Five students from Hartpury have won the opportunity to play at the highest level in domestic student sport after being selected for the English Universities national football squad.
Zak Drew, Ryan Beckinsale, King Baidoo, Stephen Sarkodie and Adam Forster – who are all enrolled on degree programmes at Hartpury University – have been named in the elite squad for the 2020-21 academic year.
More than 60 Hartpury students have represented English Universities, while in excess of 30 students have turned professional from Hartpury’s football programme.
Third-year student Zak Drew, who is studying a BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching degree, plays as a forward for the Hartpury University first team and Cinderford Town FC.
Ryan Beckinsale (third year, BA (Hons) Sports Business Management) plays as a central midfielder for the Hartpury University first team and Yate Town FC, and has secured a postgraduate scholarship to study at university in the United States.
King Baidoo (second year, BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning) is a forward for the Hartpury University first team and Westfields FC.
Stephen Sarkodie (second year, BA (Hons) Sports Business Management), is a goalkeeper for the Hartpury University first team and Westfields FC, while Adam Forster (third year, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching) is a goalkeeper for the Hartpury University first team and Beaconsfield Town FC.
Chris Knowles, Men’s Senior Football Manager at Hartpury, said: “It’s great to see the lads representing England and Hartpury at this level.
“It’s another opportunity for them to showcase their talents and a great memory for them to look back on once they’ve left university and had long and successful careers.
“This representation continues a long line of Hartpury alumni that have pulled on the England shirt and it’s a programme we always support.”
Last summer, Hartpury launched its first-ever non-League football club side – Hartpury University FC – playing in the National League System to provide students with further opportunities to become professional footballers.
As a TASS Dual Career Accredited Site, Hartpury provide its students with the support they need to fulfil their sporting ambitions alongside studying for their academic qualifications
Student footballers at Hartpury have access to a range of world-class facilities on campus, including a floodlit grass football pitch and two 3G all-weather surfaces.
Its new £8.8 million Sports Academy includes a biomechanics laboratory, a rehabilitation suite featuring an anti-gravity treadmill, and a human performance laboratory with an altitude chamber and sports hall.
Picture: left to right, Stephen Sarkodie, Zak Drew, Ryan Beckinsale, King Baidoo and Adam Forster
