ALTON College student Tia Ruel is hoping to be one of the next generation of Paralympians going to Tokyo in 2020 to represent Team GB in boccia.

She is currently studying for the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport and hopes to become a full-time boccia player when she completes her studies.

Formerly at Treloar School, Tia has been playing boccia for ten years and trains three days a week. She is part of the England Lions squad which trains every three months. The Lions are up-and-coming players who have proven their mettle through competition and occasionally represent England in friendly international tournaments.

If successful, Tia will follow in the footsteps of Alton College and Treloar’s School alumnus David Smith who was in the GB boccia team that won gold at the 2008 Paralympics and also competed at London 2012.

Tia uses training facilities in Maidenhead provided by SportsAble and last year she demonstrated boccia for James Puxley, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire. It was to illustrate the brilliant work done by SportsAble, a life-changing charity that provides sport and leisure opportunities and facilities to the physically and sensorially disabled. It is one of the top organisations of its kind in the country, offering a gateway from grass roots to Paralympic level.

PE was always Tia’s favourite subject growing up and she is delighted to continue her studies in sport at Alton College.

She said: “I live, breathe, eat, sleep and dream boccia and everyone at Alton College has been very supportive in helping me study around my training. I’m looking forward to finishing my studies and being able to play boccia all the time.”

To find out more about studying sport at Alton College, visit www.altoncollege.ac.uk and follow the links.