Two inspirational students have been given a full scholarship at Gary Neville's sports university. Leighton Flynn and Yasmin Baker were surprised by the former Manchester United captain after they applied for the UA92 scheme aimed at creating a pathway to higher education for disadvantaged youth.
The teenagers thought they were invited to the Old Trafford campus for the final stage of the selection process when they were instead greeted by Neville who awarded them each with scholarships covering their tuition fees.
Overcoming challenges
The scholarships are handed out to two students who have overcome incredible circumstances while still pursuing a university education. Leighton, 18, from Bolton, was only a child when he lost his father to cancer and was raised by his grandparents. A carer for his autistic younger brother, he was predicted to fail key GCSE subjects. However, he powered on and managed to turn his grades around and now his determination and hard work will see him study a two-year accelerated Sports Coaching degree this September.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot of challenges to get to this point, but they’ve made me more determined to succeed,” he said. “UA92 feels like the right place for me because it understands that everyone’s journey is different and gives students the support and opportunities they need to achieve their goals. This scholarship means I can focus on my degree and future without the financial pressure. I’m incredibly grateful to UA92 and Gary for believing in me.”
Athlete and carer
Also a carer, Yasmin, 18, from Wigan, will be studying Sports Journalism in September. Her days consist of taking care of a family member who lives with a serious illness, studying while training and competing as an elite-level shotputter. Earlier this year, she won a gold medal at the England Athletics Indoor Championships. She found out about the UA92 scholarship at her local Young Carers Centre.
Yasmin said: “Balancing my education with caring responsibilities has taught me resilience and determination and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Discovering UA92 showed me that there are flexible higher education options available that can fit around my circumstances while still helping me pursue my ambitions of working in sports journalism. I’m incredibly grateful for the support.”
Neville's praise
Talking about Yasmin and Leighton, Gary said: “Every year we meet incredible young people whose determination and resilience stop us in our tracks and inspire us. Leighton and Yasmin have both overcome challenges that could easily have stood in the way of their ambitions, yet they've continued to work hard and always believed in themselves. The Unlock Your Greatness Scholarship exists to remove financial barriers for students with exceptional potential, because talent is everywhere but opportunity isn't always equal. We can't wait to welcome them to UA92 and see what they achieve over the coming years.”
Steph Drivear, head of student success at UA92, said: “Leighton and Yasmin represent exactly what the Unlock Your Greatness Scholarship is all about. They've shown remarkable resilience, determination and commitment despite facing significant personal challenges. Higher education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. We hope these scholarships allow both students to focus on achieving their ambitions, knowing they have the support behind them to succeed.”
