[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Megan Parker from Leeds Beckett University is the winner of the 2019 Society of Sports Therapists Student Travelling Scholarship to York University, Canada.
Megan, who recently celebrated gaining a First Class Honours degree in Sports & Exercise Therapy fought off tough competition from three other finalists, chosen from an open round of national applications.
The good news was given to Megan by Professor Graham N. Smith, Chairman of the Society of Sports Therapists and a member of the interview panel, and it came as quite a shock to her. She said:
‘When the result was announced, I just went blank. I was really overwhelmed and surprised but so, so happy. I was completely in awe to be honest.’
Professor Smith was joined on the interview panel by Dr Loriann Hynes, who is Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science at York University and who had travelled from Canada to be a part of the process, and Maggie McNerney, Director of Charles Whitney Limited, the marketing and PR company for the Society.
Megan, who was supported on the day of the interviews by her father and sister who had travelled with her from Sheffield, is the third graduate to travel to Toronto for this exciting programme. She will be based on the York University campus and will spend time with the staff at the Gorman Shore Athletic Therapy Clinic, experiencing a pre-season training camp environment with University teams, along with match preparation and opportunities to travel with the teams.
Megan’s love of sport, her experience playing a wide variety of sports and the knowledge and skills she has gained from her time at Leeds Beckett University will stand her in good stead to make the most of her time in Canada. When asked what she is most excited about, Megan said:
‘I’m looking forward to just getting stuck into everything. It sounds like I’m going to have so many opportunities out there and the travelling for away games will be an experience in itself, with getting the players prepped and ready. It’s just so exciting.’
‘My accommodation wasn’t based on campus at Leeds Beckett, so to actually be on a university campus and experience that will be completely new to me too.
‘One thing that I want to do is to get totally immersed in York University’s culture, along with being involved in all of the varsity teams and spending time with all of the different athletes. I just can’t wait.’
Reflecting on the interviews Professor Smith said:
‘It is always difficult when we get to the interview stage, as all of the candidates selected have the potential to be great ambassadors for the Society with this opportunity. However, there is always the one who has that indiscernible X factor that gives them the edge and makes you feel this is the person to be selected.
‘This year, for me, it was Megan and I know that she will not only enjoy and benefit from the experience that York University will give her, but that she will be a credit to both The Society of Sports Therapists and Leeds Beckett University.’
Good luck Megan – a fabulous opportunity awaits you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]