News & Events

Higher Education Takeover Day Inspires Year 13 Learners at Club Doncaster Sports College

University Campus Doncaster delivered their annual Higher Education Takeover Day for Year 13 BTEC Level 3 learners last week, showcasing the outstanding facilities and opportunities available at the High Performance Centre (HPC). The partnership between the Sports College and University Campus Doncaster allows pathways for students looking to study degrees in sport and has seen Club Doncaster Sports College and University Campus Doncaster combine expertise to deliver specialist sports degrees in a ‘live sporting environment’.

Students took part in a range of practical performance activities, including fitness assessments, strength testing, and reaction time challenges, giving them a real insight into how university level sport science and coaching programmes utilise cutting edge equipment to enhance athlete development.

Throughout the day, learners also heard from Head Lecturers Josh Wroot and Mark Ellames, who provided an engaging overview of what it’s like to study as an undergraduate at University Campus Doncaster. They discussed course expectations, academic support, placement opportunities, and the vibrant student experience that awaits those progressing into higher education.

Programme leader for Sport Health & Exercise Science, Josh Wroot commented, ‘The takeover days are a great way for us to give the students a taste of life at University Campus Doncaster. It gives the students an opportunity to talk to lecturers and our current students to really help them decide on their future studies’.

The event aimed to support students in planning their next steps while offering a first hand look at the professional level environment available within the HPC. The hands-on sessions and expert guidance were extremely well received by learners, many of whom left feeling motivated and informed about continuing their studies in sport.

Club Doncaster Sports College would like to thank the UC Don staff for an inspiring and informative takeover day that highlighted the exciting pathways available for our aspiring professionals.

To apply or find out more details about Club Doncaster Sports College, visit www.clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk or call 01302 764663.

Premier League & FIFA Referee Darren England Inspires Club Doncaster Sports College Students

Club Doncaster Sports College was proud to welcome Premier League and FIFA referee Darren England to the Eco-Power Stadium this week, where he spent time speaking with our students about his remarkable journey to the top of the professional game.

Darren, who has officiated on some of the biggest stages in European and domestic football, offered a rare and insightful look into the realities of life as an elite referee. He shared stories from his early days in grassroots football, the dedication required to reach Premier League level, and the unique highs and challenges that come with making key decisions under pressure in front of thousands of fans.

Students were given the opportunity to hear first-hand about the mindset, preparation, and professionalism needed to succeed at the highest level. Darren spoke openly about the responsibility of managing the game, the importance of resilience, and how every experience, positive or difficult, has shaped his career.

Beyond his on-pitch experiences, Darren also encouraged students to consider the huge variety of pathways available within football. Whether pursuing roles in coaching, analysis, sports science, officiating, media, or club operations, he stressed that the sport offers opportunities for everyone with the passion and drive to persevere.

Assistant Principal, Ben Thompson said:
“We’re extremely grateful to Darren for giving up his time to speak with our students. Hearing from someone operating at the very top of the game is incredibly motivating, and the insights he shared will support our learners as they develop their own aspirations within sport.”

We’d like to thank Darren once again for visiting Club Doncaster Sports College and helping inspire the next generation of football professionals—both on and off the pitch.

Club Doncaster Sports College recently received a generous donation of last seasons’ home and away kits from Doncaster Rovers Academy, ahead of the new academic year.

Alongside academic studies, students attending the Sports College have the opportunity to play competitive fixtures as part of the CEFA leagues (Community & Education Football Alliance) against other colleges and clubs from across the country.

Representing Doncaster Rovers in both the male and female categories, the donation of last seasons’ kit will ensure that all competing teams will be on brand ahead of the new season.

Speaking of receiving the kits, Assistant Principal, Ben Thompson said: “The Sports College are delighted to have been donated both the home and away playing kits from Greg Carroll & Paul Green, from the Academy.

“Our Football Academy team can represent the Sports College and Doncaster whilst being on brand for the new EFL CEFA season.

“It highlights the amazing relationship we have with the professional clubs within Club Doncaster.”

Paul Green, U18’s manager, spoke of the relationship between both the Academy and College, “We want to continue to support the Sports College and the students and continue to build on the fantastic relationship we have across both club and charity.

“There’s been a number of academy players who have studied with the Sports College alongside playing for the U18’s, so if we can continue to support the Sports College in a number of ways, with things like kit donations, alongside their support for us, it will benefit both of us in the long run.

“We wish them the best of luck for their new season ahead.”

Are you in Year 11 and want to study at the heart of professional sport? Get involved in the EFL CEFA league? Applications for 26/27 season are now open! Apply at clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk/apply/ or contact us on 01302 764663.

The Sports College are delighted to announce that applications are now open for 2026/27. Year 11 students can apply today.

Club Doncaster Sports College are delighted to announce a 100% pass rate across all sports qualifications this year.

112 students, aged 16-19, contributed to the results which capped another exceptional year for the Sports College based at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Many of the Level 3 BTEC Sports Coaching and Development graduates will continue their studies by progressing onto university with the College, studying specialist sports degrees at the stadium, in partnership with University Campus Doncaster.

All second-year Level 3 Health and Fitness students attained qualified Personal Trainer status as part of their courses.

Principal, Adi Turnpenny said “Once again, we are absolutely delighted with the results which reflect the hard work of all the students.

“It is another outstanding year for the College, of which, our incredible staff are extremely proud.”

“I’d like to wish all graduates the best of luck in the future, and we look forward to welcoming our new students and those returning to us in September.”

Alongside their studies, students have had some great experiences including: a trip to Whitby as part of the Elevate programme, educational visits to the Etihad Stadium and the National Football Museum in Manchester, as well as a day hosting their counterparts from Central Coast College, Australia.

Graduating student Oliver Adams said “”I’m delighted with my results and am grateful for the support the College has given me.

“They have helped me develop as a coach, including arranging a work placement with the Rovers Academy, which has led to employment with them.

“I am now moving on to the degree programme and I couldn’t be happier with the position I’m in.”
It caps a wonderful year for the Sports College who picked up a Community Award at UCDon’s graduation ceremony in October and won the Partnership of the Year Award for their work with UCDon at the Doncaster Business Awards in December.

Applications for academic year 26/27 will open in September.

Alongside all academic programmes, students have the opportunity to represent Doncaster Rovers FC and Doncaster Rovers Belles FC in approved EFL Leagues, gain experiences with the Dons RLFC, and enjoy a host of other sports.
To apply or find out more details about Club Doncaster Sports College, visit www.clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk or call 01302 764663.

Club Doncaster Sports College Student Council: A Year of Achievement and Impact

In a year defined by initiative, teamwork, and meaningful contributions, the Club Doncaster Sports College Student Council has achieved remarkable success both within the college and in the wider community.

One of their standout improvements was enhancing the student experience by upgrading the Common Room. Thanks to their efforts, the space now includes new equipment and a club-standard darts setup, offering students an opportunity to play one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

The Council played a key role in planning and improving three major CDSC events: the Christmas Cup, the annual Varsity, and the Form Cup. Their input helped ensure each event was inclusive, competitive, and engaging for all involved.

Club Doncaster Sports College run a minimum of one academic trip each year, the Student Council took the lead in selecting two exciting and educational trips—to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the National Football Museum. These outings offered students the chance to explore the history, business, and culture behind football and linked into their vocational curriculum.

At the 2025 Varsity tuck shop, they raised £150, which will go directly back into future Student Council projects. Over Christmas, members of the Student Council coordinated a food collection for the Doncaster Foodbank, their chosen charity for 2024. This was supported further by a Christmas Jumper Day which raised £50, all of which was used to buy even more essential supplies for Doncaster Foodbank.

Topping off another excellent year, the Student Council helped the Foundation earn top marks from Doncaster Council during a meeting to assess its ‘Child Friendly Status’. Inspectors were impressed, particularly by the professionalism and engagement of the students involved in the Student Council.

Tutor and Student Council coordinator, Kyle Croft said, ‘Overall, this has been a fantastic year for the Student Council in terms of impact and engagement within the Sports College. The Student Council allows the learners to have a voice and make decisions which directly improve their learning experience as a student at Club Doncaster Sports College.’

On July 4th, staff and students came together for the annual Sports College graduation evening at the Eco-Power Stadium, to celebrate another incredible academic year. They celebrated the end of the 2024/25 academic year with a 2 course meal, a look back on the achievements from the year and concluded with an awards ceremony and live music from local band, Whats’erface, whose line-up features two Sports College students.

First up on the awards ceremony, were the awards for the player of the season within the academy teams. Matthew Dunn won the Development Squad Academy player of the season, with Nathan Lee being named CDSC Men’s Academy player of the season for the first team.

