A CAREER in sport is promising for two lucky Fife College students who have spent part of their summer break coaching in the Twin Town Olympiad competition in Germany.

This is thanks to a unique partnership between Fife College and the Fife Olympiad and will see a Lochgelly student benefitting from the experience.

Todd Arthur (20), from Markinch and Paul Maxwell (19), from Lochgelly, who have recently completed the HND Coaching and Development of Sport course at Fife College, were delighted when they heard that they would be spending five days in Böblingen, forming part of the men’s football team for The Fife Olympiad.

The Fife Olympiad provides the opportunity for young people, aged fourteen to seventeen, to represent Fife and compete at an Olympic style event in a different town in Europe every three years.

The seven twin towns includes Glenrothes, Pontoise in France, Alba in Italy, Sittard-Geleen in Holland, Krems in Austria, Boblingen in Germany and Bergama in Turkey.

Paul found the event an invaluable experience and is grateful to the College for preparing him for such an intense and rewarding opportunity.

Said Paul: “It was great to meet new people from all over Europe and experience a different culture.

"It just goes to show what a career in sport can do and where it can take you.”

The students travelled with their lecturer, James Shields, who is delighted that the students were able to enjoy such a great and rare experience so early on in their sporting career.

Said James: “I’m extremely proud of Todd and Paul for representing the College in this fantastic event. "This experience has given them the opportunity to utilise the skills they have gained at College in an international context and they have both done their very best to show our international friends what Fife College can do!”

The male Fife Olympiad football team played in six football matches across a three day period winning three of the matches against Sittard-Geleen, Böblingen and Alba, and drawing in two and losing one.

The Fife Olympiad was awarded with the Fair Play Award for their sportsmanship and team spirit throughout the five days!

Applications for Sport and Fitness courses such as NC Sport and Fitness and Army Preparation Level 4 starting in August 2017 are now open. Visit the College’s course page?? or call 0344 248 0115 for more information.

Our picture shows HND Coaching and Development of Sport student, Todd Arthur; Sport and Fitness Lecturer, James Shields and HND Coaching and Development of Sport student, Paul Maxwell.