YOUNG athletes at Middlesbrough College have made a superb start to 2016 with 39 of them securing their places at the Association of Colleges (AoC) National Finals in Newcastle in April.
All train at MC SPORT – Middlesbrough College’s centre of sporting excellence.
The students will compete in women’s seven-a-side football, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, men’s table tennis, men’s golf and men’s cross country.
They include young golfer Dan Twiby.
Dan joined MC SPORT in October 2015 and since then has worked hard on his game, reducing his starting handicap from eight to five.
He’s now qualified for the National Golf College Championship after success at the North East College Qualifier.
Cricketer Adam Fenby and table tennis star Alex Ward are enjoying similar successes thanks to MC SPORT – Adam’s been selected to play for Durham County Cricket Under-19s and Alex is representing English Schools Table Tennis Association World Schools Championships in Eilat in Israel in April.
Meanwhile MC SPORT men’s volleyball team have won through to the semi-final of the National Cup and four of them are playing and training with the mighty Team Northumbria.
Not to be outdone, the women’s volleyball team have won through to the semi-final of the National Cup and are reigning regional champions.
Much-coveted USA scholarships beckon for four of MC SPORT’s female footballers after their unrivalled success at national and regional level.
And MC SPORT gymnasts are limbering up for forthcoming competitions – the Regional Schools’ Gymnastics Finals in Acrobatics and Tumbling and the Regional Mixed Floor and Vault Finals.
Success is also being celebrated by MC SPORT Basketball Academy – the squad remains unbeaten in the League and sits at the top of the AoC Men’s Division 1 (North-East).
All mainly novice players, the basketball squad has also reached the last 16 in the National Basketball Cup – an impressive achievement – and several of them have secured places for Tees Valley Mohawks Under-18s or National League.
MC SPORT was created in 2012 to deliver a first class sporting environment, offering young athletes top level coaching and a range of top quality support including nutrition advice and physiotherapy.
Since then it has expanded, now offering nine impressive sporting academies designed for 16-19 year olds – each offers specialist coaching to develop sporting excellence, nurture natural talent and aid personal development.
Middlesbrough College offers all students the chance to train and study at one of the sports academies which make up MC SPORT and awards Elite Sports Scholarships to those students who excel at their chosen sport.
Those awarded Elite Scholarships receive a free iPad or laptop, free sports academy training kit, free gym membership, free physiotherapy and massage, assistance with costs for representing the Sports Academies and free or subsidised transport to and from the college.
David Goodchild, academy director, said: “Belonging to a Sports Academy improves a student’s chances of progressing to and being accepted by an elite sports institution either here in the UK or in the USA.
“Successful completion of their chosen course combined with achieving 100% attendance at all training sessions and match fixtures relating to their chosen Sports Academy, improves a student’s skill, talent and academic level.”
MC SPORT provides students with the opportunity to prepare fully, physically and mentally, to help them perform when it comes to competing.
MC SPORT’s top-quality third generation all-weather pitch and superb sports hall means more sports are able to be played in a variety of weather conditions all year round.
MC SPORT also has a strength and conditioning suite, physiotherapy and sports injury centre, expert nutritional advisors and coaching staff with a wealth of experience across the board, meaning students receive quality advice and training both on and off the pitch.
Many of the staff have also coached or competed at a top level for a number of years, which means they understand all aspects of the sport.
MC SPORT also features a dedicated therapy centre, offering support to students returning to sport after injury. The centre features a cryotherapy spa – a cold water immersion technique that reduces swelling, inflammation and muscle soreness. It’s believed the nearest similar facility is at Manchester City Football Club.
Find out more about MC SPORT by visiting www.mbro.ac.uk or call 01642 333333.