First-year Law student and Sussexsport Sport Scholar Matt Francis will play in the Fifa World Cup this summer, after being called up to the England squad last Tuesday (14 February).

Matt, who is captain of Brighton & Hove Albion’s Powerchair team and was named Young Sports Star of the Year at the 2015 Argus Community Stars Awards, was hotly tipped to be selected for the England squad since becoming a regular at the national team’s training camps.

Now, after displaying his impressive skills playing for Brighton & Hove Albion Powerchair FC, Matt is set to travel to Kissimmee, Florida and make his England debut at the World Cup in July.

The University of Sussex student will make his international appearance against the likes of Canada, Uruguay, Denmark, Argentina and Japan - a tremendous achievement, since Matt started playing the sport only in 2009.

Brighton & Hove Albion Powerchair FC is run by Albion in the Community - the Seagulls’ official charity - and the team play in the Muscular Dystrophy UK Premiership (MDUK WFA), where they are currently second in the country’s top division.

Since joining, Matt has been an ambassador for the game, being vocal in encouraging disabled football fans to get involved and attend matches.

Matt’s dedication to his sport immediately impressed Sussexsport, who awarded him a prestigious place on their Sports Scholarship Scheme in September 2016.

Terry Cooper, Deputy Head of Operations, Fitness and Performance, said: “When I met Matt to discuss his Sport Scholarship application it was clear that he was passionate about his sport and determined to succeed with Brighton & Hove Albion.

“It was this determination, plus the need for our support to reach the top, that made awarding a Sport Scholarship an easy decision. Matt’s personal goal was to represent the England national team at the highest level possible and I'm delighted that he has been able to achieve this.”

The Sport Scholar was honoured alongside fellow scholarship recipients at an evening with the Vice-Chancellor, Adam Tickell, in November 2016. And since starting at Sussex, Matt has been training twice a week at the University’s Sport Centre, has a Sussexsport mentor to support him on the scheme, and benefits from financial support from alumni and friends of the University through the Sussex Fund.

For many first-year students, just keeping up with studies can be a challenge. But Matt has immersed himself in university life as well as increasing his training schedule. The Sports Scholarship Scheme has helped Matt to juggle competing demands.

Matt said: “When I came to university I was worried that I would struggle to find time to train and also manage the costs of competing in the national league. Being a Sport Scholar for Powerchair Football has given me the support to manage both my studies and training programme.

“Being part of the scheme has also meant that I have been given access to the facilities at the University, allowing me to train much more frequently; this has really helped me get into the England squad for the World Cup. The funding from the scholarship has enabled me to continue to compete at the highest level in the MDUK WFA National Premiership.”

For Matt, sport has shown him that anything is possible, with his dream of playing for England soon to be a reality.

“Everyone who plays football when they are young wants to play for their country, so I am incredibly proud," he added.

"Football hasn’t just given me direction and many friends, it has taught me that life is limitless and you can do anything you put your mind to.”

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