Chelsea Football Club and England forward Raheem Sterling has launched a scholarship fund that aims to close the gap in the number of Black British students who go to university.
Recent studies have found that less than five percent of UK students beginning undergraduate degrees in the 2021-22 academic year were Black. Now, through Sterling’s foundation, the former Manchester City winger has partnered with the University of Manchester and King’s College London to fund scholarships for seven students at each institution.
The first four scholarships will go to students beginning degree programs in 2023-24 and these will be split evenly between the two universities in Manchester and London. Commenting on his new initiative, Sterling said: “This opportunity will help young people access further education and present them with experiences and opportunities that will enhance their future career prospects.
“I hope his initiative will be a real game changer over the next few years and I am delighted to be working with two of the finest universities in the world. I wish the recipients of our funding all the very best and look forward to meeting everyone on campus in Manchester and London later this year.”
The Raheem Sterling Foundation was set up in 2020 to help the most disadvantaged in society. It followed campaign work done by Sterling’s England teammate Marcus Rashford, another Premier League star who has attempted to help those in need by tackling food poverty across the UK.
In other sports news, Nick Nurse is no longer the Toronto Raptors head coach.
