Two inspirational sportswomen have received Honorary Doctorates from Bournemouth University.

England netball star Geva Mentor CBE was recognised for her sporting achievements and work to support vulnerable women and young people.

She received the degree just days after officially opening the Geva Mentor Fitness Park on Bournemouth beach.

Swimmer Alice Tai MBE was recognised for being an ambassador for sport and an inspirational role model.

She has won multiple medals at Paralympic, World and European games after undergoing a series of operations as a child to help her to walk.

In January this year Alice had a further operation to remove the lower part of her right leg and went on to win Gold at the Commonwealth Games just six months later.

Widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, Geva, pictured, was born and raised in Bournemouth.

She attended Kings Park School and then St Peter’s School which she credits with helping to launch her netball career.

Geva, who is an ambassador for the Steve Bernard Foundation, said: “It’s super special to receive this accolade, not just for me but for my family.

“I’m a fifth generation Bournemouth lass and I couldn’t pass up on the offer to come back.

“I’m really excited to be able to speak to the graduates here and soak up the atmosphere.”

Geva made her international debut aged 16 and has since earned 160 caps and captained the England team.

Having fought hard to finish fourth in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the team showed resilience and determination to win gold in 2018.

Geva now plays in Australia where she has used her profile to champion social inclusion and support those facing disadvantage.

This has included travelling to remote parts of Australia to run workshops for indigenous young people, acting as a patron of a sports foundation and an ambassador for a trust working with vulnerable women and young people.

Geva received a CBE for services to netball in 2016.

She said: “I’m very proud of where I’m from so to be able to address, particularly the sports students who are graduating, is special.

“What they are able to do and what they can bring back into the community is what I’m all about.

“I’m so passionate about sport and what it can bring to you, not just for the healthy lifestyle but also for building those connections with people.”

Professor John Vinney, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, pictured left, said “Geva’s ‘desire to champion the underdog’ resonates with us, as we work at BU to challenge marginalisation and help people whose voices are seldom heard.

“Geva is an inspirational leader and passionate about helping others to achieve success, regardless of their background.

“It is fantastic to welcome her into our BU community.”

Alice was born in Poole and began swimming at the age of eight with the Seagulls Swimming Club in Christchurch.

She still recalls the freedom and peace that she found from being in the water after all her operations.

Her natural talents were quickly spotted and, by the age of 15, Alice had been selected for the England para-swim team and was competing in her first international competition.

She went on to win gold medals at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, 2018 European Para Swimming Championships and 2019 World Para Swimming Championships.

In January this year, Alice, pictured, underwent an operation to amputate the lower part of her right leg as a means of improving her mobility and reducing pain.

As the Commonwealth Games approached in July, she was still working with her coach to adjust her style of starting, turning in the pool and maintaining balance.

She won Gold in the 100 metres backstroke (S8).

Alice described receiving the honorary doctorate as “mind-blowing”.

She added: “I’ve had such an interesting year in sport and to come back to Bournemouth, the place where it all started, and receive such an accolade is insane!”

Professor John Vinney said: “Alice is an inspiration to us all, achieving such great sporting success despite all the challenges she faced at a young age.

“At BU we are researching assistive technologies to support people with disabilities as part of our work helping people live better for longer and challenging under-representation.

“We are delighted to welcome Alice to our BU community.”

Alice credits her positive approach to life to her parents, who she says helped her to focus on what she could do rather than what she could not.

They encouraged her to find her own way of accomplishing difficult tasks.

In 2016 Alice was made an MBE for services to swimming.

After being handed her degree, Alice told the Bournemouth University graduates in the hall: “I want you to take away from this that you can be as resilient and determined as you need to be.

“And strive to do everything you want to.

“So many people told me that getting my leg amputated in January and going to the Commonwealth Games was a silly idea, but I’m hugely stubborn and said, ‘no, watch me!’

“There’s always going to be barriers and hurdles in whatever you want to do in your life.

“If you want to get there you have to be resilient, and a little bit stubborn.”

Both Geva and Alice received their Honorary Doctor of Arts degrees at the university’s graduation ceremonies at the Bournemouth International Centre.