FVC sports teams take part in national finals

Students represented Forth Valley College at four sports recently at the Scottish Student Sport Colleges National Finals – taking home a silver in the women’s volleyball competition.

The Oriam sports facility in Edinburgh was the venue for the event on Wednesday 29 April, as eight Colleges sent teams for men and women to compete in a range of sports including Badminton, Basketball, Football and Volleyball.

The FVC female volleyball team were made up of students from a mixture of sports courses and the players were: Lucy Kelso, Bailey Black, Kashiya McMurray, Kayla McNiven, Shannon Paterson, Alesha Carroll, Sophie Lindsay. The team did the College proud by winning against City of Glasgow College, and Fife College in the group stage. However, unfortunately they were defeated by UHI Inverness in the final – but brought home the silver medal!

FVC also entered a teams into the Men’s Badminton and the two players who represented the College for a second year running were back for more. Babcock Modern Apprentice students Rory Meikle and Joseph Evans faced some tough opponents yet again and unfortunately after the three group stage games were eliminated.

Men’s Football (7-a-side) also had representation from FVC. It was a mixed bag for the 7-a-side team represented by sports students: Spencer Moreland, Ellis Dick, Korey Anderson, Lucas Haig, Brogan Dickson, Kaiden Chisolm, Nathan Finlay, and Innes Robertson. FVC lost the opening game despite taking an early lead to eventual finalists Glasgow Kelvin College. Then they beat City of Glasgow College, before drawing with UHI Inverness in the final game, which ended hope of progression to the playoffs.

In the Men’s Basketball the team narrowly missed out on making the playoffs to get entry into the final. The team was made up of a mixture of sports, modern apprentices, and the FVSA President Martin Podhorsky and included: Josh Porter, Nairn Marshall, Michal Michalowski, Calvin Norris-Noah Chalmers, Noah O’Rourke, Blair Gourley. FVC won games against Dumfries and Galloway, and UHI Inverness Colleges, but unfortunately were defeated by eventual winners City of Glasgow as well as Glasgow Kelvin.

Dean McKirdy, FVC’s Active Campus Coordinator, said: "I would like to praise the attitude and application of all participants who represented the College. It was great to witness the fun and enjoyment everyone had on the day, and win lose or draw we all walked away with a smile on our face.

“A big well done to the female volleyball team who brought home FVC's first ever medals from the SSS National Finals, in only our second attempt at entering.

“Last year we only sent two badminton players to take part in the SSS finals, but this year we had teams enter for four different sports. This shows the growth in the sports and activities here at FVC over the past year, and credit to the lecturers and staff who have bought into the event and allowed students the time off to attend. Next year I am sure we will be able to enter male and female teams for each of the sports and bring home some more silverware!

“A big thanks to Wai Mun Lee, FVC’s Leisure Facilities Coordinator as well for giving up his time to attend the event and his advice and coaching was invaluable to participants on the day."

Anyone looking to find out more information on how to get involved in sports at the College should contact Active Campus Coordinator Dean McKirdy at: dean.mckirdy@forthvalley.ac.uk