Major (endowed) sports bursaries

There are at least twelve major sports bursaries available to help Queens' students requiring financial assistance to pursue high-level sport with the University or other representative teams (National, International, British Students etc.).

Each of these bursaries provides one annual award of £500 and the awarding of the bursaries is done at the end of each term. Funding might cover activities such as the Achilles overseas tour, warm-weather training, Varsity Blue tours, British Student games etc. If no financial help is required, the award might be made in any one year to recognise excellence by an athlete in any sport, the minimum standard for which would be winning a Blue.

Apply for one bursary generally using the application form and the awarding Fellows will make the choice of which named bursary an applicant receives. The  awarding Fellows are Professor Marie Edmonds and Mr Rowan Kitt. The deadlines for application in 2023-2024 are Friday 1 December 2023, Friday 15 March 2024 and Friday 14 June 2024. All applications for all awards are considered; successful applicants will be informed from which bursary they are to receive support.

For interest, the endowed bursaries available include:

The Lill Awardnamed after Andrew Lill (1989) who was an Athletics Blue and a Commonwealth 800m runner. He still holds the University record for 800m (set in 1992) and now lives in Sydney

Current recipients (2022-23): Jonathan Pinnell (Golf) and Grace Burton (Cricket)

Previous recipients: Laura Foster (Rowing), Callum McDonald (Rugby), Holly MacAskill (Sailing)

Photo: the 2021-22 recipient, Ruby Tew, at the Boat Races Crew Announcement 2022

Girl in rowing outfit standing in front of the union jack flag

The Richard Hargreaves Sports Bursary: Richard matriculated at the College in 1964 and is a generous benefactor.

Current recipient (2022-23): Flynn Ryan (Swimming)

Previous recipients: Oduma Adelio (Football), Flavio Salvati (Gliding), Izzy Montgomery (Hockey), Elizabeth Neri (Basketball), Freddie Markanday (Rowing)

Photo: Richard is thanked by the President at the Ceremony of Benefactors 2019

Two men shaking hands

The Mike Turner Sports Bursary: named in memory of Dr Mike Turner, Queens' greatest athlete. His obituary is on the College website.

Current recipients (2022-23): Ella Heathfield (Rugby Union), Polly Hipkiss (Rugby Union) and Jay Paul (Football)

Past recipients: Fiona Bunn (Orienteering & Cross-country) Rebecca Hartwell (Rowing), Gerard Kuenning (Rowing), Flynn Ryan (Swimming), Moritz Jakob Prysbilla (Football), Ellie White (Squash)

Photo: Mike in action

The Eleanor Duck Sports Bursary: named after a famed double Blue in Lacrosse and Athletics, Eleanor was an Osprey of the Year and got a First in Natural Sciences. She is now reading medicine at Oxford. The Fund was endowed by her father, Jonathan Duck (1979).

Current recipient (2022-23): Emilie Pauwels (Swimming)

Previous recipients: Eleanor Lee (Karate), Freddie Markanday (Rowing), Lucy Harris (Rowing), Mia Griso Dryer (Boxing)

Photo: Mia at the Dagenham Boxing Club Show

Girl wearing boxing gloves

The Alex Stout Sports Bursary: Alex rowed in the CU Lightweights Boat and was College rowing captain in 1999. She continues to row in the Masters' World Championships. She is a lawyer in Hong Kong.

Current recipient (2022-23): Holly Sheridan (Skiing)

Previous recipients: Billie Meadowcroft (Rowing), Grace Prendergast (Rowing)

Photo: Alex at the 1995 year group's 20th Anniversary Reunion

The George Band Sports Bursary: George Band is Queens' greatest mountaineer and was a member of the 1953 expedition that successfully conquered Mt Everest.

Current recipient (2022-23): Thomas Woolley (Swimming)

Previous recipients: Ryan Hoffman (Football), Kazimir Uzwyhshyn-Jones (Swimming)

Photo: Kazimir at the Blues Dinner 2022

Boy in blue suit and bow tie

The Griffin Sports Bursary: Elaine Griffin (1983) read Natural Sciences at Queens' and was captain of the University Gymnastics team for two years, winning a half-Blue.

Current recipient (2021-22): Polly Hipkiss (Football & Rugby)

Previous recipients: Izzy Montgomery (Hockey), Elizabeth Neri (Basketball)

Photo: Polly in her CUAFC kit

 Girl outside in blue t-shirt

The Grace Prendergast MNZM Sports Bursary: Grace Prendergast MNZM (2021) read for an MPhil at Queens' and is a World Rowing Champion. She is a 15-time national champion, an Olympic champion, and a five-time world champion.

Current recipient (2022-23): Jessica Spain (Rowing)

Previous recipient: Paul McMeekin (Sailing)

Photo: Grace at the Commemoration & Ceremony of Benefactors 2022

Girl sitting in church pew with candles around

The Pat Madden Sports Bursary: Pat Madden (1984) read Economics at Queens' and was involved with rugby, swimming, football and basketball. He won his half-blue in the University Basketball team and captained the Queens' basketball team that won Cuppers in 1985.

Current recipient (2022-23): Elizabeth Neri (Basketball)

Photo: Pat holding the Madden Cup on a visit to Queens' in 2022, which is awarded to the college winners of basketball Cuppers each year.