Ruby Burke obtained the Women’s Academy player of the season, with Connor Pollard-Logan receiving the player of the season for the Men’s Academy second team.

Awards were also given out for student of the year for each form group and both English and Maths qualifications. Take a look at the list of winners below:

Student of the Year Awards:

Year 12 Level 2 (Kyle’s Form) – Bailey-Rae Woolley

Year 13 Level 2 (Will’s Form) – Josh McLean

GCSE English – Kian Lewis-Derbyshire

GCSE Maths – Caden Hadley

Year 13 Level 3 (Courtney’s Form) – Lewis Potter

Year 13 Level 3 (Emma’s Form) – Lauren Carr

Year 12 Level 3 (Joe’s Form) – Nathan Lee

Year 12 Level 3 (Emily’s Form) – Faith Kelliher

Year 12 Level 3 (Dave’s Form) – Emily Wilton

Whitby Tour Men’s Outstanding performance – Jamie Stead

Whitby Tour Women’s Outstanding performance – Megan Irving

Commitment to excellence award Men’s – Alistair Breckell

Commitment to excellence award Women’s – Lauren Carr

Alongside the academic learning, students enjoyed a range of experiences and trips throughout the year. From educational stadium tours at Manchester City’s Etihad Museum and the National Football Museum, a fantastic resident to inspirational talks from Doncaster Rovers players & management and annual football events such as Varsity, Form Cup and Christmas Cup.

Sports College Assistant Principal, Ben Thompson, spoke about the academic year, saying: “As staff, we are very proud of our learners and their achievements throughout this academic year.

“The learners have been exemplary when they have represented the Sports College, both on and off the pitch and we hope that their experiences as well as their academic achievements will set them in good stead.

“The Sports Dinner and Awards evening is always a great opportunity for the students to reflect on a year of hard work and development and allows us to honour their achievements.”

Applications for the Sports College are still open for the 2025/26 academic year, however, the Sports College is employing a reserve list. Applications for the 2026/27 academic year will be opening up later on this year. Keep an eye out on our social media channels for the announcement.

If you want to take a look at the courses that are on offer at the Sports College and take a look at the prospectus, you can visit www.clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk.

On May 21st, Club Doncaster Sports College hosted partners DN Colleges Group (Doncaster College and North Lindsey College) for the annual Varsity challenge at the Eco Power Stadium in glorious sunshine.

The annual Varsity comprises men’s and women’s matches between the two colleges, as well as a Club Doncaster Sports College in-house game. The event gave over 100 sports students the opportunity to ‘play on the pitch’ at the home of League 2 champions, Doncaster Rovers FC.

Game 1 – Ladies Varsity

Club Doncaster Sports College Ladies arrived at the Eco-Power Stadium as current Varsity champions and looking for back to back victories over DN Colleges’ Ladies Academy. The game started at a frantic pace with the Sports College employing a high pressing style to stifle their opponents. The scoring got underway when Ruby Burke found herself in space to fire the Sports College into the lead, this was the first of a brace for the free-scoring second year, in her final game in red and white. An encouraging theme of the scoring for CDSC was the fact the rest of the scorers were first year students who are hoping to be back competing in 2026.

The turning point in the fixture after a tight first half and an audacious goal from the DN Colleges captain came when Gracie Lucas, a winger who was unlucky not to be on the scoresheet, scored a quickfire hattrick to pull away from the DN Colleges. A highlight of the second half for the Sports College was the introduction of Faith Kelliher, a Year 12 student who has missed the whole season through injury; Faith recieved a rousing ovation when taking the field for her Varsity debut. Despite another special finish from the DN Colleges skipper and the heroics from keeper Sophia Lewis, the Sports College Ladies did enough to reclaim the title in a 9:2 victory.

Game 2 – Men’s Varsity

Club Doncaster Sports College Men’s 1st XI came into the Varsity game against DN Colleges with a perfect record of 6 wins out of 6, but knew they would face a stern test against a talented and experienced DN Colleges side which was a mixture of Doncaster College and North Lindsey College students. After a cagey opening, the Sports College emerged with the better chances, hitting the frame of the DN Colleges goal no fewer than 3 times in the first period alone. Despite the Sports College territorial advantage and better quality opportunities in front of goal, the first half ended goalless.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first half in terms of territory, however, a quick flowing move from DN Colleges saw a chance present itself on the corner of the CDSC box and a finely struck effort nestled into the corner of Jamie Stead’s net to open the scoring. Again, an attack by DN Colleges against the run of play drew a penalty, conceded by captain, Ali Breckell. In such a tightly contested game, a second goal would surely hand the title to DN Colleges for the first time, however, a magnificent diving save by Stead kept CDSC in the game and after that, the action was all in front of the South Stand and the DN Colleges’ net. With the clock ticking onto 90 minutes, the Sports College still trailed and it seemed like that’s how the game would end, until first year student Nathan Lee popped up with a timely equaliser at the death to take the game to penalties.

