Loughborough student finalist in ‘Student of the Year’ awards
THE ASSOCIATION of Colleges has named Loughborough College’s Matthew Chilvers as a finalist for its national Student of the Year awards.
Matthew has been shortlisted by the AoC in the higher education category for the Awards, which each year ‘celebrate the achievements of exceptional individuals from colleges across England.’
The 22 year old, who is studying for a BA (Hons) in Sport Management with Loughborough College, has an autistic spectrum disorder and is not only a Special Olympian in tennis but has also become a qualified tennis coach, tirelessly volunteering with pupils including children and young people with autism and players affected by cancer, as well as groups of older people with sight impairments, who are recovering from surgery and who have dementia.
Matthew’s academic achievements were recently marked with a Loughborough College Student of the Year award, presented to him at the 2019 graduation ceremony.
Joining the College in 2013, Matthew went on to achieve NVQ Level 2 in Activity Leadership and a level 3 diploma in Coaching and Supporting Physical Education before achieving double distinction star for his BTEC level 3 diploma in Sport and Exercise Fitness, and a distinction on all but one of his modules in the HND in Sport and Leisure Management.
He said: “I was shocked to discover I am a finalist in the AoC Student of the Year awards – but I am very happy. I want to do all I can to change people’s perception of autism and disability and to promote sport and activity.
“It is so important for young people to be active, for sport to be accessible to everyone and to enable people to have a positive experience, whoever they are.
“Autistic people can be clever and they can achieve. I am completing my degree now and my aim is to eventually set up my own business delivering sport coaching.”
Loughborough College CEO John Doherty said: “We are delighted that Matthew has been named as a finalist for this year’s Association of Colleges higher education student of the year award and wholeheartedly congratulate him.”
The student of the year awards ceremony will be held during AoC’s Annual Conference at The ICC, Birmingham on Tuesday, November 19.