****BBC LIVE FOOTAGE*** Commonwealth Champion McClenaghan returns to hero’s welcome

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18-year-old Rhys McClenaghan, gold medallist at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018.

After winning Northern Irelands first and only gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, Co Down champion and SERC sport student Rhys McClenaghan, has returned home to a hero’s welcome, along with Team Northern Ireland at a special homecoming ceremony which took place at The Dub, Queens.

Rhys’ tutor Lynda Robinson, SERC colleagues and classmates, were just some of the people awaiting the champions arrival. SERC fans wore their “SERC branded” T-shirts and hoodies, holding a large banner, which had a large image of Rhys as well as a welcome home message. Onlookers cheered and applauded the Champion as he beamed with pride as he mingled with fans and signed autographs. Rhys couldn’t hide his delight as he walked out of the coach and into the arms of family and friends waiting to greet him.

His sensational pommel horse performance saw him spin ahead of his sporting idol and the reigning Olympic champion, England's Max Whitlock, who finished with silver. Both scored 15.1 but the SERC student had a higher execution level. Rhys, who hails from Newtownards was one of only two gymnasts in the Northern Ireland squad along with coach Luke Carson from Rathgael Gymnastics Club in Bangor. Coach Luke is also a former SERC student.

SERC deputy Head of School for Applied Science and Sport Lynda Robinson said “Rhys has represented himself, his family and SERC excellently. What he has accomplished is an incredible personal achievement and this is only the beginning of a fabulous career for him! It is very hard not to burst with pride.

“To get to this stage has required a huge amount of dedication, focus and sacrifices. On behalf of SERC I would like to congratulate him on his remarkable achievement. SERC fresher’s can look up to how he has dealt with the fame and he is a fantastic role model for the College.”

SERC has a proud tradition of supporting student-athletes in their sporting and academic pursuits, including SERC former student Kevin Seaward finished an impressive fourth place at the Games in the Men's Marathon. In 2016 Bethany Firth won four medals — three gold and one silver — at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In 2012 student Chloe Brown got the once in a lifetime opportunity to accompany David Beckham and four other young sports people to attend the Olympic Flame Handover in Athens.

SERC affirmed their commitment to supporting their student-athletes a few years ago when rugby legend Stephen Ferris launched their Elite Athlete Programme, designed to provide aspiring elite athletes with the support they need to achieve both academic and sporting excellence.

Lynda said: “We know the commitment that is required to compete at a high level and we recognise that elite sporting activity can impact on a student-athlete's ability to reach their full academic potential.

“The programme has been set up specifically to support elite and emerging athletes in achieving academic success by supporting them with flexible study assistance during their studies and sporting endeavours. It's our vision that every student leaving SERC will be inspired to achieve both academic and sporting excellence."

Rhys began training in gymnastics at the young age of six and has developed this passion ever since, inspired by his dad and aunt. After his GCSEs, Rhys joined SERC to study a Level 3 Diploma in Sport. Rhys commented “the best thing about SERC is the flexibility around my training and competition programmes. There is a lot of support from my tutors who make sure I don’t fall behind”.

Applications are now open for courses starting in September. To apply visit apply.serc.ac.uk, visit www.serc.ac.uk or find us on Facebook, search: SERC. For more information about the Elite Athlete Programme visit SERC Sport on Facebook.