In the spotlight with... Sherry McCue

Sherry McCue, aged 17 from Market Drayton studies the Level3 BTEC Diploma in Sport Performance and Excellence at Newcastle-under-LymeCollege (NULC).

Sherry plays for Aston Villa and England U18’s teams and demonstrates huge potential in this area, aspiring to be a professional footballer. Sherry will also be representing her country at football this summer in the U19’s European Championships.

With a number of extra curricular commitments Sherry is busy both on and off the pitch: “When I go away on England duty, the staff at NULC are very supportive and give me extra support with my assignments, meaning I don’t fall behind with my course.” explains Sherry.

Shelly Brown, Curriculum Manager for Sport at NULC said: “Sherry works hard academically and achieves grades above her target.  This is difficult while playing the amount of football that Sherry does but she never fails to give 100% both on and off the pitch.”

Sherry is target to achieve the triple distinction star in her qualification and plans to pursue a career as a professional footballer.

To find out more about studying Sport at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk. 

NULC Celebration Event 2012

NULC hosted it's first Celebration Event on Wednesday 27 June.  The event brought together a wide range of learners from across the College in order to celebrate their achievements over the past academic year. 

Awards were given in 11 different categories which recognised academic achievement, personal achievement, services to the College and the community as well as sporting success. 

Award winners from NULC Sport department

Award winners from NULC Sport department (left to right). 

• Adam Whitmore - Services to the College
• Anthony Walton - Sport Lecturer and Adams tutor
• Shelley Brown - Curriculum Manager for Sport and Paige’ tutor
• Paige Machin - Young Achiever of the Year

Each award winner received a unique trophy designed by a team of learners from our art and design courses and was made on College premises in the Engineering department. Award winners were joined by parents and guests to celebrate their achievements.     

To see the full gallery of images from the day visit our Facebook Page here.

VQ Day Celebrations with Ami Pickerill

 

Ami Pickerill, aged 18, from Alsager studies the Level 3Diploma in Sport Exercise and Science at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC).

Ami is a highly capable student who has made excellent progress throughout the course, gaining impressive grades in every unit on the course.  Ami reflects on her time at NULC: “I chose to come to NULC because of the great reputation for the Academy of Sport.  I was able to study sport and play sport at a competitive level.”

Ami continues: “I like how the atmosphere is more relaxed at College than school and you’re treated like an adult by staff.  The staff are also really supportive allowing you the freedom to develop as a player. ”

“I’m also a member of the Colleges Elite Sports Programme, which means the college has helped me financially the cost of kit, travel and training.  The staff have always been really supportive when it comes to playing sport both for the college and outside of the college, meaning I’ve never fallen behind with my studies.”

Shelly Brown, Curriculum Manager for Sport at NULC said: “Ami is valued as a mature, sensible student with an impressive work ethic.  She is a calm and very thoughtful student who is always able to take a momentary step back to assess a situation and then deal with it in a very mature, objective and precise way.  She has never given anything but her best throughout the time she has been at the college.”

Ami is a member of the NULCNetball Academy; she also competes at regional standard within netball, and has attended England training camps.  In 2012 Ami was selected for the England U19’s Netball Europe Squad and the British Colleges Sport (BCS) England Netball Squad where she has had the opportunity to compete throughout Europe.

To find out more about studying Sport at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk. 

To see the full gallery of images from VQ Day 2012 visit the NULC Facebook page here.

VQ Day celebrations with Josh Brown

 

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) supported VQ Day by celebrating the success of its vocational students.

VQ Day, held on Wednesday 20 June 2012, was marked by a special celebration event at the College’s £60 million Knutton Lane campus. Students studying a Level 3 vocational qualification who have achieved triple distinction (equivalent to three As at A Level) will be recognised for their success along with a number of students who have achieved the new triple distinction star grade, which is equivalent to 3 A*’s at A Level.

At NULC, success rates on vocational courses are high across all areas of study. This year, over 100 students on BTEC National Diplomas are on target to achieve the top triple distinction grade (DDD) - equivalent to three grade As at A Level. In 2011, 313 students studying Level 3 Vocational qualifications and Apprenticeships progressed to higher education.

Josh Brown, aged 18 from Werrington is studying the Level 3Diploma is Sport Exercise and Science at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC).

The former Moorside High School pupil achieved 14 GCSE’s and explains why he chose to come to NULC: “NULC has amazing sports facilities and the Academy of Sport enabled me to play football at a competitive level whilst also studying for a sports qualification.”

During his studies at NULC, Josh undertook a work placement with the NHS within the Physiotherapy department and obtained outstanding feedback: “Josh portrayed an excellent work ethic, subject knowledge and ability to work with both staff and patients in what was a very demanding environment.”

Whilst at NULC Josh has been awarded student of the month, represented the College Football team as captain, played in the British Colleges Sport (BCS) league and was selected for England Colleges U18 squad in 2012 where he played in a series of fixtures against other nations.  In addition Josh also plays locally for Newcastle Town U18’s and has recently broke into the reserve team. 

