For Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science student Rebekah Gribbon, receiving a UCOL Excellence Scholarship has taken the pressure off of her funding her studies.
In 2016 UCOL awarded five Excellence Scholarships to secondary school students to help cover the costs of studying a degree at UCOL for the following three years. Each scholarship was worth $9,000, with $3,000 going towards each student’s fees each year of study.
“Having the scholarship has meant that I have been able to focus on my studies rather than worrying about getting more hours at my part time job. I am extremely grateful to have been awarded this scholarship,” says Rebekah.
A keen sportsperson while at Rangitikei College, Rebekah saw the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science as the next step towards a career in the sports industry.
“I was attracted to the degree at UCOL after hearing that the programme was practical based and that going on placement throughout the year was encouraged. This meant that I was not always going to be in the classroom, but rather out in the field putting the theory into practice.”
Rebekah says she has really enjoyed the practical work she has done with sportspeople outside of UCOL. In her first year, she created
fitness programmes for Palmerston North Boys’ High School students. In her second year she performed massaging and strapping for the Marton Rugby Senior team, and worked with the Nga Tawa netball team on strength and conditioning.
“I am hoping to grow my dance school in the future so that I am able to share my passion for dance. I’m also excited about furthering my Exercise and Sport Science knowledge and being able to share this with my dance school students, who I believe have benefited hugely already from the things that I have learnt.”
Ultimately, Rebekah I would like to work in the rehabilitation and clinical exercise prescription area, helping people overcome their injuries and setbacks.
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