The continued growth and success of Physical Education and Sport at Hereford Sixth Form College have resulted in a significant increase in the number of elite performers starting courses at the college. To support the differing needs of these athletes we developed our Elite Athlete Support Programme. The programme is designed to help national standard athletes achieve their full sporting potential whilst ensuring that chances of academic success are maximized.
The college is incredibly proud that four athletes who have been part of the Elite Athletes Support Programme over the last few years were able to represent their country at the recent Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow.
Lowri Thomas won gold in the cycling team sprint with Edmunds and Finucane. The Welsh trio twice broke the Commonwealth Games record, recording a time of 46.760 in the final to defeat England. Later at the Games, she qualified for the keirin final and placed sixth.
Henry Lewis competed in the Team Gymnastics competition where he helped the team finish in a credible sixth place.
Clara Evans competed in the team marathon where she was able to contribute to successful day with the team taking Gold.
Meghan Willis finished with a season’s best time and came sixth in the final of the S9 backstroke.
The programme is part of the Sport England TASS initiative which aims to allow students to follow a dual career pathway at 16.
Students are supported to maintain both academic and sporting ambitions and hopefully to progress in Elite sport. To date we have had a range of athletes benefit from the programme, including a Taekwondo champion, junior commonwealth fencer and more!
Students on the programme will receive a range of support, specific to their needs.
Anybody who is interested can contact Andy Douthwaite at ad@hereford.ac.uk or check out details on the college website.
