‘It’s a great example of how our projects can go full circle’: Former Student and Foundation Coach Josh recognised during Premier League Charitable Fund 10 Year Awards

By Tom Hammersley24th November 2020

Former CDSC student and Foundation Community Coach Josh Bucknall has won the Foundation’s PL Kicks award during the Premier League Charitable Fund 10 year anniversary celebrations following his fantastic work in the community. 

Josh began his journey with PL Kicks as a participant, regularly attending sessions at Edlington before going on to study at Club Doncaster Sports College. 

Upon graduating from the College, Josh joined the Foundation as an apprentice coach, where he supported the Kicks sessions that he once attended. 

Now a full-time coach, Josh leads our Kicks community sessions across the region. 

“My journey started at Kicks then went to Club Doncaster Sports College, after that, I gained an apprenticeship, and I am now a full time Community Coach”, explained Josh.

“Club Doncaster Foundation has supposed me in many ways to help me have a career in sport. I love what I do for a living.”

Mark Cooper, Sport Development Officer at the Foundation, added: “I’ve seen Josh go from a Kicks participant to a full time community coach. 

“It really is a great example of the work that the projects do in the community, and how it can go full circle. 

“He’s a key member of the team and he works hard to make sure that each session is engaging and enjoyable.”

This week, the Premier League Charitable Fund is celebrating 10 years of making a difference and helping communities thrive.

‘Young people supporting their community’

3rd November 2020J Burton

‘IT’S FANTASTIC TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE SUPPORTING THEIR COMMUNITY DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME’

 

A group of NCS participants from Club Doncaster Sports College have giving a helping hand at Sandall Park as part of the NCS Autumn ‘Moving Forwards’ Programme. For two out of their four days on the social action project, a group of 11 students helped out the Friends of Sandall Park by repairing benches, creating hedgehog habitats, and cleaning footpaths and signposts.

Callum Grice, Wave Leader of the NCS programme, said: “It’s fantastic to see young people supporting and helping their community during this challenging time.

“We would like to thank Friends of Sandall Park for partnering with us and allowing our young people to come and help out with this project. Hopefully this will motivate the young people to carry on helping their local community and inspire others to help their communities during this time.”

The students were governed by strict social distancing measures throughout the two days at the park, as well as the rest of the wider NCS programme.

Sandra Crabtree, Chair of Friends Of Sandall Park, said: “The students have done an amazing amount of work in the two days they spent in the park.

“It was a pleasure to work with them: committed, hardworking, they were all there earlier than requested and didn’t even want a full dinner break, they were so keen were they to get on with the jobs.

“The team dynamics were excellent and it showed in the way they performed the tasks. A sense of responsibility was displayed in relation to Covid restrictions, and all had masks at the ready.”

“The young men all showed professionalism and were a credit to Club Doncaster Foundation, and to their parents. Thank you for choosing Sandall Park to volunteer.”

You can find out more about NCS, here.

STUDENTS LEND HELPING HAND AT TOLL BAR RLFC

30th October 2020J Burton

‘IT’S A CLUB WE’VE GOT GREAT CONNECTIONS WITH, SO WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO HELP OUT WHERE WE CAN’: CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE STUDENTS LEND HELPING HAND AT TOLL BAR RLFC

Club Doncaster Sports College students have been spending some time at Toll Bar RLFC as part of a social action project for their recent NCS placement.

Toll Bar RLFC is the home ground for the RL Academy at the Sports College, and learners were keen to give something back to an organisation which has supported many CDSC students, and allowed them to represent the College in Rugby League.

The students tidied up areas around the pitch, painted the club house and even made improvements to the car park.

“It’s a club we’ve got great connections with, so we’re always looking to help out where we can”, explained college principal Adi Turnpenny.

“Our students were really keen to get across there. It’s a difficult time for everyone and they’ve been looking at ways they can support our local sports clubs and communities.”

This social action programme coincides with several activities the Sports College are involved in to engage with local Rugby League organisations ahead of the RLWC 2021.

You can find out more about Club Doncaster Sports College, here.

‘If you want a career in sport, there’s no better place to look’: Dons rugby player Ben Howe on his experiences at Club Doncaster Sports College

By Tom Hammersley29th October 2020

Club Doncaster Sports College student and Dons Rugby player Ben Howe revealed that there’s ‘no better place to look’ than Club Doncaster Sports College in a recent interview with College Deputy Principal Ben Thompson.