Josh is on course to achieve triple distinction star in his qualification and will progress on to university to study a degree in sport.

To find out more about studying Sport at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk.

NULC wins West Midlands College of the Year at Sport Awards

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) is celebrating after being awarded West Midlands College of the Year in the recent British College Sport (BCS) Awards.

The College was awarded at a Gala Dinner held at Aston Business School Conference Centre in Birmingham, where colleges and young athletes from across the country came together to celebrate sporting achievements.

NULC was also shortlisted for the National College of the Year Award, which was devised to highlight the good practice in the Further Education sector, but was piped to the post by Gateshead College.

Trevor Humphreys, Academy of Sport Manager at NULC said: “This year NULC has worked hard to cement itself as one of the top further education providers for sport in the country.  No matter what you want to study at NULC you can combine it with top level coaching, competition and support to help you achieve your academic and sporting potential.”

The winners were selected from colleges nominated from around the country in recognition of their significant contributions to BCS in developing opportunities for students and staff through sport, developing college sport regionally or nationally, and working in partnership with other BCS member colleges locally, regionally, or nationally.

Since the formation of the NULC Academy of Sport the college, has in a very short time, established itself as a leader in sports provision amongst education providers both locally and nationally.  Notably the college formed the NULC Knights Basketball team which is the only club in the county to provide the opportunity to compete at national league level.  The college also works in partnership with Newcastle Town Football Club to provide a Football Academy.

This year in particular has seen phenomenal success for sport at NULC, with highlights including five members of the NULC Academy of Sport being selected to represent national teams in men’s and women’s football, netball and rugby and 17 students selected to represent regional teams in netball, rugby, hockey and men’s and women’s football.

A number of the Academy of Sport teams have competed in regional and national competitions including the ladies football, men’s basketball, netball, men’s volleyball, ladies volleyball, mixed volleyball, rugby and table tennis teams, with all teams making it through to either the finals or semi-finals. The College also had record success at the British Colleges National Cup Finals with a haul of gold and silver medals and three national champions. 

To find out more about studying Sport at Newcastle-under-Lyme College NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/sport or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or info@nulc.ac.uk

Sports Massage Therapy students lend a soothing hand to runners

Adult students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) studying Sports Massage Therapy provided their expertise to runners in the Potters 'Arf Marathon.

Lead Sports Therapy Lecturer Antony Bosson handing the day's proceeds to Douglas Macmillan Hospice Fundraising Coordinator Nicola Hancock.

The Douglas Macmillan Hospice approached Lead Sports Therapy lecturer Anthony Bosson to ask if the College could help with fundraising on the day.  The event took place in Hanley, City Centre on Sunday 10 June and Anthony recruited a small team of high calibre NULC Sports Massage Therapy students to provide post-event massage for runners. In return, all runners gave a donation to Douglas Macmillan Hospice.  The students also fulfilled their course requirement by completing 100 hours of Sports Massage.

Anthony Bosson, Lead Sports Therapy lecturer at NULC said: "This was a highly rewarding event which served a very worthwhile charity and culminated with the students' attainment of the practical Sports Massage Therapy qualification." 

To find out more about studying Sports Therapy at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

NULC students shine at national athletics championships

Students from the Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) Academy of Sport won a record nine medals at the British Colleges Sport National Athletics Championships this week.

The NULC Academyof Sport students excelled in the two day Championships on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 May and came away with an unmatched haul of two Gold, four Silver and three Bronze medals.

Trevor Humphreys, Academy of Sport Manager, said: “The haul of medals which the NULC Academy of Sport students have returned with firmly places NULC amongst the countries most elite colleges for Athletics.”

James Taylor, aged 17 from Stoke, won Gold in the 110m Hurdles. Earlier in the year James was awarded Junior Individual of the Year at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards held by The Sentinel Newspaper. 

James, who studies the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport at NULC, became the Midlands Youth Champion in August 2011 when he sped to a clear victory in the under-17’s 100m hurdles in 13.37 seconds. That same month, he also collected relay silver in the 4x100m sprint at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Turkey.

Tom Guy

Trevor said: “James has had a tough week this week missing out on carrying the Olympic Torch, so for him to bounce back and win Gold in the BCS Championships goes to show what a dedicated and professional athlete he really is.”

Former Haywood Engineering College student Tom Guy, aged 18 from Mill Hill, also won Gold in the 400m. Tom is in his final year at NULC studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science and is on target to achieve triple Distinction in his vocational qualification later this month.

A total of 22 students from the award-winning NULC Academy of Sport made the long journey to Gateshead International Athletics Stadium to compete, cheered on by peers and fellow athletes from colleges across the country.

To find out more about Sport at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/sport or contact Trevor Humphreys on 01782 254269 or email sport@nulc.ac.uk.