A pair of teenage science students are juggling their studies with a career in professional basketball, starring for Caledonia Gladiators as they compete across Europe.
Alix McIntosh, 18, and Kerry McGhee, 19, are the first two players to take up the Lanarkshire basketball franchise’s new scholarship scheme, which allows them to be full members of the professional women’s and men’s teams while they undertake their studies.
The teens are both in their first years at University of Strathclyde, with Alix studying pharmacy and Kerry doing forensic and analytical chemistry. Both believe they’re getting the best of both worlds, splitting their busy schedule between classes and training and playing with the East Kilbride-based side in domestic and European competition.
Kerry, of Milngavie, near Glasgow, said: “It’s been incredible to be able to do both. The dream has always been playing basketball at the highest level. I absolutely love the sport, but I didn’t want to sacrifice getting further education.
“You’ll never be a player forever, no matter how good you are, so maybe in ten years I’ll have the option to become a scientist.
“Caledonia Gladiators and University of Strathclyde have been amazing with me; they’ve been so accommodating to let me fit training and classes into my schedule.
“Forensics really interest me – and you can specialise in research and crime scene investigations so that’s something I want to spend more time on over the next four years.”
Former Prestwick Academy pupil Alix, who just turned 18, said her club have been “extremely supportive” of her education.
Alix, of Ayr, said: “In Scotland, scholarships like this one are pretty unheard of, so I feel very lucky to be a recipient.
“I’d love to pursue my career in pharmacy later on in my life, but after university, basketball is the dream.”
Alix started playing basketball at the age of six with her local club Ayr Storm. She was quickly noticed as a rising star in the sport and has been selected to play for the GB national team at youth level.
Standing at 5ft 10, Alix usually plays as shooting guard but is a versatile player due to her height.
Kerry has played the sport since her early teens and secured 5 As in her final year at Douglas Academy in Milngavie, which allowed her to pursue a career in science.
She took a gap year for the 2023-24 season, so she could be part of the Caledonia Gladiators’ high-performance programme in the club’s first year in its new multimillion pound arena at Playsport.
She is training as point guard, best suited to her 5ft 7 height, and recently made her European debut in the EuroCup against Elfic Fribourg, shortly after beginning her degree.
That programme lets both take part in daily individual and team practices, along with strength and conditioning input, as well as off court education aimed at allowing them to take the step towards being a professional player.
Kerry added: “The club designs the schedule around us. If we have lectures that clash with training, then we’ll get individual training. It’s a very good balance.
“The new arena is incredible. Previously if you wanted to play at the top level you had to go overseas, but there’s now a pathway here to play in Scotland, which is amazing. Scholarships like this are so important.
“The head coach Chantelle Handy is one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. It’s a really exciting time in the sport, and a real pleasure to be able to play a game I love, whilst also having that academic option I can go back on.”
Alix added: “It’s incredible to play with inspirational Scottish players like Hannah Robb, Robyn Lewis and Erin McGarrachan, women I’ve always admired and looked up to.
“There’s never been a dedicated venue for basketball like this before in Scotland and having a home has really helped build up a fanbase for the club.”
Head coach Chantelle Handy said: “We are all really proud of Alix and Kerry, who are excellent role models for our young fans. They are both working incredibly hard on and off the court to succeed in their studies while following their dream of becoming a professional basketball players.
“We’re delighted they are the first two players to receive our new scholarship, which allows players to study at top-class educational institutions like University of Strathclyde, whilst playing for Caledonia Gladiators in domestic and European competition.”
Neil Brown, Director of Sport and Active Health at Strathclyde, added: “The University’s Performance Sport Scholarship programme prides itself on supporting athletes in pursuing a dual career, and so it gives us great pleasure to see Alix and Kerry excelling on the European stage for Caledonia Gladiators whilst studying at Strathclyde.
“Likewise, we are grateful to the club for their flexibility and forward-thinking approach to supporting our students to balance their sporting and academic commitments.”
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