STUDENT TO TEACHER: THE CLUB DONCASTER SPORTS COLLEGE JOURNEY TOLD BY EMILY AND KYLE

Emily and Kyle both joined Club Doncaster Sports College in 2014 on the BTEC Level 3 Sports programme.

Kyle was a keen footballer and was an ever present figure in the academy team as a centre half, and Emily was very active in volunteering for the Sports College as well as being one of the pioneering student representatives.

They both completed their BTEC qualifications with high grades, giving them a number of options for their careers.

Emily and Kyle thoroughly enjoyed their learning experience at CDSC and decided to stay and choose the Sports College as their Higher Education provider during its first year of HE delivery.

Throughout their three years on the degree, Emily and Kyle excelled and both identified teaching as a desired career choice. On completing their degree, Sports College staff supported them in seeking a PGCE to begin their journey into teaching.

Emily and Kyle were interviewed for teacher training placements at the college and were both successful. Kyle worked predominantly on the Active IQ L2, supporting learners in the classroom and delivering some of the units, alongside taking one of the Men’s Development Academy teams for both training and games.

Emily immersed herself in the BTEC L3 curriculum, aiding learner development, whilst leading several academic discussions and delivering to Year 12 BTEC learners. She was also involved in the Academy structure, supporting Eric Randerson with Ladies Academy operations. They will both qualify as teachers at the end of June.

Kyle found out about the college ‘about six or seven years’ ago when he was at a Doncaster Rovers game.

“When I looked into it, the college had a good reputation and a record of progressing students into a career in sport”, Kyle explained. “I really enjoyed my time as a student and I feel that the experiences I’ve had at the college have contributed to my development as much as the lessons. I’ve been all the way through with the college now and I’m so happy to have nearly completed my PGCE.”

Emily also talks highly of the student experience at the college and the support it’s given her in becoming a qualified teacher.
She said:

“’My experience at the Sports College has been amazing. I joined the college from school as a 16 year old and will leave the college this year as a qualified teacher, it’s a pretty unique situation. The staff have supported me all the way through, that’s probably why I chose to do my degree at CDSC and apply for my teaching placement there. I’ve always had a passion for sport and becoming a qualified sports teacher after 6 years is a dream come true.”

Club Doncaster Sports College are still taking applications for 2020/21.

Their sports courses provide a direct pathway to university or a career in the sports industry.

Click here to apply in seconds; clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk/apply

U-TREK: STUDENTS AND STAFF SMASH VIRTUAL TOUR TRAVEL TARGET IN JUST ONE WEEK

Students and Staff at Club Doncaster Sports College have smashed their target of travelling 757km from the Eco-Power Stadium to the Stadion Galgenwaard, home of FC Utrecht, in just over one week.

Learners were invited to run, walk or cycle to contribute the virtual kilometers, and have done just that in all weather conditions ranging from 27 degree heat to driving rain and hail storms.

The annual European Tour for the College was postponed in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, but has since been transformed into a virtual equivalent.

Typically the students would travel through Europe to Utrecht where they would enjoy a weekend of football, but it was agreed that the College would attempt to make the trip by traveling the distance from home, with a competitive FIFA match to conclude the tour.

Ben Thompson, Deputy Principal at Club Doncaster Sports College, said: “We are very proud of the learner response to the U-Trek Virtual Tour, there was obvious disappointment that we had to cancel the tour due to Covid-19 but this has turned a negative into a huge positive.

“Setting the 757km goal has given learners something to aim for, alongside their studies and has encouraged learners to get on their bikes or put on their running shoes in a time which has been notoriously difficult to get motivated.

“The European Tour is one of our flagship events, so it only seemed right to honour it by making the trip, albeit virtually, and playing a game against our neighbours in Utrecht.”

Not only have the students achieved the target in such a short amount of time, they’ve also continued to donate their distances, even after reaching the 575km goal.

With the extra miles, the Sports College students could have travelled to games at FC De Bilt, FC Kampong, FC Odin, SV Loosdrecht and CSV Wilnis, all clubs the Sports College has an affinity with.

Top contributions were made from Toby Wilcox of the Men’s Academy with 92km, and Ellie Ball from Ladies Academy with 44km.

The college are now working with FC Utrecht Youth Team Coach, Robin Van Alfen to arrange the FIFA match which will be streamed live via Twitch.

The 2020 tour was set to be the college’s 5th annual European tour, with a total of 28 students.

Club Doncaster Sports College are still taking applications for 2020/21. 

