Picture courtesy of Princeton College Monitor and Box
Via Peter Jardine, Head of Communications
Angela McAuslan-Kelly bridged the distance between rising up in an Aberdeen housing scheme and the hallowed halls of one among The usa’s maximum prestigious tutorial institutions.
How the hammer thrower went from Torry to Princeton College is a tale begging to be informed.
Angela did so with skill, choice and the type of endurance which is valuable in athletics.
Now the GB U20 world – who competed on the International Juniors in Colombia closing summer time – is taking part in the ‘long game’ once more as she objectives at some point throwing within the very absolute best ranges of athletics.
And the tale of her upward push to prominence on a scholarship at Princeton College is being advised in a excellent new brief documentary by way of Urbane Media for scottishathletics.
‘I grew up in Torry, Aberdeen in the North East of Scotland,’ mentioned Angela, within the video ‘From Torry to Princeton’ about her athletics adventure and shifting to the Ivy League school in New Jersey.
‘There are stereotypes about what Torry is like, it is a lower socio-economic place. I was desperate to get out and move somewhere else, because I just wanna see the world like there’s such a lot else in the market.
‘But I never in a million years thought I’d finally end up in The usa.’
Angela celebrates U17 medal luck in Scottish Champs again in 2022 in her house town of Aberdeen (picture by way of Bobby Gavin)
That’s what took place, on the other hand with parental strengthen from as Angela advanced as a tender thrower at Aberdeen AAC after which Scotland and GB and NI age team groups.
‘I started when I was about eight years old because my mum thought I had too much energy,’ she added.
‘I began hammer throwing in March and by way of August I used to be the British age team Champion as a result of I simply went out each day and practiced for a couple of hours.
‘I’ve had a just right upbringing, I wouldn’t say my oldsters have the most important source of revenue, however they paintings arduous to offer me a large number of alternatives, I’m very thankful for that. I by no means anticipated as a way to move to The usa, I by no means concept I used to be a just right sufficient athlete.
‘My dad told me not to get over-excited because I hadn’t were given my Upper grades again but, and I used to be slightly apprehensive about that. So, I simply concept, ‘this is really cool, I’d actually love it to figure out.’
‘I got my Higher grades back and it was five band one As and then I threw a five metre PB at Scottish Champs to my first Scottish gold. And I thought: ‘Oh WOW, maybe, maybe this will happen’.
Angela competing for GB Juniors on the Loughborough World in Might 2023 (picture by way of Bobby Gavin)
Inside a few weeks, Angela were invited for a recce seek advice from to Princeton and now she is there completely on an athletics scholarship.
‘Everyone’s actually great and I actually experience dwelling on a campus the place the whole thing is actually shut. I attempt to get all my categories scheduled for the morning so I’ve my afternoon unfastened for follow.
‘Typically, when we’re in season, we throw 5 occasions every week. We elevate 3 or 4 occasions every week, and after that, I’ll move have dinner with my pals, after which I’ll simply return to my room and I’ll both move paintings a library shift or I’ll do my homework.
‘When people think of a sports scholarship, their mind just goes to being a good athlete. But you also have to work tirelessly in school to get good grades because there’s nonetheless steep teachers requirements you’ve were given to satisfy as a way to move to The usa.
‘I’ve had implausible strengthen from my circle of relatives. They spend such a lot in their time doing issues to assist me get foot ahead in lifestyles. They labored arduous to take me competitions. They got here with me to South The usa in Peru to strengthen me for the International Junior Championships.’
Footage courtesy of Princeton College Monitor and Box
Fuelling the younger hammer thrower’s adventure is a power to be the most productive athlete she will also be. And Angela has no qualms about aiming prime.
‘I do this sport because I want to be the best at it,’ she said.
‘And, to me, luck sooner or later would imply, you recognize, going to International Champs and/or the Olympics.
‘I’ve had such a lot of different reports from game, I’ve made pals for lifestyles. Don’t be ashamed of aiming prime, as a result of I used to suppose it’d be foolish if I mentioned, ‘Oh, I want to be Scottish champion, I want to be British champion’ as a result of I simply felt I didn’t have what it takes. Even if I used to be operating actually arduous.
‘It simply takes time and also you simply need to stay pushing for what you need.
‘If you want to be champion, it might take ten years, but eventually you might get there. Even if it’s a small likelihood, simply stay going and check out. Have some trust in your self.’
Coaching arduous is an approach to life selection for such a lot of aspiring athletes however Angela thinks everybody and any person will have to believe how being energetic can receive advantages their psychological well being.
‘Whether you’re doing it for a aggressive reason why or for recreational, even though you don’t need to compete in a game, I feel it’s so just right in your psychological well being to stay are compatible or move to the gymnasium incessantly,’ mentioned Angela.
‘If you really want something you just have to keep pushing it. I never thought I would make it this far but I didn’t need to hand over.
‘If you’re fearful about entering game and frightened how other folks will see you, don’t concern about it. Persons are being concerned about themselves greater than they’re being concerned about you.
‘My advice is: make sure you’re satisfied and playing what you’re doing.’
For Angela McAuslan-Kelly that merely manner: elevate on throwing.
WATCH MORE FROM URBANE MEDIA:
OUR DOCUMENTARIES ON ZOEY CLARK AND JOANNA ROBERTSON
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