International footballer launches Teesside University scholarship to support talented female footballers

Teesside University has teamed up with former student and international footballer Beth Mead to provide a unique scholarship opportunity to aspiring female footballers.

The Beth Mead Scholarship is now open for applications and is designed to support dual career students who have the potential to reach professional, national, or international level within women’s football.

Four scholarships are available for the 2022/23 academic year. Successful scholars will each receive a bursary of £1.2k as well as bespoke sport science support to help them “unlock their full potential”.

This will include strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sport nutrition, sport psychology, biomechanical analysis, and sport physiology from a team of experts at Teesside University. In addition, scholars will also receive one-to-one and group mentoring with Beth during their studies, as well as branded sports kits and gym membership.

Beth graduated from Teesside University with a BA (Hons) Sports Development in 2016 and was herself on the Elite Athlete Scheme which helped her to reach her sporting goals.

Since graduating Beth has played professionally for Sunderland, before moving to Arsenal where she currently plays. The striker is a member of the national team and represented England at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and was also named PFA Young Player of the Year in 2016.

Beth said: “The support I received from Teesside University was invaluable. I was fortunate to turn professional while still studying and, although it was a challenge, I am incredibly thankful that I was able to obtain my degree while also starting out on my professional football career.

“I think it is really important that talented female footballers are given the platform and support network to flourish. The women’s game has really taken off in recent years and young women are starting to see that football is a viable career.

“I am delighted to be working with Teesside University to offer this scholarship and hope it will inspire other talented female footballers to succeed and follow their dreams.”

Professor Mark Simpson, pro vice-chancellor (Learning & Teaching) at Teesside University, added: “Beth is an ambassador for Teesside University and exemplifies what can be achieved through passion, dedication, talent and hard work.

“She has achieved incredible success and is the perfect role model for young female footballers looking to follow in her footsteps.”