Their sports courses provide a direct pathway to university or a career in the sports industry. 

Click here to apply in seconds; clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk/apply

Students at Club Doncaster Sports College have praised the coaching sessions that they received from Doncaster Rovers centre-back Tom Anderson before lockdown.

Anderson had been leading sessions with the CEFA (Sports College) football team, who compete in an EFL governed league as part of their post-16 education course.

Jamie Whitehouse, a college student who has been coached by Anderson, said: ‘Having Tom around the Academy has really given the lads a boost, there’s a great atmosphere around the team and a great bond, but Tom coming in has turned the intensity up even more.

“You can tell he’s a professional player, he seems really relaxed when he’s coaching and he has given some really good advice, especially for me as I play in defence”.

Club Doncaster College Academy Coordinator Steve Hernandez has applauded Anderson’s work ethic, as well as his role in helping develop some of the students.

He said: “It’s been great to have Tom in and around the college Academy set up and the students have really responded with his presence.

The annual European Tour for the Club Doncaster Sports College has been reinvigorated with an exciting virtual twist.

Their yearly trip, which typically sees them travel through Europe to Utrecht, Holland, to enjoy a weekend of football has been postponed in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, students and staff will now attempt to make the trip by running the equivalent distance of 757 km from the Eco-Power Stadium, all the way to the Stadion Galgenwaard, home of FC Utrecht. Students and staff participating with the virtual tour will be asked to submit distances that they’ve covered, whether it be from running, walking or cycling, which will then be tallied up into the Sports College grand total.

Ben Thompson, Deputy Principal at Club Doncaster Sports College, has praised the initiative during difficult times.

He said: “This is an exciting initiative which staff and students alike cannot wait to get involved in.

“The European Tour is one of our flagship events, so it only seemed right to honour it by making the trip, albeit virtually, and playing a game against our neighbours in Utrecht.

“We’re inviting all Club Doncaster Sports College learners to get involved and bank their kilometres so we can reach the magnificent Galgenwaard Stadium in Utrecht”.

Nominations will be made for ‘contribution of the day’ for people who have covered long distances or completed noteworthy achievements.

The 2020 tour was set to be the college’s 5th annual European tour, with a total of 28 students.

On completion of the challenge, an academy player will play a representative from Utrecht in an online game of FIFA, with the winner taking the U-Trek Trophy.

Regular updates will be given on the Sports College Facebook and Twitter pages.

Club Doncaster Sports College are still taking applications for 2020/21.

Their sports courses provide a direct pathway to university or a career in the sports industry.

Click here to apply in seconds; clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk/apply/

Club Doncaster Sports College women’s captain Chaneice Howson has expressed her delight at the team competing in the EFL Community and Education Alliance (CEFA) league for the first time.

Chaneice is studying the first year of her BA Hons Physical Education and Sports Coaching degree at the college, having started on a level three BTEC sport course in 2017.

A player from day one, Chaneice has seen the Women’s Academy at Club Doncaster Sports College go from strength to strength, gradually growing in numbers to a point where a squad was submitted for the CEFA league this season.

The CEFA League is a football competition professionally governed by the EFL and is eligible to both young men and women who are enrolled on a post-16 education course with their Club Community Organisations. 

Through the competition, students are able to achieve their education goals, whilst playing competitive football for their local club against teams representing Premier League and EFL Clubs across the country. 

Chaneice said: “When I first started at the college, I was a very shy character and I didn’t have much confidence. Being able to play for the academy enabled me to come out of my shell and be more confident on and off the pitch. 

“This year I was extremely grateful to be chosen as captain, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I really enjoyed seeing the team progressing collectively, and I also enjoyed watching people achieve individual success.” 

The central defender believes that the team has put in a performance to be proud of during their first EFL season, with the team currently occupying fifth place.

“We have experienced players, as well as girls that either play a different sport or they didn’t play football at all; so it hasn’t been easy for some of the girls, but they have been exceptional. 

Chaneice gave a special thanks to Academy Coach Eric Randerson, who she believes has ‘brought out the best’ in the group of players.

Eric commented: “Chaneice has always been at the forefront of supporting and developing women’s football at Club Doncaster Sports College. We now have a full squad of girls who attend regular training sessions and match days. 

He added: “Chaneice has proudly led the team by example and the squad have developed their game and show a great attitude on and off the pitch.

“It’s an exciting time for all involved and we’re looking forward to seeing the side progress in the future.”

