Wales calls up Sussex graduate for international hockey tournament
Roseanne Thomas
A new Sussex graduate could be celebrating again this week as she competes in an international hockey tournament.
Roseanne Thomas is playing in goal for the Welsh national hockey team at this week’s EuroHockey Championships in Athens, Greece.
Wales stormed to a 10-0 victory against hosts Greece in their first match yesterday (Sunday 21 July), which was Roseanne’s debut in a major international competition with the senior squad.
The start of the tournament came just over a week after Roseanne graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in Biomedical Sciences.
Roseanne has represented the Welsh hockey team at various levels since the age of 13 and captained Sussex’s women’s hockey team this year.
She said: "I have had a busy few months and I am very proud and excited to be capped again.
“I have to thank the University of Sussex and Students’ Union sports departments for helping me with my fitness, technique and their unwavering support."
Roseanne received a Sussex sports bursary throughout her three years on campus and was one of only six Sussex students in 2012-13 to receive a High-Performance Athlete Award from the University. The award is the highest level of sports bursary that the University gives to its students and recognises Roseanne’s rise into senior international competition.
Sports bursaries are offered annually to Sussex athletes who play at an international or national standard in their chosen sport and are supported by former students through the Sussex Fund, managed by the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
The support package – provided by the University’s sports service (Sussexsport) and the Students’ Union – includes free use of the University’s sports facilities, fitness testing and programming, physiotherapy/sports massage support, a parking permit, a financial package, regular mentoring sessions, and some academic flexibility.
The EuroHockey tournament runs from 21 to 26 July.