Hartpury University and Hartpury College were represented by alumni, students and staff at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, continuing a long tradition of Hartpury links at the highest level in sport.
Rowing
Former Hartpury College A-level student Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne won a bronze medal for Great Britain, competing in the Women’s Double Sculls.
Mathilda and her partner Becky Wilde held off a late challenge from their Dutch counterparts. The bronze medal contributed to an impressive haul for British rowing, improving on an unusually quiet Tokyo Games for Team GB just three years ago. The pair were coached by fellow Hartpury alum Tom Pattichis, now Olympic Pathway Manager for British Rowing and former Rowing Head Coach at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.
Rugby Sevens
Ellie Kildunne (A-level alum), Jade Shekells (A-level alum) and Megan Jones (Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport) represented Great Britain in women’s sevens while Zac Ward (Cert. HE Exercise and Sport Sciences) represented Ireland in men’s sevens.
Equestrian
In para-dressage, Jessica McKenna (BA (Hons) Equine Business Management) represented Ireland on her paralympic debut with her horse Davidoff 188. Jessica is a member of the Hartpury Equine Academy that provides training and support to talented riders across disciplines including dressage, show jumping and eventing. Jessica finished in tenth place in the Grade III individual equestrian event.
Athletics
Mel Nicholls (BSc (Hons) Equine Science alum) continued her distinguished paralympic career competing in the women’s paratriathlon finishing in 7th place.
Tom Radcliffe, Director of Elite Sport at Hartpury University and College said: “Being selected to represent your country at the Olympic or Paralympic level is an extraordinary achievement, and we’re beyond proud of the alumni and student athletes that were chosen to do just that. It’s also always great to see staff and students working in support roles across a multitude of sports. We look forward to following the journey of these individuals in future with many of them already looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028.
“I hope many more young people will be inspired not just by these performances, but also by the opportunities that exist in support roles such as coaching. There’s still time to study a degree at Hartpury University this year, so I’d urge anyone interested to check out our Clearing hub.”
There’s still time to study sport at Hartpury University
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to enjoy an exciting career in the sports industry, and there’s still time to apply to study at Hartpury University through Clearing. In the latest Guardian University Guide, Hartpury University ranks 4th in the UK in the Sports Science category, earning an impressive 92.5/100 Guardian score made up of student satisfaction and feedback statistics.
Whether you aspire to coach in the community, work with athletes, become a sports therapist or PE teacher, or manage a team or club, a Hartpury University degree will give you the qualifications, skills, and confidence to become a game changer in sport. Hartpury University alumni are already making a difference as coaches, nutritionists, strength and conditioning experts, and business professionals.
Undergraduate degrees include the BSc (Hons) Physical Education and School Sport, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition, BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning, and BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy. Postgraduate degrees include the MSc (and Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate) Strength and Conditioning, MRes Sport and Exercise Science, and MSc (and Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate) Sports Management.
Click here to learn more about studying sport at Hartpury University.
