Talented Athlete Programme
Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D6izchbxec
The Talented Athlete programme is designed to support student athletes so they can sustain their level of sport whilst studying at Keele. Various support is available, from access to facilities and physio, to support with seeking funding. For more info visit www.keele.ac.uk/sport.
Hi, I’m Alex. I’m a physiotherapist, I’m a cyclist, and I’m part of The Talented Athlete Programme.
So, The Talented Athlete Programme has helped me in quite a few ways. First of all, the support with the gym and these facilities within Keele.
It’s all free and everyone is very helpful, allowing me to access the equipment and get the support I need.
Financially, they’ve given me some support for travel, which has allowed me to get to a few of my races. As a student, finances are not great at the moment, but it’s been really helpful.
Also, just having access to a nice bit of kit has made a difference.
I’ve been cycling for about two and a half to three years. I got into cycling when Chris Froome won his first Tour de France in 2013. My father lives out in the Southern Alps, and I was watching the Tour out there. It really inspired me—I thought, “That’s something I want to do.”
I’m currently racing national races and have done a bit abroad. For example, last year I did the Junior Tour of Ireland and I was also the Welsh Junior Road Race Champion. I think that’s my best result so far to date.
I chose Keele because, first of all, it offered the course I want to do, which is physiotherapy—a very highly regarded course at this university.
Another reason is the location. It’s quite a central position, which gives me access to races around the country for my cycling.
It’s also a really good environment—very rural, not a city-based university. That’s great for my cycling, as I like being out in the fresh air and in hilly areas.
And thirdly, on open day it just stood out to me as a place I’d like to come and study.
