Benjamin Manning

Getting a solid education has always been an important part of my life, I believe that it is key to opening up all sorts of opportunities in the future, and , as much as I love my sport I know it won’t last forever at the elite level.  I’ve also found more and more that my sport and study compliment one another, the determination and commitment to achieve the best I can in canoe has rolled into my study.

Learning time management and handling the pressure of exams and assignments through study has flowed back into racing performance.  I really believe I am achieving more by being focused on both my sport and study rather than either alone.  My study takes my mind away from always thinking about sport and my sport takes my mind away from always thinking about study. You have to work really hard at both but I know that I’m going to end up in a position where I have done amazing things and had incredible experiences via canoeing and the opportunity to go onto an amazing and exciting career.

Finding the balance between work, life and sport is really challenging, and I am grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship as it helps me to keep pursuing both my sporting and academic goals.