‘Kristian Gover Memorial Award’ - Snowsports Bursary
Former Cardiff University student, Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover, is continually commemorated as a result of the establishment of a Sport & Exercise Snowsports Bursary in 2006.
The ‘Kristian Gover Memorial Award’ is awarded on an annual basis to the most deserving snowsport athlete currently studying at Cardiff University.
Kristian studied Modern History and Politics at Cardiff University and graduated from the School of European Studies in 1996. He then joined the RAF, having been a member of the University Air Squadron, and served as a Puma helicopter pilot with 33 Squadron based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. He was tragically killed in a helicopter accident at Basra International airport in Iraq on the morning of 19th July 2004.
A full and active life
Kristian led a full and active life during his time at Cardiff University. A member of the University skiing team and later, the RAF ski team, Kristian became a specialist in downhill skiing, in particular Giant Slalom and Super G, and was also a very good off-piste skier. He regularly went snowboarding and mono-skiing, as well as developing a strong interest in telemark. Alongside this, Kristian was also a keen runner, squash player and rugby player.
The ‘Kristian Gover Memorial Award’
Kristian’s family have chosen to remember him through establishing a Sport & Exercise Sports Bursary, given his love of Cardiff University and in particular his passion for skiing. In this way, the ‘Kristian Gover Memorial Award’ will support future Cardiff University students with a similar talent for and love of skiing.
Recipients of the Award
Recipients of the award receive a financial reward and are also entitled to a comprehensive support programme. This falls in line with the main Sport High Performance Programme, please click here for further details.
Jemima Barnes, a psychology student, was the first recipient of the award in the academic year of 2006-07, as a Great Britain Junior Skier and the reigning British University Sports Association Champion.
In 2007-08 two students were joint recipients of the award. First was Jessica Thom, a final year psychology student, who specialises in freestyle skiing. Jess was the the British Universities Big Air and Halfpipe freestyle champion and upon graduating she travelled to New Zealand for the summer in the hope of becoming Britain’s number one female freestyle skier in the near future.
Geology student Rowan Vernon also received the award in 07-08 as well as her remaining undergraduate years (08-09- and 09-10). Rowan has finished 2nd in the British Universities Dryslope Championships and is a member of the England Dry Slope squad. Recently Rowan won the Celtic Cup Series Senior age group and as a result has moved up in the rankings into the British top ten. During this period she has been an excellent ambassador for Cardiff University and made a big impact within the Snowsports club both as a competitor and a coach.
Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year are now being accepted and should be sent to the Sports Development Co-ordinator. Please visit the main Sport High Performance Programme page by clicking here to download an application form. The final deadline is Monday 3rd October 2010.
For further information please contact the Sports Development Co-ordinator: