University of Portsmouth and PFC name scholarship winners - supporting local young people with their careers

Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) and the University of Portsmouth have unveiled the sixth edition of their joint scholarship programme. 

PFC have confirmed Willow and Sean as this year's scholarship recipients, with the pair selected from the University of Portsmouth's student body. 

The Portsmouth FC Scholarship supports local young people from Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight who are the first in their family to attend university and from low-income households, providing a clear pathway into higher education and the football industry through meaningful ‘real world’ experience and financial support. 

Each student has been awarded £3,000 which can go towards course fees, rent, utilities or equipment needed for their course. 

Across the programme, Willow and Sean will gain experience in areas including marketing, media, operations and commercial delivery, supporting live projects and matchday activity at Fratton Park. 

Willow, a current BA Illustration student in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries who has joined the programme with a strong interest in creative design and visual storytelling, said: “I’m excited to work with the football club, being someone that has lived in Portsmouth their entire life. Now, working behind the scenes is a really cool opportunity. 

“I am really hoping it will enable me to have less financial pressure, and I will actually be able to purchase the equipment for my course.” 

Sean, who currently studies BA Economics and Management in the Faculty of Business and Law and will focus on the IT side of the business, said: “The scholarship for me means everything - it will open so many doors for me. 

“The most exciting part is obviously working with the club, being able to build my own personal knowledge base, decide what my areas of interest are, and then also possibly building out a dissertation project.” 

Willow and Sean will join over 200 students who work at the club on match day. 

Professor Graham Galbraith, University of Portsmouth Vice-Chancellor, said: “It is an absolutely fantastic partnership with two great institutions in the city.  

“We really believe in this city and believe in the people of the city, and I think by associating with the club, helps to let people know that University is accessible. 

“I'd like to thank the football club for sharing our vision and supporting this scholarship, giving young people an exceptional opportunity to reach their potential. Pompey truly is a very special club.” 

The University's collaboration with Portsmouth Football Club provides students and researchers with access to a professional football environment, enabling real-world testing of sports science innovations and business strategies.