UCFB offers a number of unique scholarship opportunities to students of all abilities across a number of disciplines, with scholarships available based on academic and sporting achievements, as well as social mobility among other categories.
MoZiah Selassie, a BA (Hons) International Football Business student at UCFB Etihad Campus was awarded the Elite Athlete Scholarship for his playing career so far where he has represented his native Bermuda in football and tennis. Here, he tells us about how the award has helped him, and shares his highlights from his time at UCFB so far.
How has the scholarship programme helped you so far in your degree programme?
The scholarship programme has helped me in many ways. It has allowed me to connect with other elite athletes from a wide range of sports such as football and ultimate frisbee, and has supported me when balancing my studies and sport by assisting with financial requirements.
What made you decide to want to come to UCFB and apply for the scholarship?
UCFB was my number one choice after leaving college, as the idea of studying a sports degree in Manchester was the perfect situation for me. The scholarship has allowed me to play with and compete against other skilled athletes, such as the players in the UCFB Football Academy.
How has your time at UCFB been so far?
I have enjoyed my time at UCFB so far, the opportunities for students are endless if you stay focused and persistent.
How have you found balancing your studies and representing Bermuda?
As a scholar athlete you have a very busy schedule relating to training, education and time spent socialising. Over these past three years, an important thing that I have learnt involves prioritising your time to ensure the most important tasks or activities get completed.
How difficult has it been as an athlete to have such a stop-start last 12 months or so in competing?
As an athlete, it has been very hard with the stop and start periods to the football season and sports calendar. Currently, where I don’t have anyone to train with in my bubble, this has resulted in many home workouts which require a lot of motivation. The UCFB Academy has provided a fitness plan to ensure that we stay as fit as possible during this time which has helped massively. Sports such as tennis are hard to train for due to the closing of leisure centres and tennis courts but at the moment, staying fit for when the lockdown is lifted is the main objective.
Describe how it’s been to represent your country at international level in football?
It has been a dream to represent my county at an international level in football. Coming on for my debut for the Bermuda under-17 national team versus Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF Championships felt surreal, as if I was in a video game! Realising that I was playing in Trinidad, representing my country with friends and family watching the live stream back home in Bermuda and England was an honour and an unforgettable experience.
What's the highlight of your sporting career so far?
There isn’t one individual highlight of my sporting career but as a whole – where the sport has taken me and the opportunities that have come out of it. From performing in the FA Youth Cup with my old club Alfreton Town FC, to travelling throughout the Caribbean and Central American countries representing my county on the international stage.
Do you have any advice for students looking to come to UCFB, in particular those thinking of applying for a scholarship?
The advice that I have is to make the most of the opportunity. Your time at UCFB will go by very fast, so enjoy it as much as possible while also putting yourself in the best situation for when you graduate. This relates to sport and your studies.
