Seven student athletes at the University of Aberdeen have received funding from an initiative that supports the 100 most promising student athletes in Scotland.

Winning Students 100 is a dual-career programme that supports 100 of the most talented student athletes studying at Higher and Further Education institutions in Scotland.

University of Aberdeen supported athletes include Josh Manson, Wheelchair Basketball, Olivia Burke and Zoe Winthrop, Freestyle Skiing; Maisie Aspinall, Rowing, Faye Rogers and Toni Shaw, Para Swimming; and Jamie Ferguson, Swimming. 

Since the Winning Students scholarships launched in 2008, the programme has supported over 1500 student athletes, including world and Olympic champions.

Congratulating the successful Aberdeen student athletes, Sport and Active Health Officer at the University of Aberdeen Gillian Kerr said: "It is fantastic news that the University of Aberdeen have seven individuals who have been selected for the Winning Students 100 National Sport Scholarship Programme.

"All the of the recipients work so hard to compete at the highest level in their chosen sport. It is also a testament to the University’s performance sport programmes that the number of athletes selected is so high. As we look forward to next year’s Paralympic and Olympic trials, I wish all our athletes every success.”

Head Coach of Performance Swimming, Patrick Miley, said: “To see the talent and hard work of these athletes being rewarded is extremely encouraging. Being a student athlete is a challenge in many ways. I have no doubt that the support from this National programme and the University will have a positive impact upon their dual-career."