Bermuda footballer Robert Rawlings landed a $10,000 scholarship from the Green family in his pursuit of his dream of becoming a pharmacist.

Mr Rawlings said that the news late this summer that he had won the grant came with excitement, as well as relief, as it eases his family’s burden.

He explained: “For the most part, my mother pays for my tuition and all of my costs. So it relieved a lot of stress on her end.”

Mr Rawlings, 25, a former Bermuda College student, is in the process of completing his masters of pharmacy at the University of Hertfordshire in Britain.

Young Men’s Social Club, for whom Rawlings played as a forward, has also contributed $5,000 to his academic studies.

Social Club president Fred Lewis said: “We encourage the full development of all our sports members. Rawlings stands out because of his drive and determination to go into a field few Bermudians enter, pharmaceutical science.”

Mr Rawlings said his entire tuition costs were covered between the two bursaries.

Before beginning his studies in Britain, Mr Rawlings said his sights were set on pursuing retail pharmacy professionally.

But he added: “Ever since coming out here and hearing my lecturers talk, it’s made me ask questions of what I want to do.

“There are so many new things that are happening in pharmacy.

“Over the next two years, I am going to figure out exactly what I want to do.”

According to government statistics from last May, there were only nine Bermudians working as pharmacists on the island.

Mr Rawlings said that he hopes whatever career path he takes leads him back home.

He added: “One thing that made me want to work as a pharmacist in Bermuda is that most of the pharmacists are non-Bermudian. I feel that we need more Bermudians in the field.”

On the football pitch, Rawlings was praised by Bermuda coach Kyle Lightbourne for his fearless approach.

Mr Rawlings said he was only playing recreational football at school these days so that he could focus on his studies. He was one of 13 young Bermudians who received between $5,000 and $10,000 per year from the Green Family Scholarship this year.

The scholarship funds go towards tuition costs, education supplies or room and board for those studying at an accredited institution outside of Bermuda on a full-time basis.

Social Club says it encourages its members to know about their community, be disciplined in sport and develop their academic ability.

Vice-president Troy Lewis said: “Our endeavour is to develop a well-rounded child that is open to accepting many opportunities. Sport is only an environment. It allows instructional focus where participants can develop unique skills.

“We are grateful that the Green family has acknowledged Rawlings’s ambition with a $10,000 scholarship.

“This is a significant contribution. The Greens’ business acumen is an indicator that an investment in a Young Men’s Social Club member will yield great dividends in the near future.”

Mr Rawlings thanked both the Green family and Social Club for their support.

He added that his mother, Patrice Rawlings, also deserved special recognition.

Mr Rawlings said: “My mother deserves all the credit she can receive. She’s raised me as single mother. I really want to do this for her, and also for myself.”