Scholarship for swimmer Jeffery

A DODDINGTON swimmer has been awarded a prestigious scholarship at one of the country s best sports academies. On Tuesday, nationally ranked swimmer Jeffery Hill, 17, began a two-year sports and leisure studies course at Kelly College, which forms part of

A DODDINGTON swimmer has been awarded a prestigious scholarship at one of the country's best sports academies.

On Tuesday, nationally ranked swimmer Jeffery Hill, 17, began a two-year sports and leisure studies course at Kelly College, which forms part of a cutting-edge academy in the west country.

Jeffery, who swims for the City of Ely Swimming Club, received news of his award after attending a successful two-day assessment in Tavistock, Devon, and he was thrilled to accept it.

He said: "I was really delighted to hear of the scholarship and the facilities at the academy are second to none.

"Many successful swimmers and athletes have come out of the academy and I also hope to develop in to a swimmer of international standard.

"Once I have finished my studies I intend to move up to a HND course and continue my sporting development."

The Kelly Academy of Sport has established a proven and successful formula of combining international coaching, training and competing with a specialist academic programme for aspiring international swimmers and triathletes.

And while Jeffery, right. studies sport and leisure, he will be picking up the very best advice from former Olympian and Great Britain coach Robin Brew.

Jeffery, a freestyle swimmer over a range of distances from 50m to 1500m, will be hoping to improve his national rankings. He said: "There will be the opportunity to train for more than 20 hours a week in the pools or gym and working alongside some of the best swimmers and triathletes in the country will be a fantastic experience."

Kelly College competes in the National Speedo League as well as other district and national events, and has produced a swimming squad member for every Olympic Games since 1980.