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Faye Rogers awarded inaugural André Reibig Medal

Paralympic gold medallist Faye Rogers has capped a memorable year after becoming the first winner of a new award championing dual academic and sporting success. 

The André Reibig Medal, created in memory of André Reibig, stands as a testament to his invaluable contribution and unwavering support to Winning Students, the previous rendition of Scotland’s national sports scholarship programme now known as Winning Students 100.

André worked within the Scottish Funding Council, and served crucially and tirelessly as an early adopter, key adviser and passionate advocate behind the Winning Students programme.  Thanks to funding partners the Scottish Funding Council and sportscotland, and in partnership with Scotland’s Tertiary education sector, Winning Students 100 continues to support talented athletes studying in Scotland, including Rogers.

University of Aberdeen student Rogers has made a remarkable recovery from a life-changing accident three years ago to thrive as a para-swimmer, culminating in her golden success in Paris earlier this year. It is her twin achievements in her studies and her sport that has seen her recognised with the new award, for which the key criteria are progression in sport, resilience and adversity and high levels of performance.

On learning of her being named first winner of the André Reibig Medal, Rogers said: “It was such a nice surprise when I received news of this award, I was actually sat in a class when it came through, so I saw it almost immediately. It’s a lovely accolade to receive. When you are racing you know what the prize is depending on where you finish, however this award arrived completely unexpectedly and it’s particularly pleasing to be recognised not just for my sport but for how hard I work to balance my studies alongside that.

“I’m really honoured to be the first recipient and very grateful to André’s family and to André for his support behind the Winning Students programme. To be the first to win it is special and I’m sure some amazing athletes will win this in the future so that will only add to how special the award is in the years to come. It’s just such an honour.”

Faye had competed in the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Selection trials when she was involved in a car accident which injured her right arm and changed her life at the age of just 19, only for her to show incredible determination that has taken her to the very top of her sport. 

Faye continued: “The last three years have been really crazy for me. I had a life-changing accident on the day I was supposed to start university so my whole university career has been taking place while adapting to life with a disability as well as try to compete in elite level sport, which was new to me as well. It’s been a whirlwind but I couldn’t be happier with where I am now.

“For as long as the Paralympics were on the horizon I had tunnel vision as that was the one goal however now that is behind me I can reflect on the whole journey and I still can’t quite believe I’m managed to pull it off to be honest. I’m really proud of the journey I’ve been on, obviously the gold means the world but I take as much pride if not more in my whole journey and overcoming all the challenges I did along the way.”

On the emotions of touching the wall in Paris and realising she had won gold, Rogers said: “Honestly? Relief! There’s so much in the build-up, so many nerves, that once you’ve touched the wall it’s just instantly that overwhelming sense of relief that now you’ve done it, you can’t do any more. It’s only when you get out the pool, do your media stuff, that’s when it hit me – “wow, this is amazing” – I was so happy, proud, so many emotions at that stage. I’m not really a crying person but it was hard not to cry on the podium with so many emotions and trying to take it all in.

“Paris overall couldn’t have been a better experience, the team environment was so great, it was just a lovely thing to be part of. I’d love to be able to do it again – it was the best few weeks of my life.”

If her accident is forever described as life-changing, so too can this summer be described in that way as she struck gold, returning to the University of Aberdeen campus in September to continue her biochemistry studies. When in Aberdeen, she is never far from her fellow Winning Students 100 student athlete Toni Shaw, lavishing praise on a friend she insists was a driving force behind her own success.

The two were training partners in the run-up to Paris and Faye says: “Toni has no idea about this but when I first had my accident, seeing Toni doing so well really helped me on my journey in para-swimming. Having someone there who was involved in the same sport was so helpful, I remember watching Toni race and it inspired me to get into para-swimming. As I was just starting to get into para-swimming Toni won gold at the World Championships and that also inspired me, one of the big reasons that motivated me."

Thanks to funding partners sportscotland and the Scottish Funding Council, and in partnership with Scotland’s Tertiary education sector, some 111 individuals – including Faye Rogers and Toni Shaw – will be supported by Winning Students 100 this academic year. Helping student athletes balance their studies with high performance training and competition, Winning Students 100 provides athletes with grants of up to £3000 and works with colleges and universities to offer additional support such as academic flexibility.

Faye, who next has swimming’s World Championships in her sights not to mention a medicine degree, explained: “Having the support to ask for help while navigating university commitments with sport is invaluable. For me the flexibility is the big thing, being able to ask for support and having the confidence to do so, the confidence to be honest if you are struggling and then work together to put a plan in place that helps you be the best you can be with your studies and your sport.

“It’s also helpful to know that you are not the only one going through what you are going through, and that it’s doable. Even something as small as being able to move a deadline, so that 100% focus can be applied on a university exam when that is needed then a competition in the pool when preparing for that, can make all the difference.

Everyone involved in and connected to the Winning Students 100 programme offers their heartfelt congratulations to Faye, with many tributes to her achievement being made today, led by Jim Aitken MBE, former Director of Sport and Exercise at the University of Edinburgh and Interim Chair of the Winning Students 100 Advisory Board.

Jim said: “On behalf of the Board and everyone associated with Winning Students 100, we are thrilled that trail-blazing Paralympic champion Faye Rogers has become the first recipient of the prestigious André Reibig Medal.

Martin Boyle, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: “André was special both as a person and as a colleague, and he took great pride in all the projects in which he was involved. This was especially true for Winning Students where his passion for education and for sport came together in something he cared about very much.

“Awarding a Winning Student 100 medal in André’s memory means a lot to everyone who knew him and is a wonderful way to honour and remember him. Faye Rogers is a very deserving recipient of the inaugural medal and I would like to wish her every success in her sporting and academic future.”