Howe, who studied at the college for two years and captained the Rugby League academy before moving onto the College’s degree programme, has just signed his second pro deal with the Dons following an impressive try against Wakefield and his exemplary attitude in training.

“The College’s link with the dons gave me the opportunity and I was lucky enough to get a contract out of it”, Howe explained.

“It’s such a good environment to learn in, if you want a career in sport, there’s no better place to look. If you’re going to go down the A-level route it’s hard to specialise, but if you come here, it’s sport and sport only.

“If you know that’s what you want to do there’s no better place to come and do it. It’s specialist, its sport and its practical, you cover it all. The teachers are focussed and you want to learn, it would be a no brainer.”

Ben also discussed his excitement for the Rugby League World Cup 2021, which is coming to Doncaster this time next year.

“It’s huge for not only the country but for Doncaster, to have three games at the Eco-Power Stadium is a massive opportunity to push the sport in the area.

“In terms of the tournament, you’ve got your big teams, England, Australia, New Zealand, so it’s hard to predict. It’s going to be a good tournament. Hopefully by then we’ll have fans through the door.”

Find out more about Club Doncaster Sports College, here.

COLLEGE STUDENTS GIVEN UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

23rd October 2020J Burton

Students at Club Doncaster Sports College have today been given the unique opportunity to try their hand at Rugby League, while simultaneously picking up a nationally recognised RL coaching award.

RFL Development Education Lead Adam Hughes and Rugby League Rugby League Legacy officer Martin Rowlands have joined forces to offer a free Level one Tag Rugby qualification, which will look great on a CV and will help any of our learners who are striving for a career in coaching.

The course was also attended and supported by Dons Half Back Ben Howe who shared his rugby skills and professional knowledge with the learners.

Martin Rowlands explained: “The Sports College have really got behind the Rugby League World Cup 2021 from the start and the students have loved trying out rugby league.

“The course is a stepping stone for a lot of these students and will give them the skills and knowledge to coach Tag Rugby once they leave the Sports College.

“Ironically, the course fell on the day it’s 365 days until the World Cup so it’s perfect preparation for the students to engage with the sport and it will hopefully increase acknowledgement of the RLWC2021 throughout the town”

Limited spaces are still available for THIS academic year at the college. Find out more, here. 

Careers Open Event

By J Burton16th October 2020

There’s no need to RSVP, just turn up on the night.

Date: Tuesday 27th October 2020

Time: 4:30 or 5:15pm (Please choose the time slot that suits you most)

Venue: Club Doncaster Sports College, Eco-Power Stadium, East Stand (Club Doncaster Sports College Entrance), Club Doncaster Sports Park, Stadium Way, Doncaster, DN4 5JW

CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE WELCOMES STUDENTS FOR 2020/21 ACADEMIC YEAR WITH NEW SET OF SAFETY MEASURES

By Tom Hammersley14th September 2020

Academic bubbles, temperature checks and hand sanitiser lanyards are just some of the new safety measures put in place by Club Doncaster Sports College ahead of the new academic year.

Students have been welcomed back to the college from week commencing 14 September, where they’ve been split into smaller groups, known as academic bubbles, with their desks spaced at a minimum of two meters apart.

Ben Thompson, deputy principal at the college, believes that the new measures will help keep students safe, while ensuring that the learning environment is as engaging as it was previously.

He explained: “All pupils will be allocated new learner bubbles, which are smaller academic groups of around 10 to 13 students.

“We’ll be taking temperatures on arrival, enforcing a new one-way system around the college, and ensuring that everyone has their own desk, laptop and surface wipes.

“We’re looking to run the courses as close to normal as possible, so that the students enjoy the same learning experience that we proudly provide year-on-year.

“There’s been a lot of work that’s gone into getting things right, but we’re very much looking forward to a return to delivery and welcoming our new and returning students.”

CDSC is the fastest growing college in South Yorkshire, operating from the East Stand of the Eco-Power Stadium.

The college’s connections with local sports clubs, such as Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster RLFC and the Doncaster Belles make for an unrivalled learning experience with a range of extra curricular activities.

Find out more about the college, here. 

100% QUALIFICATION PASS RATE

3rd September 2020J Burton

SPORTS COLLEGE STUDENTS ACHIEVE 100% PASS RATE ACROSS ALL SPORTS QUALIFICATIONS FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2019/20.

