They discussed what it was like to train and study as athletes at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, making the most out of the amazing facilities and opportunities, and why it’s important to take time to ‘switch off’.  

Speaking about her first time at the University, Jill said: “The fantastic thing is you get here and you make friends, everybody's in the same boat, and I think you do have to push outside of your comfort zone because they are the friendships that’ll get you through. But there’s a whole other world here, the amount of times we got to play football together, study together, have that free time together – I wish I could go back and do it all again actually!” 

Discussing her experience as an elite athlete at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, Karen – who was recently announced as the University’s Health, Sport and Wellbeing Ambassador – said: “We were exposed to amazing facilities and for a female athlete growing up we didn’t have the luxury of facilities, and when we came on campus we were exposed to the Netball Centre and the Cricket Centre , the football pitches, Powerbase, as well as other athletes.  

“There’s no way I would have had exposure to any of that if I I hadn’t come here. So, again, really grateful to learn from the fellow athletes but also to have the ability to go and train in the best facilities, and for me that was a real big weapon, and I think that really helped us get to the levels that we wanted to get to.” 

Karen and Jill were recently invited to the campus to open the brand-new Carney&Scott’s bar at the recently refurbished Burleigh Court Conference Centre and Hotel located on the University’s campus.