A student-athlete, Kiara Henry, talks about her success at Derby University in both her law degree and exceptional performance as a badminton scholar.
Visiting Derby University
I can still recall visiting the law department when choosing which university to study at and being met with encouragement and positivity by Joel Klaff, the head of law advising me that I would be the first ever sports scholar the university had accepted to undertake a Law degree. He advised me, that typically most scholarship athletes preferred to take a sports related subject but not to let that deter me from the challenge. For those that know me you will know I am not a person to be defeated or shy away from any challenge. Not even the 50K uphill walk for the Alzheimer Society in January of this year.
University Life as an Academic and Sports Scholar
I commenced my degree at the University of Derby in 2020, starting my Law LLB degree and my journey as a sports scholar in my sport of badminton. I swiftly realised that to be successful, I was going to have to be incredibly organised and dedicated in order to fit in all my lectures, studies, badminton training, strength and conditioning session, competitions, BUCS matches and my part time job as a team leader.
I threw myself whole heartedly into university life and found the law departments ongoing support invaluable. Their ongoing encouragement, availability and positivity spurred me on to realise my full potential. In 2021, I was diagnosed with dyslexia and with the support of the university I was able to obtain the additional support and adjustments I required to assist me. I now see my dyslexia as a part of who I am and not a barrier to achieve.
Ongoing invaluable support
Undertaking an extremely challenging academic course alongside being a sports scholar is not for the faint hearted. The demand of the course means to achieve I had to prioritise academics over some social life invitations to reduce the pressure of falling behind with exam preparations and the large amount of work to be completed outside of the lectures.
Whilst completing the degree, I competed individually in tournaments and BUCS competitions. The support I received from Rhondell Stabana, who was the Lifestyle coach, and Keval Patel, who was the psychologist, was invaluable. James Boxall, was also extremely supportive, he is the University of Derby badminton coach, and has been involved in my badminton journey since the age of 13 - when I was a junior badminton player representing England.
Achieving Success
Despite the incredible demands of the studies I thoroughly enjoyed my law course and achieved a First Class honours degree. At the end of my course, I was awarded the Alpheus John Robotham Award for exceptional contribution to university life.
During my studies for my law degree, I had numerous sporting achievements - including winning the BUCS Nationals women's doubles in 2022 with Abbygael Harris and winning numerous badminton gold competitions in both women's doubles and mixed doubles. These gold tournaments are the highest level on the English circuit, as a team we also reached the BUCS Championship team final in 2023. Following my success and performance, I am proud to continue to be sponsored by Babolat who have supported me for many years.
I commenced a role as a Legal Assistant at a busy office specialising in property, prior to starting my Legal Practice Course/LLM in Law. To be successful in law, it is vital to gain valuable work experience within the legal profession, so I was thrilled to have this opportunity. I completed this role for 6 months before obtaining a role as a Paralegal in March in Nottingham where I now work full time dealing with child and family cases, a role which is incredibly demanding and at times very emotive.
Overcoming Challenges
The last 10 months have been the most challenging experience of my life. Studying for my LPC which consists of two days of lectures every weekend, alongside a vast amount of studying and course work which is then cemented by 11 exams in a two-week period in February/March and 3 further exams in June alongside a full-time job has been challenging.
In 2024, I was studying for my 11 law exams at the English Institute of Sport whilst competing in BUCS Nationals in two events. This was touch both emotionally and physically but winning the women's doubles and having the gold medal put around mine and Sophie Watson's necks - made everything worth it, plus it fired me up to do well in my exam the following day.
En route to the BUCS Championship team final against Loughborough - I received an email advising me I had passed my legal business exam, the team thought I was upset but these were actually tears of joy due to me finding this the most taxing exam. Sadly, we lost to Loughborough in the final but we gave our all as a team.
The LPC commitments meant I could not compete as often individually this season, this has been difficult to come to terms with as my personal life has always been so focused on badminton. As a sports scholar, it has been crucial to maintain my fitness and motivation - the assistance from Josh Davidson in my Strength and Conditioning sessions has helped to maintain my focus.
The Law Department have never doubted my ability to achieve my LPC, despite the challenges. In July I discovered I was one of only four students to pass the LPC and I had in fact passed all 14 exams on their first sitting was my proudest day. My understanding is that only around 35% of people in England pass the LPC nationally. Those people closest to me, I can only thank wholeheartedly for their support and understanding as only they truly know how incredibly hard the last year has been and what sacrifices have been made.
Dreaming Big
It shows that you can have big dreams and fulfil them, even when you feel you are climbing the highest mountain without ropes. The emails of support from Elizabeth Haysom, the head of the LPC course always seem to come at the right time and kept the cohort going.
Having now achieved my gold futures award at the university, the final part of my journey will be completing my dissertation over the next 6 months alongside my role as a Paralegal. I have also recently secured a solicitors training contract in Birmingham.
Future Aspirations
My badminton competition journey commenced in June when I made the semi-finals in Warwickshire which I will now seek to build upon.
I am proud to be the secretary of the Derby Powerlifting society, sit as a trustee on the Derby Union Board, proud to have the support of my mentor Head Solicitor Will Morris at Rolls Royce and very thankful for the support of the Aspiring Solicitors Foundation who have supported me for several years, recognising my work alongside my studies.
I am really looking forward to completing the last year of my masters and competing in my first powerlifting competition in December.
