Student Profile

Name: Mark Bentham

Age: 19

Course: Sports Performance and Excellence

Academy: Rugby

Leagues involved in through Gateshead College:
Gateshead College League
North of England Colleges League

‘I feel that I have benefited greatly from studying at Gateshead College because I have learnt how to train properly, how to conduct myself on and off the pitch and how to manage my nutrition. As part of the Rugby Academy I have learnt skills that helped both excel at college and at a club level'.

Name: Phil Hurst

Age: 17

Course: BTEC National Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)

Academy: Athletics

Club: Elswick Athletics Club

‘Studying at the sports academy has helped me out a great deal, as the facilities here are top of the range and allow me to train to my best ability. Also the coaches that are involved in the sports academy are helping me become a better athlete by improving my strengths and weakness'.

Name: Brooke Hudson

Course: National Diploma Sports and Exercise Science

Age: 17

Academy: Netball

Teams involved in through Gateshead College: Gateshead College Netball Team

‘The level of dedicated training time has helped me increase my fitness and get to really know my new team mates. Working with the college team helped me get spotted for trials for the British Netball Team.'

Name: Sarah Bennett

Course: First Diploma in Sport. Progressed from an Introductory Diploma in Sport and Leisure

Age: 17

Academy: Girls Football

Teams involved in through Gateshead College:
ECFA Women's Northern Premier League
ECFA Women's National Squad

‘The extra coaching sessions that I receive in college have helped me become a better player as it has improved my fitness and strength. I have also had the chance to play for English Colleges where I represent the whole of England at college level. The facilities we have are at a high standard and available to use at anytime.'

Name: Kris Thackery

Age: 19

Course studied at the College: BTEC ND in Sport, Performance and Excellence

Academy: Men's Football

What I am up to now: Pursuing a career in professional football; currently playing in Italy for Regina on a youth contract

‘Gateshead College is unique in that it provides a rigorous training and learning environment but the atmosphere and relationships with coaching and teaching staff is relaxed and friendly. The facilities are excellent, but it is about more than that. The motivation and support you receive is incredible and that, coupled with great facilities, is what makes training at the college a pleasure even when it is really tough. I was part of the ECFA national league winning team at the college and that set high standards for my future goals'.

Name: Chris Basham

Age: 19

Course studied at the College: BTEC ND in Sport, Performance and Excellence

Academy: Men's Football

What I am up to now: Pursuing a career in Professional Football; currently playing for Bolton Wonderers

‘I loved everything about being part of the college; the students, the coaches, the facilities and my course. Being able to study sport theory really helped me to understand how my body worked when I was training and what I needed to do to maximise my performance. I had the opportunity to play for 2 years in a winning league team which made me want to continue winning and to push myself so that I could achieve that.'

Name: Jill Scott

Age: 21

Course studied at Gateshead College: BTEC ND in Sport and Exercise Science

Academy: Women's Football

What I am up to now: Pursuing a career in Professional Football; currently playing for Everton and represented the England National Team

‘When I studied at the college I was playing a lot of football as I was playing for Sunderland Ladies and it was sometimes difficult to juggle coursework and my football commitments. However, the support I received from the lecturing and coaching team at the college made a huge difference and allowed me to continue to play football at that level and to complete my course and develop the skills that I needed. The Sports Academy is professional but the coaching team are very friendly; they make you want to excel'.

Name: Stephanie Bannon

Age: 19

Course studied at Gateshead College: BTEC ND in Sport and Exercise Science

Academy: Women's Football

What I am up to now: Studying at Northumbria University for BSc Sport and Exercise Science Degree. I am playing football for Sunderland Ladies and have been selected to play for the England Universities team

‘I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Sports Academy. Knowing that the college had an excellent reputation in sport made me want to enrol and I was pleased to be a part of it. Whilst I was at the academy we trained three times a week which has helped me personally develop my own football knowledge; this has therefore helped me when training for other teams, such as English Universities. Whilst I was at the academy we won the Champions League, both 11 a side and 5 a side, this was great experience and memories which will stay with me forever. Being able to play football while learning at the same time was something that not many other colleges could offer and I would recommend it to everyone.'