Yahoo News Two Teesside University students selected for national football squads
Two students from Teesside University, Aidan Heywood and Jess Mett, have been selected to represent England Universities Sport in the upcoming football season.
This marks the fifth consecutive year that Aidan has received a national call-up. As part of the squad, both Aidan and Jess will participate in training sessions and fixtures, offering them the chance to compete at the highest domestic representative level.
Jess, a 19 year old from Middlesbrough who received the prestigious Beth Mead Scholarship to study at Teesside University, currently studies Crime Scene Science.
She said: "Being part of the squad will involve training camps where I will spend the day training with the other players, and playing alongside top players from other universities. I'll also be involved in playing matches against teams from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland."
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Jess was recently awarded the title of Female Athlete of the Year at the 2024 Teesside Sports Awards, which recognise the efforts and success of Teesside University students across multiple sporting disciplines. Her recognition highlighted the integral role she has played in the University's women's football team, which has weekly sessions in the university's sports therapy clinic and hydrotherapy pool.
Jess was also a treble award winner with Middlesbrough Women, collecting Players' Player, Player of the Season, and Goal of the Season at the recent Middlesbrough Football Club End of Season Awards.
Jess added: "One of the main reasons in choosing Teesside University was the Beth Mead Scholarship. This involves mentoring from Beth which is beneficial, in being able to ask her questions on her career and ask for any advice. It also provides a free gym membership, access to all sports facilities including sports massages and physiotherapy. This is very beneficial as it allows me to train and compete at the highest level I can.
"Winning the female athlete of the year at Teesside universities sports awards event was also an amazing achievement, as it acknowledged and praised my dedication and effort with the University football team."
Aidan, a 26-year-old MSci (Hons) Chiropractic student from Hebburn, has previously captained the England Universities squad. He said: "The selection process involved multiple trials, with universities putting forward players from their own universities. We received a phone call from the manager explaining his decision and what the future holds within the squad. As always, the feeling never gets old, and I was buzzing to be selected again."
Looking ahead to the season, Aidan added: "We have some training sessions planned, along with multiple friendlies before the big Home Nations tournament in July. The friendlies are always against professional football clubs, so the standard is very high, and I really enjoy the challenge. I've waited four years for the home nations to finally come about,".
Aidan, who also plays for Hebburn Town in the Northern Premier Division, believes his involvement in the national squad greatly enhances his football training with the team.
He said: "They go hand in hand. I strive to be the best player I can be in both departments. Hebburn are currently challenging for promotion, which allows me to focus on football, nutrition and gym work and strives me to be at my best. England is exactly the same. I am a believer in marginal gains and having such competitive fixtures with both clubs amplifies my professionalism at the moment."
Will Jones, Head of Sport, said: "This is a great achievement, demonstrating the high level that Aidan and Jess are both are performing at."
