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Graduate Success History Graduate Is Shooting Hoops

History graduate Matthew Calverley gives his insight into balancing a promising sporting career with his degree studies.

Sporting prowess

Matthew, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has been playing wheelchair basketball since the age of ten. After spending the last eleven years mastering his game with London team Capital City he has had the honour of representing his country, playing for Britain’s under-23 team.

He said: “Hand on heart, the best feeling I’ve ever had is sitting there lined up and singing the national anthem, you just can’t explain it. You see people do it on TV but when you actually get that chance, it’s amazing.”

Matthew who was awarded the coveted prize of ‘Great Britain Juniors Players’ Player’ in 2010 feels basketball really opened his eyes to the things he could be capable of achieving: “The biggest thing for me was that I was with other people with disabilities who didn’t care and just got on with their lives. Before all I saw were the things that I couldn’t do rather than the things that I could do.”

He added: “Being with others that led normal lives was a big wake up call for me. I realised that there was nothing wrong with me.”

Olympic opportunity

Whilst missing out on London 2012 due to focusing his attentions on the final year of his History degree, Matthew aims to represent his country at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in 2016.

“I definitely aspire to be part of 2016. In the next four years I think I have to get back to being fully-fit to play a game of basketball, but you have to be extremely dedicated. Not only do you have to be physically fit but you have to eat the right foods and even count the hours that you sleep.”

He added: “Once you go to university you can eat whatever you want and go to bed whenever you like. It’s also a strain on your social life when you’re in the gym on a Friday night and everyone’s out doing something; training is a full-time job.”

Balancing basketball and his degree

Matthew had to carefully manage his time between playing for his club side, representing his country and studying. He feels the University helped him to find a good balance in order to ensure he reached his full potential in both his curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Matthew said: “After looking at several universities Hertfordshire was the friendliest and most accommodating to my physical needs. I really felt I was wanted at this University and after meeting the special needs advisor my mind was set on coming here.”

“Whilst studying at Herts I was still able to compete at International level in wheelchair basketball and play for my team weekly. The University was great in helping me maintain my training routine.”

University experience and advice

Matthew, who hopes to become a secondary school History teacher, found going to university daunting at first, but felt he received great support from the University and formed long-lasting friendships.

“My time at the University has been one of the most enjoyable and worthwhile chapters of my life. I even became the unofficial mascot for the University’s American Football team – staying up late into the night watching the Super Bowl.”

Matthew feels it is possible to maintain a high level in both academic work and your chosen sport. As a main piece of advice to future students who are hoping to combine the two, he said: “Organise and plan your time effectively.”

He concluded: “If you are able to split your time between your university and sporting commitments, you will be able to reach your full potential in both.”