Two students from a partnership between University of Gloucestershire and the University Degree Abroad (UDA) programme have been selected for the latest English Universities Sport men’s football squad.
Striker Jax Hundt and defender Mikkiel Graham, both in the final year of a Sport Business Management degree, were chosen from the thousands of students representing their universities across the UK following a highly competitive selection process.
Jax and Mikkiel both played for the University’s men’s football first team that won an unprecedented treble in 25/26 (league, cup and Varsity) and are members of the University Degree Abroad (UDA) programme, an international football academy based at the University’s Oxstalls Campus. They are the first University players to be selected since 2001, and the first players ever from the UDA programme.
The University’s partnership with UDA enables international students to develop as footballers while studying a degree of their choice, with academy and degree programmes integrated and aligned to support sporting and academic achievement.
Their path to national selection began when they were nominated for English Universities South regional squad trials by the University’s men’s first team coach, Ivor Gumm.
After impressing in trials at Bath and Chichester, Jax and Mikkiel were selected for the English Universities South representative team and performed strongly in a match against Jersey Bulls FC.
They impressed again in a match between English Universities South and English Universities North at St George’s Park – the official National Football Centre for the English Football Association – to clinch their selection to the full national squad.
Mikkiel said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been selected for the final squad to represent English Universities. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way, especially my parents. I am happy to achieve this alongside Jax since because I’ve how hard he works – he deserves it.
“My involvement with the UDA has been a huge part of my development, both on and off the pitch. I’m grateful to the entire UDA staff and my teammates for driving the standards that push me to improve every single day.
“I’m proud to represent the programme, and I hope this selection reflects the collective work and commitment we all put in.”
Jax said: “Some of my best memories over the past three years have come from representing University of Gloucestershire in the BUCS league, from my first year building lifelong friendships with teammates who have now graduated from UDA to my second year sharing a record-breaking season with a talented group of first years.
“Representing the English Universities national team is the greatest honour of my football career so far. From first hearing about the selection process to progressing through each stage – nomination, trials, squad selection, and ultimately national team selection – every step felt like an achievement in itself.
“Gloucestershire has become home and my teams have become family. I’ll give everything I have to make them proud.”
Ivor Gumm, the University’s men’s first team coach, said: “The introduction of UDA students into our men’s first team has been a huge success, with up to eight players representing the team at some point across what has been an incredible season.
“We’re immensely proud of Jax and Mikkiel for being selected for the English Universities squad – it’s a wonderful achievement.”
Jax and Mikkiel are among 55 players from North America enrolled at the University through the UDA academy.
Steve Lilley, Programme Director at UDA/University of Gloucestershire, said: “Jax and Mikkiel have conducted themselves professionally both on and off the pitch throughout the season, and are fantastic role models for students coming through the system.
“They are both talented individuals who have shown what can be achieved through dedication, commitment and a clear focus on reaching personal sporting goals alongside their academic studies.”
Matt Tansley, Head of Sport and Active Life at the University, said: “Huge congratulations to Jax and Mikkiel on their selection for the English Universities football squad. Their progress highlights the opportunities available to UDA players to compete at a high level in university football while gaining recognition on a wider national stage.
“Jax and Mikkiel are brilliant ambassadors for the University and the UDA programme. We are excited to follow their progress and wish them every success.”
