A talented rugby league player from Warrington is making a name for himself in the USA, after securing a prestigious scholarship, at not one but THREE American Universities.
Former Warrington Collegiate student Matt Barker from Lymm, studied the Rugby League BTEC Extended Diploma Level 3 – run in partnership with Warrington Wolves, at the College and left the UK at the end of July, after completing his studies at the Winwick Road campus.
Matt, aged 19, had originally planned to study Health Science and Marketing for Springhill College in Alabama, after securing a full scholarship with them; but decided to instead study at yet another American University, Iowa Central Community College where he also been offered a scholarship. He was also offered a scholarship at St Mary’s College of California.
The former Lymm High School pupil, who is studying Athletic Training (Physiotherapy), said: “So far I am really enjoying it. The class work is really challenging but it makes it worthwhile when I get to play rugby every day.”
Matt, who started playing rugby at the age of 11, is currently captaining the rugby team, which has so far beaten every team in the state. He has made such an impression that he was named Man of the Match during his first game.
In a post on their Facebook page Iowa Central Community College Triton Rugby team said: “Matt has an enormous wealth of knowledge for the game; an accurate and booming foot and strong leadership qualities. Matt is like a coach on the field.”
Matt said: “The rugby league course at Warrington Collegiate was the next step for me in learning about the sport. I had never played rugby league before I came to Warrington Collegiate so it helped me to progress with different parts of my game.”
Matt is double majoring in Business and Athletic Training, meaning he will come away from University with two Bachelor degrees.
He added: “The modules I studied at Warrington Collegiate gave me transferable skills and knowledge that I am able to put into the work I am doing now here in Iowa.”
Matt Barker in action
