Scholarships and bursaries worth more than £10,000 have been presented to six talented students at the University of Wales, Newport to help them develop their sporting skills alongside their academic studies.

The University awarded three £1000 sports scholarships to students who have reached a minimum standard of play or coaching in their chosen sport. This year's recipients, Sarah Bascombe, Vicky Gaylard and Anthony Eversley, will each receive £1000 per year whilst at university, in the form of £500 in cash to help with training costs, equipment purchase etc, and £500 worth of support, including sports centre membership, fitness suite sessions and sports massage.

"The aim of the Sports Scholarship Scheme is to assist students of exceptional sporting ability to develop their academic and sporting talents to their fullest potential," explained Dr Hilary Matheson, Dean of the School of Humanities and Science. "Students on the scheme will be expected to participate in inter-university matches, league teams, tournaments and championships if selected to play."

Three students have also been awarded sports bursaries of £500 each. Budding athletes, Paul Jones, Jonathan Ainsley, and Carl McEwan will each receive the money towards their training costs in order to enable them to excel in their chosen sport.