Nash hail new education partnership

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Curzon Ashton are hailing the success of their new partnership with Tameside College.

The First Division North club teamed up with academics from the Ashton-under-Lyne college’s Department of Business & Leisure earlier this year to offer a variety of sports courses combined with professional football training.

Since September, 24 students aged 16-18 have been based at the club’s Tameside Stadium studying for qualifications including BTEC Level 3 Diplomas in Sport and First for Sport’s Leadership in Sport Level 2 awards.

As well as the opportunity to gain a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification and obtain real work experience, students have been enjoying access to the college’s excellent facilities including include an indoor sports hall, fitness suite, sports therapy room and physiology laboratory.

At the same time, they’ve been trained by highly qualified football coaches and benefitted from a professional lecturing team with a wealth of expertise in the sports industry, including specialist vocational tutors and sports therapists. Learners have also had access to the college’s experienced ‘Student Services’ team which offers career advice and guidance. Upon completion of their courses, they can either progress to study for a Foundation or University degree or move into employment in the industry.

Curzon Ashton Secretary Robert Hurst said: "Curzon Ashton is excited and pleased to be involved in this exciting partnership with Tameside College. This initiative will definitely benefit the learners in Tameside and will certainly allow us to assist young people in gaining important hands-on experience in the demanding field of sports. Curzon Ashton looks to a long and mutually fruitful partnership in supporting this initiative."

Karen Hunter, Department Head for Business & Leisure at Tameside College, said: "We are extremely honoured to be partnered with such a high profile Football Club like Curzon Ashton. These are exciting times for students to receive such a unique learning package combining professional Football coaching, valuable work experience in the Football Industry and vocational expert knowledge from our Sports lecturers at Tameside College.”