School leavers are being offered the chance to take the first steps towards a career in sports coaching with Sunderland College and Durham County FA.
The college’s new Coaching Academy, which starts in September, offers a combination of qualifications alongside industry experience to give students the skills and knowledge they need to progress straight into the sports industry or on to higher education.
Over the two-year course, based at Sunderland College’s state-of-the-art Sports Academy at Bede Campus, they will gain additional coaching qualifications including safeguarding and first aid, as well as take part in workshops, masterclasses and placements with some of the country’s leading coaches, sports clubs and organisations.
Sean Ward, Sports and Public Services Curriculum Manager, said: “Our successful partnership with Durham FA presents young people with aspirations of becoming a sports coach with a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry specialists, develop their coaching skills and identify their pathway into a life-long career.
“The two-year course will give students the tools required to be successful and be catered around the sports industry’s requirements.”
John Topping, Durham County FA’s Company Secretary, added: “Durham County FA is delighted to continue its partnership with Sunderland College by helping to launch a niche Coaching Academy for students who aspire to follow a career in coaching.
“Our UEFA A Licence Coach Developer, alongside the outstanding college lecturers, will offer a unique, challenging and exciting course that will be enhanced with additional, bespoke learning opportunities and work experience.
“We believe this prestigious course will provide the perfect platform for students to boost their academic aspirations and future employability.”
Sunderland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
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Students are celebrating outstanding results after receiving their A-Level, T Level and technical qualifications results
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98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
