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NFL star from Co Down graduates alongside his mother

Nelisiwe Shabalala, from Johannsberg, South Africa, is graduating with a degree in sociology from Queen's University

Charlie Smyth with mum Julie Smyth, who both graduated from St Mary's. Pic by Gerard Curley courtesy of St Mary's University College, Belfast

Charlie Smyth of the New Orleans Saints kicks the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, at State Farm Stadium on August 10, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Jamie-Lee Beggs with daughter Freya

Nelisiwe Shabalala, from Johannsberg, South Africa, is graduating with a degree in sociology from Queen's University

Charlie Smyth with mum Julie Smyth, who both graduated from St Mary's. Pic by Gerard Curley courtesy of St Mary's University College, Belfast

thumbnail: Charlie Smyth with mum Julie Smyth, who both graduated from St Mary's. Pic by Gerard Curley courtesy of St Mary's University College, Belfast

thumbnail: Charlie Smyth of the New Orleans Saints kicks the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, at State Farm Stadium on August 10, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

thumbnail: Jamie-Lee Beggs with daughter Freya

Co Down sports star Charlie Smyth, who left his GAA roots to take up the challenge of breaking into American football, has graduated from St Mary’s University College, Belfast.

Charlie, who has just celebrated his 24th birthday, heads back to the US later this week to resume his career with the New Orleans Saints as NFL teams begin their summer training camps ahead of the new season in September.

He will be returning with an MSc in sport and PE for young people in his back pocket.

And to make his day even more special, he graduated alongside his mum, Julie, who has completed a master’s in education.

Earlier this year, Charlie agreed a two-year deal which will keep him under contract for that duration if he makes the Saints’ 53-man roster in August.

The former Down Gaelic footballer missed out on the active roster five months ago but did secure a place in the Saints’ practice squad, which kept alive his NFL ambitions after being picked up through the NFL international player pathway (IPP) programme.

“Right now, all it guarantees me is that I’ve got another off-season with the Saints, and hopefully this time I can make the 53,” he said after signing the deal.

“I’ve got a whole lot better since I started this with the Saints and I feel that there’s a reason why they want me back. Let’s just roll with it and keep making kicks.”

First up for the place-kicker’s team when the new NFL season kicks off will be a game against Arizona Cardinals in the Caesars Superdome on September 7, against whom he landed a match-winning field goal five seconds from time during a pre-season match last August.

Nelisiwe Shabalala, from Johannsberg, South Africa, is graduating with a degree in sociology from Queen's University

Meanwhile, at Queen’s University Belfast there was also graduation joy for two young mums of children with learning difficulties.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Nelisiwe Shabalala, graduating with a degree in sociology, returned to education as a mature student and single mother caring for her son, who has a learning disability.

“Driven by my love of learning and a desire to build a better future, I took a leap of faith,” she said.

“Balancing motherhood and study was never easy, but I reminded myself daily why I was doing it — for a rewarding career and to set an example for my son.”

A highlight of her final year was completing her dissertation, basing the project on her own lived experience, exploring how background and income affect how young people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland feel about the quality of public services like healthcare.

Co Down mum Jamie-Lee Beggs, meanwhile, is graduating with a degree in social policy with quantitative methods, having balanced her studies as a mature student with being a full-time carer to her daughter Freya, who has autism and learning disabilities.

Jamie-Lee Beggs with daughter Freya

“I had previously worked as a carer and support worker for people with disabilities,” the Bangor woman said.

“It was always something I enjoyed, and I wanted to study something which may lead me back to that area of work someday.

“Graduating really does mean a lot to me. I had always regretted not going to university, so I decided to begin studying an Access course part-time when my daughter was younger, hoping it would then lead me to university.

“It really has not been an easy journey for many reasons, but I was very determined to keep going. To have now finished it, with a higher grade than I had expected, has just made it so worthwhile, and I hope it will show my own daughter that it is never too late to return to something you want to achieve.”

Jamie-Lee has excelled in her degree, being awarded two prizes for her academic performance.

She also took part in a group project in collaboration with the Children’s Heartbeat Trust, researching and evaluating good practice in how siblings of children experiencing a serious illness can be nurtured and protected, awarded the highest mark in her module.

Looking forward, Jamie-Lee is now considering returning to postgraduate study linked to disability or special education.

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