Rising Rhinos stars head for university after exam success

THEY MIGHT be teammates but after this summer young rugby league stars Ashton Golding and George Milton will be in rival camps.
Ashton Golding and George MiltonAshton Golding and George Milton
Ashton Golding and George Milton

Both Leeds Rhinos under 19 players were celebrating yesterday after achieving the grades they needed to secure places at university.

However they could now find themselves on the opposite side of varsity battles as they are heading to rival institutions in the city.

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Golding is going to Leeds Beckett University to study exercise sports science while Milton is going to Leeds University to study physiology.

Both told of their delight at securing the grades they needed after combining the demands of their sporting career and their studies. Milton said: “I was resitting and I needed a lot better grades than last year so it was a relief to have got in at Leeds.” The Guiseley School student picked up three Bs.

Golding, who has played several times for the Leeds Rhino’s first team, achieved two Ds and a distinction at Priesthorpe School to secure his university place. The pacy 18-year-old full-back said: “Going away with the first team in January took its toll on my studies. And I had to take some time off school with academy tours. It has been really hard to get the time in to work and the coursework done. I managed to some decent grades in my exams which has brought my grades back up and I have just got into universiity so I am happy I am over the moon.”

The pair are now looking forward to facing each other in university matches.

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Milton said: “ I am planning to play a couple of rugby games at Leeds. I don’t know whether Ashton will be playing for Beckett but it would be good to see it.”

Across the county there were success stories for pupils who combined sport and study

Olivia Noble had three scholarship university offers in America. The Sheffield Girls High pupil is attending California State University, Fresno. Having achieved both academic and athletic achievements in her final year of Sheffield High, She has played in school athletics, badminton, hockey, netball, rounders and tennis achieving city, county and regional titles all the way to national success.

Olivia played a large part in taking badminton, netball, tennis and rounders teams to national finals across five of her seven years at the school.