MATTHEW Carley, from Deal, has became the first ever undergraduate student to be receive a rugby referee scholarship.

Carley, 19, will begin his studies in September at the University of Gloucestershire.

The scholarship is for the university's Sports Science degree course and this venture comes about as a result of collaboration between the university, the Rugby Football Union and the Gloucester & District Referees Society.

Carley will receive a tailor-made programme to meet academic and training requirements, along with sports science support and development.

As a member of the Gloucester & District Referees' Society and the Gloucestershire Federation, he will receive regular appointments to officiate matches and opportunities to work with professional staff such as IRB and Zurich Premiership referee Chris White.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity," said Carley, who became interested in refereeing at the age of 15 when he played for his local side Canterbury.

"Ideally I would like to become a full time, professional referee and this course will give me the pathway I need.

"It is also very exciting to be the first ever person in the country to take this scholarship and although I think there will be a great deal of work and pressure I am very much looking forward to it."

Andy Melrose, the RFU's rugby referee development officer for the South West, said: "We all see this as an exciting opportunity to promote refereeing in a new way as well as forging closer links with the game in general.

"The Sports Science degree course will offer a great deal of appropriate knowledge to the students on the refereeing scholarship."