Rugby player wings his way to graduation

12 Jul 2013

A University student who completed his final year studies while training and playing with rugby union team Sale Sharks graduated this week.

Charlie Amesbury’s dedication to sport and studies has paid off, as he has achieved a 2:1 (Upper Second) classification in his BSc (Honours) Biology degree. 

Charlie transferred to Manchester after signing a professional contract with the Trafford rugby club but was advised to spread his final year of studies over two years so he could commit to the heavy training schedule.

Charlie said: “I am very pleased with my result – the grade is a reflection of the excellent support offered by the University, being sensitive to individual needs while still delivering first-class teaching.

"Combining a professional sports career with a time-intensive degree such as Biology would have been impossible had it not been for this support.

"With modern lecture theatres allowing for advanced teaching techniques, such as podcasting, it meant that even when lectures and training schedules clashed I could catch up with my fellow students and not be left behind."

Charlie's final year research project involved studying the body clocks of professional rugby players from several premiership clubs, including Sale, and comparing them with non-rugby-playing men of the same age.  

His supervisor, Professor Andrew Loudon, is a world expert on biological clocks – as well as a keen Sale Sharks fan – so it was a perfect match. Charlie’s research, which Professor Loudon hopes to see published, explored whether the biological clocks of professional rugby players are well-synchronised and able to be more active earlier in the day than non-rugby players.

Professor Loudon said: “Charlie is incredibly organised and to hold down a competitive place playing on the wing in a premiership rugby club, with a ferocious training regime, and then to perform academically as he did takes some doing. The team at Sale Sharks were also very supportive and we thank them for their co-operation.”

Charlie has benefited from being part of the University’s Sports Scholarship Scheme, which provides a range of support for students including funding for free gym access, physiotherapy sessions, lifestyle support and strength and conditioning coaching.

Professor Matthew Cobb, Associate Dean for Social Responsibility, said: “We recognise that university life is not only about academic achievement, and that some students cope with major challenges in life and work.”