Graduation Tales: Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt achieves Masters degree

Dragons Rugby player Ashton Hewitt is graduating this week from the University of South Wales (USW) with a Masters degree in HR Management.

As well as balancing a demanding rugby career and intensive study for the past three years, Ashton has also faced a torrent of racist abuse on social media – particularly in response to his support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Ponthir, was regularly attacked on Twitter after sharing his own experiences of racist abuse and calling on rugby authorities to take a stronger stance against racial discrimination.

“That was a particularly tough time for me,” said Ashton, who has played for the Dragons since 2013.

“But my university lecturers and everyone at the Dragons – from the players to the Managing Director – were amazingly supportive, and really helped me through it.

“We’ve even set up an equality programme at the club, to enable us to have those conversations around racism and other forms of inequality by working with schools, clubs and community based groups in the region. I’m really proud of the way the Dragons have gone one step further to actually tackle this problem.”

After completing his degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at USW, Ashton took a year out from study before deciding to take on the Masters course.

Having played rugby since the age of 11, and risen through the Academy structure in Gwent, he had always dreamed of playing professionally, but was keen to develop his education in readiness for life after his playing career.

“It was important to me to give myself plenty of opportunities for later on in life, so I realised that it could only ever be a positive thing to add to my qualifications,” he said.

“When I was doing my A levels at school, I didn’t really see myself as someone who would go to university, as rugby was my priority. But I’m so glad I made the decision to come to USW as it has challenged me in so many ways, and I’ve discovered that I can handle anything that comes my way.

“Of course, it has been challenging at times to balance everything and fit assignments around training and games, but I couldn’t have asked for a better university experience. I’ve had so much support from USW and the Dragons – they have done all they possibly can to get me through.”