CITY of Plymouth hurdler Adam Dingley has two major goals for this summer – to try and earn international honours at under-20 level and try to raise enough money to fund another year of studying and training in America.

Dingley, who medalled at last year’s English Schools’ Championships, has just completed a one-year scholarship at a community college in Iowa.

He felt that as a sprint hurdler, training and studying in America would give him the best chance of achieving his long-term goal of becoming an Olympian.

The youngster has enjoyed his experience in the US, but, unfortunately, he does not have a scholarship to complete the final 12 months of his two-year course.

And he needs the qualification to be eligible for one of the bigger universities, who do offer scholarships.

“Last year, I was incredibly fortunate to earn a full scholarship to study and compete at a US college in Iowa,” said Dingley, who was on the England Athletics Youth Training programme.

“It was an amazing opportunity that allowed me to develop as both a student and an athlete, competing at a high level while working towards my future.

“Competing in the US gave me access to incredible coaching, facilities and opportunities that I’ve worked so hard for, and I would be devastated if I could not return in August 2026 for the start of the new academic year.

“Unfortunately, for my second year, I no longer have full financial support and now need to cover my education and living costs myself in order to return to the US and continue my degree and athletics journey.

“The fees for college for the next year is $17,000 (around £12,500). On top of that, I also need to cover my flights out, and set up my room with furniture and accessories.

“I cannot fund the college fees alone and my mum cannot cover all these costs herself either, despite working full time.”

Dingley cannot get a UK student loan to study in America and so has set up a GoFundMe page in the hope that he might be able to raise the funds.

Like most of Britain’s top young sprint hurdlers, he does feel that America offers him the best chance to progress.

“It was good having a life just dedicated towards track,” he said about his first year in the US. “I got a taste of what the future could be and what that pro life feels like.

“I was also able to study alongside the track and try to get some qualification that could help me in the future.

“However, I do need to finish my course as it is a two-year one and I’ve only done one year.

“Hopefully, I can complete my two years and then go to a D1 university.

“Colleges at that level bring in other coaches from bigger unis so you have got chance to get noticed. I think you do get noticed easier.”

He added: “My future goal is to represent GB and go to the Olympics and Worlds – and try and get a medal – that’s the ultimate, ultimate goal.

“But this process and journey just helps you get on.

“In the US there is more of a journey. Universities over there are just so much more passionate about track and in the collegiate system there is more competition.”

However, as well as trying to raise money to complete his course, Dingley is also hoping to make his mark on the track this summer while back in the UK.

He has been struggling with a minor injury, but he does have his eye on the British under-20 trials and trying to secure a place in the national team for the World Under-20 Championships.

As he has been in America, Dingley has spent a whole year training over the senior men’s hurdles height and so he is now back training over the under-20 height ahead of the trials.

Despite still being under-20, Dingley was ranked in the top 20 senior UK men over the 60m hurdles this season.

“I am still under-20, but this year is a bit confusing as I have only been training over senior height so I’ve gone up to go back down,” he said.

“But, hopefully, I can try and make the under-20 team this year and then concentrate fully on senior level.”

Dingley’s GoFundMe page can be found HERE.