Club Doncaster Sports College students are celebrating another incredible year of success with a 100% pass rate across all sports qualifications for the academic year 2019/20.

A total of 117 further education students completed the academic sports courses based at the Eco-Power Stadium, Club Doncaster Sports Park, contributing to an achievement rate of 95.7%.

Principal, Adi Turnpenny commented: “After an unprecedented year, we have achieved some truly outstanding results.  This is testament to the hard work students have put in, in challenging circumstances.

“Our outstanding staff who support them have gone above and beyond this year, adapting and innovating to help students progress.

“It is another excellent year for Club Doncaster Sports College, and we are proud of the consistent level of quality we are delivering.

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

Student Jake Gregory who achieved D* D* D in his level 3 BTEC, said: “I’m delighted with my results and appreciate all the support I‘ve received over the two years from everyone at the College.

“Whilst at College, they helped me access my current volunteering role with the Doncaster Rovers Youth team working alongside their sports scientists, and it is this path I am looking to take at university.”

All first-year level 2 students who completed have attained qualified Gym Instructor status and all second-year students who completed their course have become accredited Personal Trainers.

Student Jay Glynn, now working as a Community Coach, said: “Club Doncaster Sports College has helped me reach my potential in sport.

“They’ve helped me through fun and enjoyable sessions throughout the year, the timetable is a good balance of theory and practical, I’ve loved it.”

Alongside the academic programmes, students have the opportunity to represent Doncaster Rovers and the Dons RLFC in EFL/RFL national college leagues, as well as experiencing a host of other sports.

In conjunction with partners Doncaster College, Club Doncaster Sports College also offer higher education, in the form of two sports degrees: BA Hons in Physical Education and Sports Coaching and BSc in Sports, Fitness and Exercise Science.

For more details about Club Doncaster Sports College visit www.clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk or call 01302 764663.

NEW STUDENTS ENJOY FOOTGOLF WELCOME DAY

By J Burton18th August 2020

NEW SPORTS COLLEGE STUDENTS ENJOY FOOTGOLF WELCOME DAY AHEAD OF 2020/21 ACADEMIC YEAR

Club Doncaster Sports College students who are enrolled to start their courses in September enjoyed an 18-round game of Doncaster Rovers-themed footgolf earlier this month.

The annual warm up event, which helps welcome new students to the college, had been adapted to comply with social distancing measures, and gave new students a chance to meet their peers and lecturers.

Craig Collins, lecturer at the college, believes the event helped settle many of the new students during challenging times.

He said: “’The warm up event is always really useful for new learners to build a bit of confidence prior to starting with the Sports College.

“We created a course that was both fun and challenging for the learners and we were really impressed with some of the technique on display”.

The footgolf course, which featured Doncaster Rovers-themed holes including the Donny Dogleg and Darren ‘Fore’, was enjoyed in small, socially distanced groups using sanitised balls.

Students were able to ask college staff any questions they may have ahead of starting their courses, and size up for their student hoodies.

There are limited places available for the college for 2020/21. Apply today.

JOB VACANCIES: SPORTS LECTURER (2 POSTS)

By Tom Hammersley14th August 2020

Two exciting opportunities have arisen to join the Club Doncaster Sports College team.

Club Doncaster Sports College is a further and higher education provider which delivers sports education to young people. The post holders will work with the further education team and students, aged 16-19.

The candidate will have responsibility to lead on all aspects of delivery and coordination of the full-time study programmes, teaching on the Active IQ Level 2 Diploma in Active Leisure, the Active IQ L2 Diploma in Health & Fitness and/or BTEC Sport L3. This will include planning, delivering, and assessing work, mentoring learners, and working with colleagues to ensure learners meet accredited outcomes whilst contributing to the continued development of Club Doncaster Sports College initiatives.

This role would suit recent graduates/NQTs as mentoring will be given.

Please be aware that a criminal disclosure and identity check will be carried out on the successful applicant prior to any offer of employment.

We are also committed to ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and we are an equal opportunities employer. We are keen to hear from all persons who feel that this would be the right role for them.

If you would like to apply for the role, please send a CV and covering email detailing your suitability for the post to; adi.turnpenny@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk

Applications will close at 12:00pm on the 24th August 2020, with interviews planned for the 28th August 2020.

View full job description here