Tuesday 10 January 2012
Class Act at FVC
Three of Scotland’s most promising young sports stars have found themselves all studying in the same class at Forth Valley College.
The Highers programme class - which covers Higher Maths, English and Psychology - at the college’s Stirling Campus boasts Swimmer Hope Gordon (16), Judo expert Reece Calder (18) and Hibs Youth Team footballer Jordan McCauslin (18).
Hope from near Inverness – who suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophe – is one of the most promising Paralympic swimmers in Scotland at the moment. She is currently on a Winning Student Scholarship and does her training at Stirling University.
Despite suffering from constant chronic pain in her legs Hope has made tremendous progress in her classification. At a recent Scottish Talent swimming meet she won five gold medals in various front crawl events!
She said: “I want to qualify for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio, but I will do my best to be at the 2012 games trials, though it might be a bit too close for me. However, I am really looking forward to the trials that will take place at the London Olympic Aquatic centre in March – what an experience that will be.”
Centre half, Jordan from Tullibody – who used to play with Alloa Albion - has recently signed a deal with Hibernian and is delighted with his progression over the last few months. He hopes to study and progress into sports coaching.
He said: “It has been great to sign for a team such as Hibs and it has been great to train with their first team, with professional footballers at a higher level as that helps me to progress. I am really enjoying my football right now and hope one day to turn professional and play for Scotland.”
Black belt Reece who is from Edinburgh but currently stays in Sauchie, is currently number two in the whole of the UK at his Junior Under 81 kilogram Judo category. He has set qualification for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and Rio Olympic Games in 2016 as his long term goals. However he is currently focusing on trying to claim a place on the British European Cup team this year.
The Edinburgh Judo Club member said: “I love my Judo and if I am not at college I am either taking part in competitions, training on the mat or coaching. The college course is helping me achieve the qualifications I wasn’t able to at school and I hope to go on to college or university.
“I think Jordan, Hope and myself all inspire each other as we are quite close friends in the class and we talk about each other’s performances. Our other classmates have been great as well and really support us in what we are trying to achieve.”
FVC Learner Development Worker Mhairi Harvey, said: “It is quite unusual having so many talented athletes in the ones class, all at the top of their game in their chosen sport. They are great students and a pleasure to be with and everyone in the class encourages and supports them when they go to compete. I am glad they are getting so much from their higher programme at Forth Valley College.”
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