A champion weightlifter is taking on a new challenge at West Thames College in Isleworth.
Shonagh Woodburn-Hall is the two-time reigning Under-18s British Weightlifting champion joined the college as part of its FreshStart programme and is working her way towards a BTEC Introductory Certificate in Sport.
The 15-year-old only took up weightlifting aged 11 after her talent was spotted by her PE coach when she was playing rugby, and she won her first competition within months.
“My brother, James Woodburn-Hall, is my role model. Before playing professional rugby, he used to weightlift, and my PE teacher at Feltham Community College encouraged me to pursue it," she said.
"I got the hang of it quickly and through it even got to meet British Olympic weightlifters Jack Oliver and Zoe Smith."
The FreshStart programme is designed for year 11 students who are more suited to college education than secondary school life.
It enables them to study vocational courses alongside GCSEs or other qualifications in maths and English, with a view to going onto another course at the college, an apprenticeship or full-time employment.
Shonagh's FreshStart tutor Keith Cudjoe said: "Shonagh is a dynamic character and by channelling all of her dynamic energy she is sure to succeed not only on FreshStart, but in all she chooses to do."
West Thames College's famous alumni include the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury and the actress Anne-Marie Duff.
* You can learn more about FreshStart and other vocational courses at West Thames College during an open day at its Isleworth campus on Saturday, February 7. See www.west-thames.ac.uk for more details.
