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Issey Aspen

Issey Aspen, who is studying at City College for an Extended Diploma in Sport, has been awarded a bursary to attend Plymouth Marjon University, where she will study for a degree in sports rehabilitation and conditioning.

The 18-year-old competitive swimmer, who is considered a role model to her peers due to her mature attitude to her studies and consistently high grades, is also a part of the College’s Elite Performance Academy and a member of the Caradon Swimming Club .

Issey, who lives in Callington, chose to study at City College because she believed the course provided her with the best opportunities to pursue a career in sport and because she found the balance of exams and coursework appealing. 

Issey said: “I knew the subject was coursework based but also had four exams – this was a good balance and worked well for me.

“The College is located close to where I train, and I found this made juggling training and studying easy without having to compromise on either. My other reason for choosing City College is I wanted to try something different. College provided the opportunity of meeting new people and being in a different environment.”

For Issey, her time at City College has helped in many different ways. Issey explained: “In addition to my academic development, City College has helped me with my confidence and I have grown as a person. I have matured and gained many new skills, such as public speaking, and at the College, you are encouraged to meet and work with a variety of people from all different backgrounds.

“I can’t praise the sports lecturers enough. They have been so helpful and supportive during my two years at the College. They have taught me to strive to be the best I can possibly be and I have truly appreciated their support throughout the process of applying to university. 

“Being a part of the College’s Elite Performance Academy (EPA) has been an incredible experience. I gained so much knowledge about different sporting exercises and how to treat and condition my body. The EPA itself has been a huge benefit to me and my swimming performance, as it helped me become more toned and I gained in muscular strength and size. 

“I really enjoyed being a part of the EPA as I got to train one-to-one with my own personal trainer, who specifically designed my sessions according to my sport and abilities, as well as balance my current training programme with my swimming club.”

Sport lecturer, Sean Stupples, said: “Being awarded a scholarship is a massive achievement for any student, but due to Issey’s hard work and commitment, we aren’t surprised in the slightest.”