A STUDENT from the Isle of Wight who won a globally competed-for rowing scholarship to study in the United States, is also to be awarded the university’s main sporting awards.
Bass Andre, a third-year geography student at Bangor University in Wales, is to study a masters degree in anthropology at Tulsa University, with a full rowing scholarship.
Bass, of Sandown, will also be assisted by the Llewelyn Rees Memorial Prize from Bangor University.
A keen rower, competing mostly in a quad, Bass has been club captain of rowing at the university this year.
Individual and team successes have helped to put the club on a sure footing for the future, having brought the club to the attention of Welsh Rowing and securing more coaching guidance for the student coaching-led club.
Bass began rowing when aged 16 with Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club.
The student's ambition for the next two years includes getting selected for the fastest boat team at Tulsa and to improve sufficiently to be eligible to qualify for GB senior trials, once the masters degree is completed.
The Llewelyn Rees Memorial Award of £750 commemorates the university’s director of physical recreation, between 1961-72.
It is awarded to the student who has made the greatest contribution to raising the profile of sport at Bangor University by his or her achievement at national or international level.
Bass chose to study at Bangor because he felt the location was perfect for his geography degree — being so close to the coast and Snowdonia National Park.
The Islander also wanted to be part of a smaller, close-knit society, rather than a huge university, so Bangor was the ideal choice for him.
Part of Bass's consideration was that the university had a rowing team.
“I’ve enjoyed studying and rowing at Bangor immensely," said Bass.
"The experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met have shaped my university and future life.
"Being a member of the rowing team has made me push myself — both physically and mentally — and I’d never have been able to do it without the support of everyone at the club.
"Every session was a team effort and I enjoyed them all — even the 5am winter sessions at the lake.
"My best memories have been made with the rowing club and I will miss everyone very much when I leave this year.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have received the Llewelyn Rees Memorial Award.
"It’s an amazing feeling to know my efforts at the rowing club have helped raise the profile of Bangor University and I'm glad to have been able to give back to the university in this way.
"I will proudly wear my Bangor kit when I train out in the United States.
"The money from this award will pay for my flights to Tulsa this August, which will be a great help to me.”
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