Ryan secures scholarship to attend university in the US

Yarm School pupil Ryan Mills is set to continue his swimming and academic career in the United States after securing a scholarship to study finance at Wingate University, North Carolina.

Ryan has been swimming competitively for around 10 years, primarily with Middlesbrough Swimming Club, and has represented Yarm in every school swimming squad, including teams that progressed to national finals in 2022 and 2024.

His ambition to study and compete in the US was shaped by family ties. His mother is from America, and his father previously took up a football scholarship there.

Ryan attracted interest from several universities across the United States, eventually narrowing his decision based on location, coaching set-up and level of competition.

Ranked within the top five in Great Britain in the under-18 category across multiple events, Ryan has competed nationally on numerous occasions, winning medals and breaking longstanding county records.

At university, Ryan will study finance, with the opportunity to pursue sports management as a secondary degree. The structure of US collegiate sport will see him training twice daily, alongside gym sessions, while balancing morning classes and regular competitions, with national championships in March a key target.

Looking ahead, Ryan hopes to pursue a graduate scheme in Charlotte, one of the major financial centres in the United States, before moving into financial analysis or investment banking.

Ryan Mills said: “Swimming has been a huge part of my life for the past decade and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far. The opportunity to study finance in the US while competing at a high level is something I’ve worked towards for a long time. I’m excited to see what the next chapter brings.

“I realised a couple of years ago that this was something I genuinely had the ability to achieve. From that point, going to America became my main focus.”

Huw Williams, Headmaster of Yarm School, said: “Ryan’s achievement reflects years of commitment both in and out of the pool. To reach a level where he is ranked among the top swimmers nationally in his age group, while also securing strong academic results, is a real accomplishment. We are delighted to see him take this next step and look forward to following his progress in the United States.”

“Students leave Yarm and go onto a wide range of destinations and career paths and we are always happy to support them with their future plans, wherever these may take them.