Meet UAL's Elite Athletes

Could you be our next Elite Athlete?

Though UAL is known for its students' artistic prowess, we are also home to a select few elite athletes who manage to straddle the worlds of art and sport. Do you currently compete nationally or internationally in your chosen sporting discipline? If so, the Arts SU Elite Athlete programme could help you to balance your academic and sporting career by offering a bursary that covers costs such as membership fees and accommodation as well as support for your development.

In return, you’ll be expected to represent UAL at competitions, and help us to nurture our student-led sports club, by mentoring or other activities. If this sounds like you, contact the team at sports@su.arts.ac.uk and they will be in touch shortly.

There are currently 7 athletes on the Elite Athlete programme. Meet the most prolific, Fine Art student Lizzy Fuller, who is in her final year of BA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts and competes in rowing. Now based back in Newcastle, Lizzy spends most of her time rowing up and down the Tyne. In May 2019 she raced at BUCS regatta and took home Gold in the intermediate lightweight single. Lizzy hopes to race again this year at BUCS regatta, with the new postponed dates at the end of June.

Ellie Salmon first got involved in Taekwon-Do at the age of 7 as a way to keep fit as has not looked back since. She is a black belt and first competed in 2018 in the ITF European Championship, winning two bronze medals, followed by winning a silver and bronze when she represented England at the 2019 ITFU Championships in Sardinia.  Ellie studies Hair Makeup and Prosthetics at London College of Fashion.

When shes not studying for her final year at Camberwell College of Arts, Amy Lott competes in Olympic Air Rifle, representing Great Britain internationally, and trains with the British Shooting National Academy Programme.  She took home gold at the 2020 British Open, and aspires to participate in the Commonwealth and Olympic games.

Third year journalism student Jussi Grut is a lacrosse player and represented Wales at the 2018 World Cup in Israel. Jussi is looking to be selected for the European Championships in Poland, which were postponed in 2020, due to the pandemic.

Madeleine Boyd competes for Great Britain in Olympic Skeet Shooting and attended the World Championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Junior World Cup in 2018 and 2019 and the British Grand Final in 2018, 2019 and 2020, all while studying Graphic and Media Design at London College of Communication.

Marta Lada is in her 2nd year in Fashion Management at London College of Fashion. From a family of athletes, Marta first got involved in running at primary school which led to her love for athletics where she competed in both the 300m and 400m but soon after turned to triple jump. Marta has been a member of the Poland National Team for the past two years and recently placed 3rd in the National Polish Championship.

Lucy Hogg-Tempany first started synchronised swimming 11 years ago and has excelled ever since. In 2019, she won bronze in the National Combo Cup and a year later, won gold in both the team and duet at the National Masters Championship. Lucy is now aiming to compete in the British Championships and attend GB trials. As well as competing and judging in competitions, Lucy also coaches under 18’s three times a week. She is in her second year on Fashion Buying and Merchandising at London College of Fashion.

Get active!

Find out more about sport at UAL on the Student Union's sports and societies page. Sports clubs offer opportunities to get involved in competitive and non-competitive sports. Whether it’s competing against other universities in BUCS, or just turning up to have fun, the Arts SU clubs are a great way to participate in sports and meet new friends.