The Edge - December 2020

2
Talented Sports student,
Harry chases his footballing dream
Sporting Superstars (continued)
This year at Warrington & Vale
Royal College, there has been
an impressive number of gifted
Sports students excelling in
their sporting careers.
One such student is Harry Roper,
who is on our Level 3 Sport
course. Harry is a keen football
player who has his sights set
on becoming a professional
goalkeeper. The former Irlam
& Cadishead Academy student
joined Pro-Football Academy
(PFA) at age 15. Whilst training
here, he was approached by head
coach Gareth Hughes, who leads
the grassroots football training
academy, Coach Right. Gareth
immediately spotted Harry’s
potential and encouraged him to
play for Coach Right’s first team.
Since September, Harry has joined
Old Alts, a team in the Manchester
League Premier Division, which
is the highest league in amateur
football in the Manchester region.
He currently plays in their first
team and has delivered some
impressive performances,
including saving a penalty against
rivals Maine Road Reserves. Harry
says, “My coach advised me if I
wanted to become a professional
player, I’d need to commit to the
team which is something I was
ready to do. I want to progress as
high up in football as I can.”
Alongside his goalkeeping dreams,
Harry continues to excel on his
college course, carefully managing
a packed schedule of studying,
training and coaching. Harry’s
tutor, Chris Percival says, “Harry’s
engagement is exemplary and
he is one of our most committed
students; whether that’s in
classroom-based activities, or in
remote learning. He is someone
other classmates look up to; a real
role model.”
Cycling Superstar Syd on the
road to success
Level 3 Sport student, Syd
Brown has ambitious plans for
his track career after enjoying
much success in the sport.
Last year, he was selected to join
the Regional Schools of Racing
(RSR) Programme, a talent
development pathway launched
by British Cycling. This aims to
develop young riders who are
showing the most promise in the
sport, to prepare them for the next
stage in their sporting career.
Syd first developed a love of
cycling after his grandad, who
raced competitively, introduced him
to the sport and encouraged him
to take part. Syd, who lived and
attended school in Majorca, began
his training at a young age and
even rode across the Pyrenees. At
the age of 15, he came to the UK
to compete in regional races and
was immediately hooked.
Syd’s earliest national endurance
races included The Isle of Man
Youth Tour and the North West
Youth Tour. In one of the stages
of the North West Youth Tour, Syd
managed to place an impressive
12th place out of 120 riders.
Syd currently races for a team led
by respected coach Dan Coombes
and has entered in a string of
competitions including two national
time trials. He has also competed
abroad in Majorca and has even
had the opportunity to compete
in Dubai, where he managed to
achieve a fantastic 3rd place.
Despite competitions being scarce
this year due to the pandemic,
Syd has continued to train hard
and typically spends 12-18 hours
per week on a dedicated training
plan. He visits the velodrome in
Manchester weekly, an Olympic
standard venue which has
produced some of the UK’s best
known cycling stars, including Sir
Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Alongside his passion for cycling,
Syd is dedicated to his college
studies and achieved a fantastic
distinction grade last year. Syd’s
tutor Chris Percival says, “Syd is
a big presence in the group and is
very highly respected. He shares
his experience in cycling and the
other learners regard him highly.”
Syd is full of praise for his tutors
saying, “All of them are positive
and want to see you succeed. For
example, Matt is a motivator- he
keeps us all on track. I wouldn’t
have got my distinction without
Matt’s help.”
Determined Syd’s next goal is
to move to Spain after college,
where he will pursue competitive
racing, “I’d like to enter track racing
in Spain as the races are more
challenging and you can compete
on flat or hilly terrain.” With his
drive and dedication, we are sure
to see Syd taking pride of place on
the podium!
Aaliyah’s
Boxing
Triumph
Level 3 Sport student
Aaliyah has set her sights on
representing Team GB in boxing
after working hard to establish
herself in the sport.
The former King’s Leadership
Academy student has a passion for
boxing, having joined clubs from
the age of 8. She has trained with
Hook and Jab Boxing and Fitness
Centre, a Warrington-based gym,
for the last 2 years and represents
the clubs under 18s in local and
regional competitions.
Aaliyah last competed earlier
this year in Wolverhampton and,
after a gruelling match, she came
away the triumphant winner. She
is now training for the national
championships in the hope of
winning more titles and being
scouted for Team GB.
Aaliyah says she originally joined
the sport course as, “The tutors
seemed friendly and supportive.”
She is interested in directing her
passion into becoming a boxing
coach and she says, “The theory
work I’m studying on the course
helps me with my understanding
of coaching.”
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