A STUDENT at Swindon College is combining finishing off her studies with working on the teaching staff as a Sportsmaker.

Chloe Brown, 19, from Gorsehill, says: “I’m just completing a BTech qualification in Sports Coaching and Fitness. The job came up at College and the staff suggested I apply for it, and I got the post in April.

"So I finished one Thursday as a student and was in next day as a member of staff!”

After two months in the role, Chloe has settled in to teaching, running the gym and putting on extra-curricular classes. The range of sports on offer includes boxing, hockey, basketball, badminton, Zumba and soccer.

She explains: “My role is to get more students involved in sport, and I’m spending a lot of time working with the Foundation Learning department which caters for students with Special Educational Needs.”

The gym has now been revamped with new equipment, a new coat of paint and mirrors, and Chloe is waiting for the arrival of more specialist equipment that’s adapted for use by disabled students.

She says: “My background is in boxing and that’s been providing popular so I’ve got more boxing equipment on order, as well as lowered punchbags and bikes for disabled athletes.”

Chloe herself started boxing in Year 9 – “I was the only girl in Scrappers’ Gym,” she recalls – and went on to do GCSE PE, specialising in the sport.

She explains: “I went on to help with coaching, and I’m using that experience to bring boxing into college. Lots of the Foundation Learning lads, in particular, are really enjoying their sessions and are keen to learn and progress.”

Looking ahead, Chloe is organising a grand opening for the revamped gym, and she’s currently in talks to bring professional female boxer Kelly Morgan to the College to provide a role model for the students.

Looking ahead, Chloe plans to complete her BTech – “College have fast-tracked me so I only have one more assignment left,” she says – and then focus on building participation amongst students of all abilities and standards.

She says: “My aim is to increase levels of participation and eventually to create a gym which people will be happy to pay to use.

"Any extra money raised will go towards keeping standards high and bringing in new equipment to make it the best.”