Loughborough College students have been named as national semi-finalists in the World Skills UK Fitness Trainer Competition – putting them in sight of the 2016 crowns.
Scores from the Midlands final were lined up against regional finalist scores from across the country – with all four College competitors going through to the next round.
Emma Foley and Ai Lin Leow were named in first and second place in the Gym Instructor category and fellow student Terri Musson took the Personal Trainer top spot at the regional head to head for the competition, in collaboration with the Association of Colleges Sport.
Fellow Loughborough College student Jack Burbank won the 2015 national Gym Instructor title and his high points score in the Midlands 2016 Personal Trainer category ensured he will join Emma, Ai Lin and Terri for the national semi final.
Mark Thorpe, Lecturer in Exercise and Fitness at Loughborough College, said: “Students across the country completed an online exam and had to produce and submit a video showcase with only 40 Gym Instructors and 30 Personal Trainers selected nationally to compete in the regional finals, so that alone was a great achievement.
“But to then win the top prizes and achieve scores which take you through to the next round is outstanding.
“Emma, Ai Lin, Terri and Jack will join 17 other top scorers for the national semi-finals – and it will be on a significantly larger scale so I will be ensuring all four of our students are fully prepared before the big day.”
Mark, who was a judge in the Personal Trainer category for the final of last year’s competition and was also amongst the judges for this year’s regional competitions, added: “This World Skills UK competition is gathering huge momentum with entries up 45% on last year.
“Loughborough College only entered for the first time last year and Aimee Housley got through to regionals in the Personal Trainer category while Jack Burbank got through in the Gym Instructor category - with Jack going on to win in the Grand Final.
“The 2016 semi-finals will decide which eight Gym Instructors and six Personal Trainers will compete at the Grand Final later this year.”
The World Skills UK Fitness Trainer Competition 2016 semi-finals take place on 5 July.
Pictured: (left to right) Loughborough College students and World Skills UK Fitness Trainer Competition top scorers Terri Musson, Emma Foley, Ai Lin Leow and Jack Burbank