Students’ passion is a passport to award success

Hannah Marshall’s passion for sport earned her special recognition in our Passport Pride Awards.

Now in their tenth year, the University’s Passport Pride awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of our Passport students and institutions.

The aim of Passport is to encourage students’ progress from further education to university.

Hannah, 17, a student at Darlington’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, was named Passport Student of the Year at the Passport Pride awards ceremony, held on campus.

The Passport Student of the Year award is sponsored by the Northern Recruitment Group who will provide Hannah with a £1,000 scholarship awarded in three instalments when she secures a university place.

It's a fantastic achievement Hannah said: 'I got involved in Passport through volunteering for sports activities. It feels like a fantastic achievement to have won the award. I really enjoy getting involved in sport and think Teesside University would be great place to study, as the facilities for sports students are amazing.'

She was also one of 15 students who won Passport Pride awards in a range of academic subject categories, with Hannah named as winner of the Sport, Exercise and Leisure award, sponsored by Middlesbrough Football Club.

The Darlington Football Club fan volunteers with the FA Step into Sport programme, which aims to encourage young people to join local football teams.

She is also one of 10 students to be chosen from across the country to become a National Ambassador for British Colleges Sport. As an ambassador she will help organise the National British Colleges Championships at Loughborough including everything from buying medals to organising referees.

Hannah is in the final year of A levels and is considering higher education, with her ultimate dream being to receive a football scholarship to study in America.

She said: 'I’m aiming for a football scholarship but I am really impressed by the facilities at Teesside University. I came to an Open Day and saw things I’d never seen before such as the environment chamber to help athletes train for competitions in other climates. I’m also interested learning about the science of sport too.'

The Passport Pride awards also celebrate the University’s partnership with institutions in the region in supporting students progressing to higher education.

Middlesbrough College was named Outstanding Passport Institution of the Year while City of Sunderland College was named Passport Newcomer of the Year.

Abbie English, Schools & Colleges Recruitment Co-ordinator, said: 'Each year I am astounded by our Passport Pride nominees in terms of their academic ability and the extra lengths they have gone to better themselves and help others. I also have the privilege of meeting wonderful people who are exactly those Passport aims to support. They really are an inspiration.'

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