A moment in history for Men’s Varsity, which had never required the drama of penalties on the previous 6 occasions. Sports College captain, Ali Breckell won the toss and elected to go first in front of the South Stand; Ben Mullins, in his final game for the Sports College dispatched the penalty with aplomb to give CDSC the advantage. Jamie Stead, made himself a hero again with penalty saves against Gruia and Taylor, sandwiched in between a miss from CDSC skipper Breckell and goals from Kirk (CDSC) and Hawkins (DNC). Successful penalties from Crowder and Crompton cancelled each other out and at 3:2, Wilfey Woodham had the chance to win it for the Sports College, however, he saw his penalty brilliantly saved by Silverwood. Shipov stepped up, knowing that a goal would take it to sudden death, but Stead correctly went left and was equal to the penalty, making it 4 penalty saves in one game and the Sports College retained their crown for another year.

Game 3 – Inter-Sports College Varsity

Two squads of 18 Sports College students faced off against each other in a bid to claim the Patrick Queen Trophy. In a game played in a fantastic spirit, the Reds went ahead through Harrison Shikell, who showed composure to slot in from the edge of the area. After the goal, the game ebbed and flowed with the Greens taking the initiative with a succession of corners and front line pressure. Goals change the narrative of games and team talks, and so transpired as Bobby-Joe Machin scored to double the Reds’ lead on the stroke of half time.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with much attacking intent from CDSC Reds, and despite the heroics from Irvine in the Greens’ goal, the game got away from them. Shikell added to his first goal to claim a brace and Machin scored twice to achieve a Varsity hattrick. Johnson chipped in with a goal to cap off a fine display from the Reds, who ran out 6:0 winners.

Adi Turnpenny, Principal of Club Doncaster Sports College, said: ‘This year’s Varsity gave the students a unique opportunity to play on the Eco-Power Stadium pitch and experience the facilities at the home of the League Two champions.’ He added, ‘It was also a chance to celebrate the fantastic partnership between Club Doncaster Sports College and DN Colleges’.

Club Doncaster Sports College Principal Adi Turnpenny and Vice Principal Jenna Scully were honoured to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party today hosted by His Majesty The King.
Buckingham Palace Garden Parties are held each summer to recognise and thank individuals for their contributions to their communities.

The King and other members of the Royal Family were present, and it was a unique privilege to enjoy a relaxed afternoon, meet members of the Royal Family, and explore the Palace grounds.
Adi said ‘It was an incredible honour to be nominated for, and attend, this prestigious event. We are so proud that the work and impact of Club Doncaster Sports College has been rewarded in this way.
‘This recognition is on behalf of all the amazing staff who have made the College what it is today and our students, both past and present, who are fantastic ambassadors of the Sports College.’
‘We would like to thank all at Club Doncaster and our partners at DN Colleges for their continued support of our work.’

Jenna said ‘When we started work on the education arm of Club Doncaster Foundation in 2008, we wanted to provide courses and experiences that would have a positive impact on the young people of Doncaster.

‘Fast forward seventeen years and to have grown to a position where we offer further and higher education courses to over 200 students a year in our own purpose-built Sports College is testament to the hard work of everyone involved. The most pleasing aspect is that we have maintained the same values we started with along the way.’

Club Doncaster Foundation Chief Executive, John Davis added, ‘It is an immense privilege for us to be recognised for our educational work across the Doncaster community and it’s a reflection of how far our education team have come since the College’s inception.

Adi and Jenna were a part of the team that started our education offer and it is fitting to see them represent our Foundation at this prestigious event.’

It caps a remarkable academic year for Club Doncaster Sports College where they were presented with the Community Award at the University Campus Doncaster Graduation Ceremony and won the Partnership of the Year Award at the Doncaster Business Awards.

For more details about the Sports College please go to www.clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk.