Braintree Rugby Club's Stewart Cornelius has scored another kind of success this week - passing his Diploma in Sports Psychology with flying colours.

At 15 Stewart, who has been player of the year for the Braintree Under 16s side, is one of the youngest students to pick up the distance learning award from Rusland College in Bath.

Stewart, of Gloucester Avenue, Chelmsford, explained that the diploma is part of his long-term aim to make a career in sport.

A student at Moulsham High School in Chelmsford he has two ambitions - to do a degree in sports sciences and to play for England.

He explained that the diploma course work - which consisted of projects and essays - has had to be fitted around school hours and training sessions.

"I've had to work for it, but I'm very pleased with the results," he said.

Meanwhile Stewart's sporting success looks set to continue - just two week's ago the young flanker helped the Braintree side bring home the U16s Essex Cup from the final play-off at Romford.

Braintree Rugby Club's Stewart Cornelius is pictured with his Diploma in Sports Psychology certificate.

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