Two learners from Coleg y Cymoedd’s Netball squad are celebrating A-level results day side-by-side, marking the successful culmination of two years of friendship, competition and achievement on and off the court.
Ruby Shorney, 18, from Caerphilly, and Tia Higgins, 19, from Treorchy, first met when they both joined the college’s Netball Academy, neither knowing anyone else on the team at the time. What began as training sessions and matches quickly grew into a close friendship that has shaped their college experience and inspired their future plans.
Ruby, who achieved three As in her PE, Psychology, and Criminology A levels – has been playing netball since the age of six, including representing Wales at a national level. She credits her time on the court with helping her learn how to balance her studies and extracurricular commitments.
Speaking on this she said: “Being part of the Netball Academy has given me so many opportunities – travelling, meeting new people, and developing skills like time management and teamwork. It’s taught me how to push myself academically while still doing what I love.”
Having now completed her studies, Ruby will be setting off on a year-long adventure across South East Asia, hoping to expand her horizons by experiencing different cultures and making lifelong memories, before returning to Wales to decide her next steps.
She said: “I’m hoping that travelling will give me a clearer idea of a career I’d like to pursue – opening me up to new experiences. I think I’ll gain so much. I’ve never gone anywhere on my own so it’s a massive step, but one I think being at college has really helped to prepare me for. I can’t wait to go.”
Choosing to pursue further education, best friend, Tia, who achieved three Distinction grades in her BTEC Sport Level 3 qualification, has secured a place to study Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Exeter, with the goal of becoming a PE teacher.
For two years, she committed to a two-hour daily commute to and from college, showing determination both in the classroom and on the court.
Speaking on her achievement she said: “Coleg y Cymoedd has such a close-knit environment, especially in the Netball Academy,” she said. “You learn alongside the people you play with, which really builds friendships and support. I’ve grown so much here, not just as an athlete, but as a person.”
Tia has also represented the Academy’s premier side in international fixtures, including matches against elite teams such as South Africa. Looking ahead, she hopes to spend a semester abroad in Australia or New Zealand during her degree to further her sporting and life experience.
She added: “One of the main reasons that I chose Exeter was they offer the chance to spend a year studying abroad, which is definitely something I want to do. Like Ruby, I’d love to open myself up to new experiences somewhere else in the world and just throw myself into that environment while I have no real responsibilities. Maybe we could also potentially meet up out in Australia which would be amazing.”
Both girls are in agreement about their experience going to college. Ruby confirmed: “We’d have never met if we both hadn’t decided to take a chance on coming to college.
We’re definitely friends for life and just overall, our experiences here have shaped us as people. It’s really helped prepare us for our next steps and we feel so ready for our next chapters.”
