Stu's half-time roundup

We are approaching the half-way point of the academic year and the College sports season…

On the pitch we have the Women’s Football Team at the top of their elite league, with only three games to go. The Men’s 1^st Team sit third in their league with a game in hand, also with only three games to go.

This year it is the top two teams in each of the eight nationwide leagues who will progress to the playoffs. Fingers crossed. Three more wins for both teams, will see us progress as one of the best 16 teams in men’s and women’s football in England.

We mentioned before Christmas about students in the final phases of England Colleges trials and we are both delighted and proud that Hannah Langford has again been selected for the England College Women’s Football Team. Hannah will be going on an international tour to Italy to play against other international teams.

We are also delighted to confirm that we were successful with our TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) application and following a site visit we are now accredited to support talented student athletes from any sport, on any York College study program.

Any student who is competing at a regional level or above will be able to access the full support and assistance with managing their education as well as maintaining their intensive training and competition calendar.

Our students who put their names forward for the refereeing hub have now completed their training and become qualified referees following an evening and a full-day’s training at the Middlesborough Foundation Centre and the North Riding FA.

York College has also hosted the Regional School County Cup tournaments for basketball and football. York College sports students assisted, coached and officiated the tournaments and ensured that the competitions could go ahead.

A selection of our sports students have been selected to go to Valencia on a multi-sport coaching project. Students will leave in March for two weeks and will participate in coaching and coached sessions in tennis, basketball and football.

Students will also coach local grassroots clubs as well as undertaking Spanish lessons, coaching disability groups and participating in their BTEC equivalent course but with peer tutoring by Spanish college students.

Finally, we have put forward a number of nominations for the 2023 York Sports Awards. Last year we had two student finalists and one winner and this year we hope to once again, have finalists from the College in this prestigious York regional sports awards ceremony. The event will be held at York Racecourse on Thursday 24^th April and we will update you on any college student finalists.