A BRADFORD student is set to make a big move across the pond after securing a scholarship at a college in the US.

William Bentley, from Cleckheaton, is a Year 13 student at Bradford Grammar School's sixth form and has received two scholarships to study at Lindenwood University in St Charles in Missouri.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Grammar School student awarded two scholarships at Lindenwood University. Image: Bradford Grammar School Bradford Grammar School student awarded two scholarships at Lindenwood University. Image: Bradford Grammar School (Image: Bradford Grammar School)

Will, who is the captain of Bradford Grammar’s rugby team has been offered both an academic scholarship and a scholarship to play rugby for the university.

He said: “It’s amazing, to be honest.

“It all started last summer.

“When we started the process, I didn’t know if I would be good enough but then it came around to universities reaching out and I got in.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to go to the US, rugby created the opportunity.”

Will was accepted by the university based on his fantastic GCSE results and is currently studying PE, Psychology, and History at A-Level with predicted grades of A*AA.

He hopes to major in Psychology and minor in Criminology whilst at university.

“My parents are tremendously proud and helped me throughout the process," said Will.

“My mum doesn’t want me living a million miles away but that’s just mums, but she’s extremely happy for me.

“She says she doesn’t want me to leave but at the same time she’s done a really good job as a parent that I feel comfortable enough to move away and start my life in another country.”

He visited the university earlier this month and had a look around the campus.

“It’s amazing, it’s a whole world out there," he said.

Rugby is becoming more and more prominent in the USA and Will feels he’s going at the right time.

He said: “When we were first looking it at, I didn’t think it was that big there, but in the southern states, it’s already quite big.

“They have Americanised it a little like they’ve introduced draft to rugby, but it’s just getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

“Their team has been really successful in the past year.”

Will plays for Old Brodleians in Hipperholme and has played there since his passion for rugby began.

He joined Bradford Grammar School in year eight and felt he owed a lot to the school, especially for his GCSE grades and the support he received.

“The fact that I have an academic scholarship, as well as a rugby scholarship, is down to the school, they kept us up to standard," he said.

“On the rugby side, the coaching team has been great, it’s amazing, they are constantly on you and create an environment to get better.”

Dan Scarbrough, Specialist Sports Coach at Bradford Grammar said: "Will is a talented athlete, a highly skilled rugby player, and is a fine example to the younger years of what can be achieved here at Bradford Grammar School.

"The opportunity for him to develop further in an incredible environment overseas, in one of the top sporting universities in America, is an exciting one and we will be watching and supporting from across the pond here in Yorkshire."

Will leaves for the US in August and couldn't be more excited to start his new adventure.

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