For more details about Club Doncaster Sports College visit www.clubdoncastersportscollege.co.uk or send an email enquiry to education@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk. 

Tom Anderson has been passing on his knowledge to Rovers Academy players as he coaches them while working towards his UEFA B coaching licence.

The centre-back has been taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the Club Doncaster family, honing his coaching skills by training the CEFA (Sports College) football team and Rovers Academy U13s.

Anderson is not the first Rovers player to turn his hand to coaching, as he follows in the footsteps of former club captain Andy Butler who coaches the U14s alongside his role as Doncaster Rovers Belles manager.

Head of Rovers Academy Tony Cook said: “It’s a good coup for the U13s to have Tom Anderson helping with their coaching.Tom is an excellent centre-back and a promising coach, and the experience and knowledge that he can pass onto our young players is invaluable to their continued learning and progression.”

Club Doncaster Sports College Principal Adi Turnpenny believes the Community and Educational Football Alliance (CEFA) league is a great competition and a brilliant way to encourage young people into education.

Formed in 2018, the CEFA league is a football competition organised by the EFL which allows college students who are enrolled on a sporting course affiliated with their Club Community Organisation to participate. The league runs alongside the education programme and students represent the club that is associated with the college.

Rovers have three teams that compete in three of the twelve leagues ran by the EFL with fixtures being played every Wednesday afternoon. The teams represent Rovers on the pitch and they study a Level Three BTEC in sport at Club Doncaster Sports College during the rest of the week. Rovers excelled on the pitch throughout the 2018/19 season with one of their teams claiming the league title.

“The CEFA competition supports the great initiatives that the clubs run, in our case here at Doncaster it’s an education programme and further education courses for 16-18 year-olds,” Turnpenny said.

“It’s been excellent in supporting the educational courses we run, in offering students unique opportunities to experience alongside their studies. Obviously qualifications are the most important part of the education courses, but there’s nothing wrong with applying what you learn in the classroom out in a practical environment on a football pitch.”

Club Doncaster Sports College student Wade Robson was a part of the team that won the league last season and he says he appreciates the unique chances that studying a BTEC with the Sports College gives him.

“Studying at Club Doncaster means having an opportunity to play football. It’s a bit of a reward system – if you do well in the classroom, you get the chance to play in this league and represent Doncaster Rovers,” he said.

“My view is that it’s a real privilege. In the CEFA league we get to play on the best pitches, wear the club badge, it gives you a bit more experience and shows you what it’s like to be a professional.

“The CEFA league is a real motivation in the classroom, because you know that if you let the college tutors down it will get back to your coach and you’ll be taken off the team – not because you’re not good enough, but because to play you have to be performing in the classroom.”

Club Doncaster Sports College are holding open events on January 23, February 27, and March 26 at the Eco-Power Stadium so you can come along and see if studying with us is the best option for you.

Students at Club Doncaster Sports College were treated to a visit from Doncaster Rovers player Matty Blair.

Having already seen James Coppinger and Alfie May pop into the Sports College back in September, the students were given more exposure to the Rovers’ first team in the shape of Matty Blair.

With the new academic year in full swing, students at the Sports College took part in a Q&A session with the Rovers star, learning all about the day-to-day routines of being a professional footballer.

Blair, who is in his fourth season at the club, highlighted some of the best moments in his career to the students, including playing against Premier League side Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Warwick-born footballer, who opened up to the College students about growing up as a footballer, spoke in lengths about his inspirations. He said:

“I have a lot to thank my dad and brother for.

“They really did look after me. Whatever I decided to do, they supported me and made me the man I am today. It wasn’t just in football that they guided me with, it was all aspects of life.”

Blair has once again been chosen as a Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) ambassador for Club Doncaster Foundation in 2019/20, continuing his involvement in community projects like Fit Rovers.

The current EFL League One Community Player of the Year named teammate Coppinger as his favourite footballer, stating how his commitment and dedication to the sport is a credit to the midfielder.

He said:

“A lot of people say Messi and Ronaldo, but on a personal level for me, Coppinger is one of my favourite players.

“I’ve had the pleasure to play with him since I joined Doncaster and he is just next level.”

Blair will be working closely with health project Fit Rovers again throughout 2019/20 but has expressed a desire to have a larger part in the education set up, helping expose the Sports College when he can.

The winger, who is currently on the side-line with an injury, was quick to praise the college. He said:

“It’s always a pleasure to visit the college.

“The staff do a fantastic job and have done great things for education in Doncaster.”