Jamie Roberts – Welsh Rugby Union player and Cardiff University Medicine graduate ├▒ gave a speech at the university last Wednesday about combining professional sport with education.
The newly qualified doctor returned to the University under unfortunate circumstances; injury preventing him from taking part in the ongoing Autumn Internationals.
In his presentation Roberts detailed how he managed to achieve his medical qualification whilst excelling in his professional rugby career. The main themes throughout were organisation and hard work.
The early stages of the presentation highlighted the importance of a good diet for professional sports players. This showed the holistic approach he took to his sporting career from an early age.
Roberts was just breaking into the Cardiff Blues first team when he started at Cardiff University. He studied full-time for his first two years at Cardiff, during which time he said scheduling and time management were vital. As his rugby career progressed, sport took precedent over education, and he went on to win three 6 Nations trophies with the Wales international team whilst remaining a student at the university.
Roberts also talked about his role in the Six Nations 2012, when Wales managed to obtain the much sought-after Grand Slam. Roberts played all five games, inside-centre, and every minute of the Wales caqmpaign. He spoke briefly of his pride in aiding their campaign and of his try that helped their 24-3 defeat over Italy.
In 2011, after graduating with a first class honours degree in BSc Sport and Exercise Science at UWIC, his medical career was in doubt. However, after writing to the University, Roberts was granted permission to study at Cardiff Universityís medicine school part-time.
Roberts stressed that foresight and planning were the main reasons he was able to deal with his heavy workload around exam time. He claimed that this is how he was able to be an integral part of 2013ís Six Nations winning Wales side whilst studying for his final exams which took place in the summer of that same year.
Answering questions from the audience, Roberts said that he was unsure whether or not aspirational rugby players today would be offered the same opportunity to balance a professional career with the pursuit of  higher education.
Currently, Roberts is suffering from an ankle injury that will see him miss all of Walesí Autumn internationals. He says that he is eyeing next yearís Six Nations to be his return to international rugby.
Ashley Bebbington
News Editor
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