SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS
One of the foremost private members’ clubs in the world, the Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897. We have two clubhouses, in London and at Woodcote Park near Epsom, both with extensive sports facilities.
Throughout our history, sport has played a major role at the Club. Our Pall Mall clubhouse was the original home for the Squash Rackets Association after it was formed in 1928 and the Club was instrumental in creating the modern game. At Woodcote Park, the famous golf course architect Herbert Fowler designed the course which opened in 1915. Today, Woodcote Park’s sports facilities include six floodlit tennis courts, a state of the art gymnasium, four squash courts, a 30m swimming pool and a fitness studio. Golfers can enjoy two eighteen-hole courses and use of a sophisticated golf simulator to help analyse and improve their game.
This page provides information on applying for the Club’s sporting scholarships and grants.
SPORTING TALENT PROGRAMME
The Club is committed to encouraging young people to take part in sport and nurturing and developing sporting potential and, in 2017, we launched a new programme developed in consultation with the Leisure Developments Team at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. It includes coaching and other support for the Borough’s team in the Surrey Youth Games, sponsorship of the Epsom and Ewell Sports Awards and the Rob Sears Scholarships.
ROB SEARS SCHOLARSHIPS
Named after a longstanding member of the sports staff at Woodcote Park, the purpose of the Rob Sears Scholarships is to support talented young sportspeople with sustained mentoring and coaching. Three scholarships will be available for 2019.
Which sports?
The scholarships are available in squash, tennis or golf. The three scholarships available may be awarded one in each sport or in any other combination: they will go to the best three candidates overall.
What is on offer?
The Royal Automobile Club will provide 20 hours of free coaching, at its Woodcote Park facilities, conducted by the Club’s sports professionals. Scholars are also able to apply for grants to contribute towards the costs of competing at a high level, including for purchasing specialist equipment, travel and accommodation necessary to take part in a competition and competition entry fees.
Who is eligible?
Applicants must:
• be competing at county level or above, or have the clear potential to
• be born between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2008 (so aged 11 to 17)
• live, go to school or college, or be a member of a sports club (for the sport they are seeking a scholarship in) which is located within five miles of Woodcote Park (KT18 7EW) or within the borough of Epsom and Ewell.
The application also requires a statement confirming that the scholarship would provide the applicant with coaching they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford or access.
When to apply
Applications have now closed for 2019.
How to apply
Email or post this application form to communications@royalautomobileclub.co.uk or Communications Team, Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey KT18 7EW.