Orkney netballer Zara Flett combines national sporting success with her studies

Described as a “shooting sensation” by her peers, Orkney netballer Zara Flett has received national recognition for her dedication to the sport whilst continuing her studies. 

Zara, who is studying for a BA Honours in Business Management through UHI Orkney, has secured a Winning Students 100 Scholarship for Netball, which is designed to help support her in developing in the sport. 

Winning Students 100 is a world-leading dual-career programme that supports 100 of the most talented student athletes studying at Higher and Further Education institutions in Scotland. 

Since the original Winning Students scholarships launched in 2008, the programme has supported over 1500 student athletes, including world and Olympic champions.  

Zara also receives support through the OIC, sportscotland and Stagecoach supported Athlete Travel Award Scheme to help with travel costs. Whilst a sportscotland Institute of Sport athlete, with her base being in Orkney, she is often coached in the gym by Orkney’s Performance Development Programme (PDP) Physical Preparation Coach. 

She has also received the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) 2024 Sporting Blues Half Blue, awarded to athletes for playing well above the average standard for a university team or who represent the university as an individual in national level competition. 

Zara played for the Netball Super League team, Strathclyde Sirens last season and is currently in the Scotland A squad. She said: “I got an email through Netball Scotland with a sponsorship application to the Winning Students 100 programme. When I received the award, it was a bit of a shock as not many people get awarded it. 

“It has meant I could travel back and fore to Orkney more regularly last season whilst playing for Strathclyde Sirens and helped with accommodation costs whilst staying in Glasgow.” 

Zara has represented Orkney in U13, U15, U17 and senior age groups, Scotland in the U17 team for two years, the U21 Scotland team for two years and most recently the Strathclyde Sirens which was the only Scottish senior team in the UK semi elite Netball Superleague. 

Announcing the 2024 Sporting Blues winners, Dr Iain Morrison, Dean of Student Experience said: “UHI is immensely proud to award Sporting Blues to our exceptional students, recognising their dedication, hard work, and outstanding achievements. 

“These accolades in partnership with our hard-working students’ association celebrate the spirit, talent, and perseverance that our students bring to their sports and academic pursuits. We congratulate all recipients and look forward to their continued success and contribution to our university’s legacy of excellence.” 

UHI Orkney Principal, Professor Seonaidh McDonald, said: “Zara is clearly a student and athlete who is fearless when it comes to challenging herself. Living in Orkney has not been a barrier to her further education or her sporting career with her national training and performances requiring either a lengthy journey by plane or boat. 

“On behalf of UHI Orkney we commend Zara’s hard work, motivation, fearlessness and creativity.”