A love of sport has opened doors for triple distinction star student, Millie.

The 18-year-old from Ingleby Barwick has scored her goal of a place to study sports and exercise therapy and rehabilitation at Leeds Beckett University.

Picking up a triple distinction star, the highest possible grade, in the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science from Bede Sixth Form College, Millie has a proven talent for juggling the demands of her studies around her sport.

After years spent on the netball court, she said: “I like the idea of bringing someone back from injury and helping get them to where they were in their game, if not even better.”

Taking up netball when she was nine, Millie quickly progressed to playing at county and regional level. She is a longstanding member of Grangetown Netball Club and for the past two years has played for the Under 19s Leeds Rhinos North East squad.

“Sport and the human-based sciences were the main subjects I was good at in school,” she said.

That, along with her talent on the netball court, has carved a clear path for her future career.

Choosing to study at Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham, for the support they offer talented young athletes through their Institute of Sport and Education (ISE), she said: “Netball is part of my routine, it has given me additional skills like teamwork and leadership. The support and training I got at Bede has definitely helped.”

Now heading off to Leeds Beckett, with its strong netball culture, Millie is looking forward to what comes next.

She said: “Leeds Beckett is one of just a few universities to offer that course, so it felt good to get my offer. I can’t wait to get started.”