Meet the 2025 BASC Legacy and BASC Wildlife Fund David Gray Scholarship winners

- Latest news

August 18, 2025

Four students have been selected to receive funding from BASC’s scholarship programmes for 2025.

BASC’s 2025 scholarship recipients are Beth Stephenson and Oliver Clayton, who receive awards from the BASC Legacy Scholarship Programme; and Becca Roe and Evie Woodward who will be supported by the BASC Wildlife Fund David Gray Conservation Scholarship.

The BASC Legacy Funded Scholarship programme exists to provide financial support to higher or further education students studying – or about to start a course – in gamekeeping, land management or conservation.

Last year saw the addition of the BASC Wildlife Fund David Gray Conservation Scholarship, which supports those studying for conservation or land management qualifications.

Meet this year's BASC scholarship recipients

Beth Stephenson, from West Yorkshire, is studying for a level 3 qualification in land and wildlife management (gamekeeping) at Askham Bryan College. She wants to become a gamekeeper or work with conservation organisations to maintain moorlands and habitats for wildlife.

She said: “I am deeply grateful to be chosen for the scholarship and for the support BASC is giving me. The funding will allow me to develop my knowledge and experience with gamekeeping and conservation and will help me progress over the next two years of my course and for the rest of my career within the shooting community.”

Oliver Clayton, from the Isle of Wight, is studying for a level 3 qualification in game and wildlife management (game pathway) at Sparsholt College. He wants to become an underkeeper and learn more about deer management.

He said: “The scholarship funding will allow me to stay residentially at Sparsholt, taking off the pressure of travelling to and from the Isle of Wight and ensuring I won’t miss out on important lessons like I did in my first year. I am looking forward to working closely with BASC, updating on my progress and encouraging others.”

Becca Roe, from Berkshire, is studying for a BSc (Hons) in rural land management at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. Her aim is to promote the use of game management strategies to benefit biodiversity.

She said: “I was surprised, in the best way possible, to learn that I had received the scholarship and am very grateful. It has made me even more enthusiastic as I progress towards my career aspirations. I look forward to continuing doing what I love and working in the countryside with the help of funding from BASC.”

Evie Woodward, from Gloucestershire, is also studying for a BSc (Hons) in rural land management at the Royal Agricultural University. She hopes to become a chartered surveyor within the rural sector.

She said: “I’m delighted to have been selected for a BASC scholarship award. Having not come from a shooting background, I’m really looking forward to working closely with BASC over the next three years. Going down the chartered surveying pathway appeals greatly to me as an opportunity to contribute to the practice of efficient estate management and sustainable development, while incorporating my passion for the countryside.”

Investing in the future of the sector

BASC head of education and outreach Curtis Mossop said: “BASC scholarship programme plays a vital role in empowering young people to pursue their educational goals with confidence. By removing significant financial barriers and opening doors to new opportunities, the programme helps nurture the next generation of thinkers and innovators within the wildlife management and conservation sectors.

“Supporting students on their academic journey isn’t just an investment in their future, it’s an investment in the future of our sector too and we’re proud to have them on board.”

Find out more about the BASC Legacy Funded Scholarship and BASC Wildlife Fund David Gray Conservation Scholarship programmes here.