If you excel in sport, our sports scholarship provides students with extensive financial and mentoring support, so our students can study their degree whilst competing at a national or international level in their field.  

For Alison Waters, an MSc student in our School of Life and Health Sciences, the Roehampton University Scholarship for Sporting Excellence allowed her to continue competing as a professional squash player, leading to her winning two silver medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

Alison chose to study at Roehampton as when she started her masters she could continue competing in professional squash. She was also drawn to Roehampton because of the University’s connections with Wimbledon Squash Club and Roehampton Club, where she used to train. “It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It really complimented my squash career”, she added. 

“I knew some of the players already and the squash team got me involved from the start. There were some good players to train with and it was nice being part of a team”,  

Alison was thrilled to have the opportunity to start a new educational path at Roehampton: “I really enjoyed the experience of being in class and meeting new people. Also, both campuses were nice and there’s a good atmosphere at the university”.  

The support offered by the Sport Scholarship made balancing academic study with the demands of training possible for Alison. She specifically thanks James Ayres, Roehampton’s Sport and Active Communities Manager, for his support, as well as the support of her lecturers.  

When asked if there was any advice, she’d offer to someone who wants to combine a career in sports with academic study, she said “it was one of the best things I’ve ever done, it really complimented my squash career. It also took the pressure away from purely thinking about squash and has opened new opportunities for me.” 

Find out more about our Sport Scholarship here: https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/student-life/sport-roehampton/sport-scholarship/ 

• Why did you choose Roehampton? 

I picked Roehampton because when I started the MSc, I was still a professional squash player and I trained at The Roehampton club and sometimes at Wimbledon as well. Also, I knew there was a good squash set up and the university would be understanding of my squash commitments. 

• How did your lecturers support you with your training and studying?  

They were fantastic and if I needed an extension they were very supportive and were there if I needed help.  

• Which has been your biggest challenge so far?  

Just adapting to being in lectures and feeling confident that I could contribute to the lessons and do the assignments.  

• Do you have any role model?  

There were a couple of squash players when I was growing up who inspired me. Otherwise, no one currently, I find inspiration in people that work hard and really commit to achieving their goals.  

• If you must give some advice to someone that wants to combine a career in sports with another career, what would you say?  

It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It really complimented my squash career as I had a lot of spare time, so it was great to have my uni work to fill this gap. It also took the pressure away from purely thinking about squash and has opened new opportunities for me.