University Student selected as FIFA official for the Beijing Olympics 2008

Una Hong, a PhD student at Loughborough University has been given one of the most important honours in football as an official. Una has been selected to be a referee for women's football in Beijing this summer.

HE Student goes to Wembley

Leon McSweeney who was at Loughborough from 2003-2006 and was in last seasons EU squad will be playing for Stockport County against Rochdale in the League Two play off final at Wembley Stadium.

England Universities student signs professional forms with Bradford city

Congratulations to Leeds Met student Jonathon McLaughlin who has just completed a move to Bradford City. Jon was an integral part of the England team that won the British University Championship this year in Scotland.

UWE Hartpury win the double

Goals from Steve Davies and England captain Marc Richards saw Hartpury to their second BUSA Championship win at Loftus Road beating the University of Bath 2-1. The game was very evenly contested but Hartpury had the edge in the second half and managed to take the trophy home to the South West.

London based student turns professional

Mark Nwokeji who is a Law student at the University of London, was one of the heroes in Staines Town recent FA Cup run and was top scorer in the Ryman Premier Division.

Mark has just put his studies on hold and has now signed a 2 year deal with League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.

Staff moving institutions - Graham Potter

Current England Universities Assistant Coach Graham Potter has left his position as Sport Development Officer at Hull University and taken up a new coaching role at Leeds Met University working with John Hall and Chris Welburn.

We wish Graham all the best in his new post and glad that he has remained in the system

News staff additions to HE football - Alan Thomson and Matt Greig

New to the system we have to very valuable members of staff at Edge Hill University. Alan Thomson will hopefully help the programme in many ways but we will use his expertise in goalkeeping coaching for the regional and national squads. Joining Alan at Edge Hill is Matt Greig who has many things to offer the programme. Matt is a Loughborough graduate who has completed a PhD and has worked as Exercise Scientist with many of the England age group squads, last year went to World University Games as Exercise Scientist and is a Goalkeeping coach. I would like to welcome them and Edge Hill both on board and we look forward to working with you.

Thank you

Steve Sharman and James Ellis would like to thank all of you who have made this year possible. Hopefully the players have got a huge amount out of it and that it is played a role in your development as a member of staff. Next year is a real challenge as we have to surpass this years developments - With fixtures against Ipswich Town, Partick Thistle, Colchester United and the RAF already looking confirmed we have a great programme to look forward to.

Staff departing the programme - Jason Atkins

Jason Atkins who runs the football programme at Bournemouth University will be departing us this summer. He will however stay in HE and stay in football where he will be working at Stirling University. I would on behalf of the group that Jason for his efforts and support over the last 18 months and wish him well in his new role. Bournemouth University have been a credit to HE football and we hope that Barry Squires can take on where Jason has left off.