just couldn’t turn down, as I’ve been in goal since I was 11 years old.
“And my dream
is
to
be
coach for a team like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. This really feels like I am one step closer to that dream.”
“The Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship will be amazing for my studies. I can start investing more into my education to help with my longterm career goal of being a professional football coach.”
Mike Clasper added: “I am delighted that Aaron is the first Douglas Clasper Elite Athlete Scholar.
“My father would have delighted on so many counts.
“My father loved football, admired
been the sort of entrepreneurship flair that Aaron shows and, of course Aaron is from my father’s beloved North East.
“It is also exciting to see that our Sports Opportunity Fund is already helping a wider group of students at the University of Sunderland.”
The University of Sunderland offers scholarships to applicants, undergraduates and graduates to improve their opportunities, studies and professional career aspirations.
To find out more about what is available visit the university’s website online at www.sunderland.ac.uk
My dream is to be coach for a team like Real Madrid or Bayern. This really feels like I am one step closer to that
AARON STEAVENS