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.

SPORTS COLLEGE ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY LAUNCHED AS VIRTUAL EVENT

Club Doncaster Sports College students will still be able to enjoy an annual awards ceremony this year, after it was launched with a new virtual format.

The ceremony will now be hosted on Facebook, and includes a series of videos that will be released from Monday through to Friday.

The videos will be presented by college deputy principal Ben Thompson, and lecturer Mark Ellames, who’ll be joined by some special guests throughout the week as the winners of each award are revealed.

Mark said: “The students have worked hard throughout the academic year, and their efforts through the coronavirus pandemic deserve a great amount of credit.

“The awards ceremony is usually a key date in the diary. Hopefully the students can still enjoy part of that, albeit from a new virtual perspective.

We’re looking forward to announcing the winners throughout the week and would like to thank our special guests for getting involved and making the event that bit more special.”

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.