Published on 05 July 2018
Sunderland’s own footballing superstar Jill Scott and Wearside-born long distance runner Alyson Dixon were made honorary graduates while England tenpin bowler Becky Daly helped make it a day of girl-power as she graduated from Sports and Exercise Sciences.
Jill said: “I was so much more nervous than I thought I was going to be. I'm used to playing in team sports but standing up there on the stage in front of hundreds of people was quite daunting.
"It's been a real honour being here today and I wish all the graduates all the luck in the world.”
Aly admits she was nervous too: “It was all quite nerve-wracking - give me a start-line any day!
"I was so honoured to be standing up there, I only hope I was able to say something inspiring to all the graduates out there.”
Growing up in Sunderland Jill Scott was a keen long-distance runner, winning the under-13s cross-country title for Sunderland Harriers, and the Junior Great North Run – but she was also beginning to make her mark as a player for Boldon Girls.
Jill studied for a Foundation Degree in Sports and Exercise Development at Gateshead College, and went on to study at Loughborough University. She balanced her academic career with her growing reputation as a footballer.
She began her senior career with Sunderland Women, winning Women’s Player of the Month aged only 18. Jill then joined Everton Ladies, and despite her first match ending with a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal Ladies, she was named FA Tesco Player’s Player of the Year in 2008.
In 2013 Jill joined Manchester City, helping them secure the Continental Trophy in 2014. Her success in club football has been matched by her international career, in which has shown flair and leadership throughout her career playing for England.
Jill made her debut for England as a senior in 2006, having captained the under-19s side for the previous year and a half. She has gone on to be capped 126 times for her country, scoring 21 goals in international competition. Jill has played for England in three World Cups, and in the 2012 London Olympics, a competition that transformed public perception of the women’s game.
Aly Dixon’s Olympic dream was cultivated in Sunderland where she was born and bred. She attended Richard Avenue Primary School, Thornhill Comprehensive and City of Sunderland College. She then enrolled with Sunderland University to study Sport and Exercise Development.
Aly grew up among sport – her father ran marathons and she often cycled alongside him while he was out training and joined him in fun runs.
Scroll forward to 24 April 2016 and the London Marathon and Aly was finally living her dream of becoming an Olympian. She was the first British woman in that marathon and qualified for the Rio Olympics.
Since Rio, her achievements include being the first British woman again in the 2017 London Marathon with a Personal Best of 2 hours 29.06 minutes. She came 18th in the 2017 IAAF World Championships Marathon and most recently 6th in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Marathon.
Becky Daly graduated from her degree in Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University on Thursday.
The 21-year-old has recently returned from the Tenpin Bowling World Championships in Brussels.
Becky said she was extremely proud to be standing beside her fellow young sportswomen receiving her award. She added: “Balancing my England duties alongside my studies has been extremely difficult especially when deadlines arrive when I am away on duty – but I’ve received such amazing support from the University with my sporting scholarship, and from my tutors allowing me to have extra time on my deadline dates.
“I am hugely grateful for all the help the University of Sunderland has given me, which has allowed me to continue to pursue my passion for bowling.”
Becky has been a keen player since she was 10 years old, and gained the nickname the Accrington Ace in her hometown of Blackburn. As a junior she won gold, silver and bronze medals internationally. Now, as an adult player, she has won gold in the Triple Crown in Scotland and in Wales, and a further gold in the Commonwealth Games in South Africa in 2016. She has represented England in Vienna, Scotland,