KICKBOXER Andy Burton is used to taking to the ring with some tough opponents – but this week he stepped on stage knowing he was already a winner.

The World United Martial Arts Federation welterweight champion picked up a BSc sport and exercise development degree from the university.

Andy, 21, said: "My time at Sunderland has been a first-class experience. I've made some good friends, worked with great staff and studied a subject I'm passionate about.

"The support I have had from the sports science staff and the Elite Athlete Scheme have made a difference in training and competition, plus the support and advice with financial backing from the scheme and my sponsor ACT Construction has helped me hugely."

Now the South Hylton fighter is planning to continue his studies at Sunderland, with the eventual aim of becoming a sports teacher.

While he waits to see whether he has been accepted onto a teaching course, Andy is spending the summer teaching kickboxing to children at the Raich Carter Centre in Hendon, starting 4pm on Monday, July 21.

But despite his desire to teach, Andy hasn't given up his sporting ambitions just yet – in November he has one of the biggest fights of his career for the IKF (International Kickboxing Federation) British title.


TOP British swimmer Nick Gillingham MBE was delighted to be handed his Honorary Fellowship from Sunderland University.

The double Olympic medallist, World and Commonwealth Champion and triple European Champion came to Wearside for a special presentation ceremony.

Nick was presented with an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to sporting excellence and services to swimming, as well as his continuing contribution to, and support for, young and gifted athletes in the North-East.

He represented Great Britain for 13 years, achieving 17 championship medals, three World Records, 11 European, nine Commonwealth, and 17 British records for individual events. He received an MBE in 1993 for services to swimming. Nick, based in Warkworth, Northumberland, is now the senior competition manager for Team Tyne and Wear, working closely with national governing bodies of sport.

Team Tyne and Wear provides support for young and gifted athletes aged 14 to 16 years old and has already signed up 37 of the North East's future sports stars, who will receive support, guidance and encouragement from experts at the universities of Sunderland and Northumbria.

Nick is an experienced mentor, working with gifted and talented young people in education across all sports allowing for a good school, sport and life balance. He also works as a mentor through the Youth Sport Trust.

Professor Peter Fidler, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sunderland, said: "Everyone knows of Nick's achievements in the pool, which are fantastic.

"However, his commitment to ensuring that young people from all backgrounds and all abilities have the chance to improve their lives through sports is inspirational. We were very proud to pay our tribute to him today."


A DETERMINED student is celebrating yet another success as she picks up her latest accolade.

Although Joy Fenwick's cerebral palsy means she has to use a wheelchair, and struggles with involuntary movements, she battled through difficult times to complete a foundation degree in health and social care at City of Sunderland College's Shiney Row campus.

This week, she joined classmates in a graduation ceremony at the Stadium of Light. Joy, from Fence Houses, has been helped by friends, tutors Ann Inkson and Tom Oliphant, her learning mentor Faye Hardy, 38, from Ryhope, and has had vital encouragement from her mum Jessie Bates, sister Kay and future brother-in-law Ken Wardhaugh.

The 39-year-old now aims to turn her degree into an honours qualification at Sunderland University, towards her dream of becoming a social worker.

Joy wants to use her own good and bad experiences to work for the Percy Hedley Foundation, which supports and promotes the rights of people with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, to empower their abilities.
She also wants to reach her goal to prove wrong a number of people who dismissed her chances or achieving anything in life.

"I have had to climb numerous barriers and challenge a vast amount individuals negative attitudes towards me to get where I am today," she said.

"And I feel it is important for me to pass the knowledge of these experiences on to the youth of today, so they will realise that if their aims and goals are realistic to their ability they can be achieved by breaking down society's barriers and working jolly hard."