Silver medal for Kieran as he runs his debut race in England vest

New City College student Kieran O’Hara recently competed for England at the iconic Loughborough Athletics International – winning a silver medal and running a season’s best!

Kieran, 24, who has studied at Ardleigh Green campus since 2019 and is now on the Supported Internship Programme based at Havering Sixth Form, was competing in the Para 1500m.

Teacher Wendy Gordon said: “Kieran is a very popular student and we were all so proud when he was selected to run for England at the Loughborough International.

“Getting his first England vest was a tremendous achievement. This is the first time Para athletes have been included in the team with the mainstream athletes at this event, so it was even more exciting for him.

“He put in a fantastic performance, finishing a very close second behind the winner and posting a time of 4:07.5 – the fastest he has run this year.”

Kieran was able to mix with famous athletes such as Katarina Johnson-Thompson and coaches such as Linford Christie as he stayed overnight at the England team hotel.

The meeting is an important date in the calendar for top athletes as they chase qualifying standards ahead of the World Athletics Championships and the World Para Athletics Championships.

New City College Supported Internship Programme Tutor Christopher Tysall added: “This was an incredible experience for Kieran and so well deserved. He is dedicated and has worked so hard for this. We are all thrilled for him.”

Scott Grace, England Athletics Team Leader said: “Congratulations to all the athletes who competed as this year’s Loughborough International. It was a great opportunity to compete for their country at the highest level and there were some fantastic performances.”

New City College Supported Internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. The core aim of a Supported Internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach.

Find out more about Supported Internships at New City College for SEND students