Technip Supporting Future Sports Stars
24 February 2009
Leading subsea engineering and construction contractor, Technip is continuing to help develop sporting excellence in the North-east, with £10,000 worth of funding presented to the Robert Gordon University (RGU), Aberdeen, for their sport scholarships.
Technip is currently supporting 20 of 25 athletes as part of the RGU: SPORT Scholarship Programme, which was developed in conjunction with the University and launched in 2007. In addition to financial support, the Scholarship Programme also provides a support package of tailor-made programmes devised to support individual needs, sports discipline and academic course requirements.
Among those awarded Technip-supported scholarships this year is student horse rider Rebecca Stephen (19) from Whiterashes, Aberdeen. Rebecca is part of the British squad which currently holds the world number one ranking for dressage, following the International University Equestrian Federation World Finals, which took place in Luxembourg last month.
Rebecca explained: “The scholarship is giving me support in lots of areas; financially it means I can now afford to go to all the competitions, I get help in getting time off from classes, and the strength and conditioning programme has helped me build up areas of weakness in my game.”
Others benefiting include Laura Murray (20) from Alford, currently ranked number 3 in the Scottish Ladies Order of Merit for golf, and Rachel Corsie (19) from Aberdeen, who captained Scotland's under-19s women's football team to the finals of the UEFA European Women's Championship last year.
While Rhiann Macleod (18) from Blair Atholl, is another among the cream of RGU's sporting enthusiasts thriving under the support of the Scholarship Programme. Rhiann is currently enjoying her most successful curling season to date having reached the finals of a number of international competitions recently.
Katrine Sharp, HR Director at Technip, said: “These scholarships aim to enhance the athletes' chances of success in their respective sports, which will have direct benefits for the students' themselves, the region, and ultimately, the nation.
“With the focus on the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2012 Olympics, many of the future British Team are likely to be entering university over the coming years and will be greatly aided by initiatives of this kind. We are avid supporters of nurturing future talent and are extremely pleased to once again have the opportunity to support both sporting and academic excellence.”
Filippo Antoniazzi, Director of Sport at RGU said: “We are delighted to have Technip supporting the programme as we feel that this is a great opportunity to be part of several talented athletes' careers. The Programme has grown every year and ensures that RGU: SPORT can deliver a full range of services to the ever growing number of scholars studying at RGU.”
