Centre Forward trainee Steven Stone is literally jumping for joy these days after he competed in a Scotland team jersey for the very first time.
Steven (19) from Bo’ness, who is also a former Workstart student at Forth Valley College, has just returned from representing his country in Italy (6-10 June) in a competition for athletes with learning disabilities and in the T20 classification. He finished 5th overall in the long-jump and is now ranked fifth in the world.
The Falkirk Victoria Harriers athlete, who is also number one in Scotland for the 100m and number two in the 200m and is also number one in Britain for the triple jump and long jump, said: “I feel really great representing my country and am very proud of myself. I am now looking forward to competing in the British Championships in Manchester on Friday 28 June.”
Steven has also recently posted personal best times in the 100 and 200 metres and his impressive achievements have also made his sister Lauren Tenn-Mills – who like Steven is an elite athlete – very proud, though a little jealous of his international recognition.
Fellow FVC student Lauren, who is currently on summer scholarship to Harvard University in Boston, USA, said: “I am so proud of Steven. He has beat me to being the first in the family to pull on a Scotland kit, but he thoroughly deserves it. He is inspiring me to do the same.”
Stephen Grainger, Curriculum Manager in FVC's Department of Business and Communities, said: "Steven is such a hard worker and dedicated young athlete and his recent success has made us all very proud."
Staff and students within the Centre Forward programme are extremely proud of Steven’s achievements, he is an inspiration to everyone involved in the centre Forward programme. Well done from us all!
The Centre Forward – Making Your Next Move Project, which Steven is currently on, will help accelerate his learning and development as well as promote his self-esteem and confidence.
FVC’s Department of Business and Communities – who have extensive expertise in this area – have teamed up with Falkirk Football Community Foundation (FFCF) to run the ‘Development through Sport’ model operate the initiative.
Combined with certificated SQA units, the project will offer a comprehensive suite of skills that will enable each young person taking part to overcome their individual barriers to progression. All of the classroom based workshops are coupled with practical sport/physical activity sessions to enhance skills-for-work, decision-making, problem-solving and team work, whilst enhancing feelings of belonging, contribution and achievement.
In addition, young people taking part are enrolled as FVC students and will therefore benefit from the range of student resources available, including the Learning Resource Centre, Student Services and on-campus gym.
The Changing Lives Through Physical Activity grant programme- which helps to fund the programme - is supported by The Robertson Trust, The Scottish Government, sportscotland and Spirit of 2012.
Anyone looking to find out more should visit: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/supported-learning/centre-forward-programme
