We look forward to working with you and your family Matthew!
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Welcome to FirstPointUSA - Matthew Isola!
3 min read
We'd like to welcome Matthew Isola to FirstPointUSA. Matthew is a rugby player who lives in Gibraltar. Matthew took some time out of his study and training to discuss his thoughts on life as a student athlete in America.
I was born in Gibraltar and have lived here all my life. Rugby has been a very big part of my life since the age of 5 where I started playing with the Marbella Rugby Club in Southern Spain. I played there for several years and then continued playing at Boarding School from year 7. At Stonyhurst College in Lancashire I played for the 1st XV in ever year and started playing for the College 1st team for three years from the the age of 16. At 16 I was also selected to play for the Lancashire County U 17's and the following year was selected to play for the U 18's. During my final year I was invited to attend a trial with the Sale Sharks rugby club academy but was unable to attend training sessions due to school commitments. In November 2015 I was selected to tour with the Gibraltar National Squad and played part of the game versus Malaysia and started the match versus Singapore. I was the youngest member of the team and was awarded man of the match by the Singapore Rugby team.
I went to a private Catholic school called Loreto Convent here in Gibraltar until year 6. From year 7 I went on to Stonyhurst College in Lancashire until June this year.
I heard about this possibility with FirstPointUSA through a friend who is already at a University in USA and did not hesitate for a second to apply. The thought of going to study and work on my favourite sport in the USA excites me enormously and I feel I am ready for the challenge. I have heard about the fast growing popularity of Rugby there and am convinced my standard and fitness of play will be taken to another level there. I have had lengthy discussions with my Father about this opportunity and agree that furthering my education in the USA will be the best preparation I could have to pursue my professional ambitions on the field.
The thought of representing my University as a student athlete must be what I would most look forward to achieving. Being in a campus environment with the best facilities and surrounded by other athletes all sharing similar objectives is another huge attraction for me.
