A Coleg Gwent student has won a coveted UK award for her contribution to the college and local community.
Dedicated sport student Ashleigh Ridout has been named British Colleges Sport (BCS) Student of the Year in the Leadership and Volunteering female category at the BCS annual gala dinner, beating competition from her contemporaries across the UK.
Ashleigh, 18, from Blackwood, has consistently impressed both students and staff at Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus with her committed attitude, coaching her peers in a variety of sports and giving up her spare time to volunteer in local primary and secondary schools.
The distinction grade student is passionate about getting young people involved in sport and aims to become a PE teacher after going on to study at university.
“I’m so pleased and proud to have won the award,” said Ashleigh, who is also South East Wales U18 netball squad captain.
“Getting the opportunity to develop my sports skills when I was younger really made a huge difference to me, so I understand how important it is to give something back, and encourage young people to get excited about sport.”
Among her many achievements whilst studying at college, Ashleigh has led Crosskeys Campus netball team to successful Welsh and British tournament victories as captain and was voted class representative by her fellow students.
A committed member of Caerphilly County Borough Council Sports Development ‘Coaches of the Future’ programme in local schools, Ashleigh is working towards volunteering qualifications alongside her college work, and has become a senior coach at her local Blackwood netball club.
Even with so much on her plate, Ashleigh is a positive driving force behind raising the bar in her local community, ensuring that all her activities are well-planned and delivered to the highest standards for the benefit of local youngsters.
The talented student has made the most of her time at college, and credits her course for giving her the skills to succeed: “As my knowledge has grown, so has my confidence. I’ve learnt a lot and gained so much brilliant experience,” she said.
Ashleigh’s tutor Emma Hurley said: “This is a very well-deserved award for outstanding achievement, which has been won in the face of UK-wide competition.
“Ashleigh’s enthusiasm for sport is infectious, making her a very successful leader within the local community and at College. People respond to her maturity, sportsmanship and strong sense of responsibility, and she is seen as a source of inspiration by other students.”