Olivia Orchard is among the promising sporting students awarded Bursaries by Bangor University this year. The Maes Glas Bursary will provide Olivia free use the sports facilities and access to coaching advice at the University's Maes Glas Sport Centre. Olivia, from Chepstow, Gwent, a former pupil of Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls, fences at national and international level, representing Wales (having been in the Cadet, Junior and Senior teams) and is ranked 28th in the UK. Fencing was an after-school activity offered at Olivia's school. Olivia, now 18, joined her younger brother to take up the sport as it looked both interesting and different. She has been involved in fencing for five years. Olivia has done much to raise the profile of the University's Fencing Club during the last year- the Club won 'Club of the Year' at the Athletic Union Awards evening. As a fencer, Olivia needs to practice her footwork, blade work and fight practice and tactical mentality training. Free access to Maes Glas will assist with maintaining Olivia's overall fitness levels. Olivia is in the first year of a Marine Vertebrate Zoology degree and chose to study at Bangor due to the University's stunning location and precedence for ocean and marine science. "We're delighted to be able to support students who are achieving at a national and international level," said Mike Goodwin, The University's Estates and Facilities Director. Olivia Orchard receives Maes Glas Bursary from Mike Goodwin, Bangor University's Director of Estates and Facilities.