Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)
As a Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Dual Career accredited college, we give talented athletes the opportunity to combine academic excellence with elite performance support.
TASS Dual Career athletes can achieve their potential in education while continuing to compete and develop within their sport. They benefit from access to a range of dual career workshops including nutrition, social media, time management, psychology and lifestyle guidance. We also ensure training and sport can run alongside lessons and studying by providing more flexibility and offering catch-up sessions.


Calum McGowan
Course: A Levels - Maths, Physics and Politics.
Sport: Athletics
Level: County Level
Club: Tynedale Harriers
Best moment: Competing for County Durham in the Octathlon in York
Ambitions: To compete in the Olympics


Finley Wilkinson
Course: A Levels – Maths, Physics and Chemistry
Sport: Athletics (hurdles)
Level: National
Club: Gateshead Harriers
Best moment: Winning Scottish nationals and going to English Schools
Ambitions: To gain a scholarship to an American university and continue to study and train


Thomas Hughes
Course: Level 3 Sports and Coaching
Sport: Weightlifting
Club: North Tyneside Barbells
Best moments: Winning Nationals and securing a place on Weightlifting Talent Squad
Ambition: To compete in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics


Sam Sweeney
Course: Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science
Sport: Squash
Level: Regional
Club: South Shields
Best moment: Winning England Junior Plate Inter Counties and under 19 County Championship.
Ambitions: To be placed in the top 10 in England by next year


Reece Slater
Course: Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science
Sport: Athletics
Level: Regional
Club: Gosforth Harriers
Best moment: Achieving third at northern championships in 1500m this summer.
Ambitions: To gain a scholarship to USA.


Niamh Swailes
Course: Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development plus A Level Sociology
Sport: Rugby Union
Level: England
Club: Ryton RFC / DMP Sharks
Best moment: Playing for England 18s / winning Yorkshire 7s with Ryton
Ambitions: To play for England Women’s


Neve Herron
Course: Level 2 Fitness and Health
Sport: Football
Level: International
Club: Sunderland
Best moment: I’ve got two best moments – the first one is playing at the Stadium of Light in front of all my family and scoring and the second one is when I made my international debut.
Ambitions: To play in the women’s WSL and represent my country.


Marc Mogie
Course: Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development
Sport: Cycling
Club: Racing Metro 15
Level: Regional
Best moment: One of my all-time favourite moments on my bike when we set out to do 80 miles and we completed it however, it was the worst weather conditions I have ever rode in. It was pouring down the whole time and hail stoning for some of the ride. It was really hard but I didn’t want to stop, in fact riding in that kind of weather pushed me to finish and drive harder. It’s the best moment I’ve had because at that moment I felt like I could do anything on my bike.
Ambitions: My ambition in life is to become a pro cyclist, I work endlessly week in week out to make this dream come true. Another ambition is to ride the Tour de France, the day I accomplish this will be the day I know everything I have worked for has paid off.


Jacee Barkel
Course: Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science
Sport: Kickboxing
Level: Brown belt (2 stripe)
Club: Spartan Fighting Arts
Best moment: Winning the Worlds 2021
Ambitions: To win titles across the world and be well known


Becky Ferguson
Course: Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science
Sport: Football
Club: Newcastle United Women
Best moment: Making my debut for England Wu17’s
Ambitions: To improve as a player and to progress into higher leagues


Paddy Horner
Course: Level 3 Sports Coaching & Development
Sport: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Level: International
Club: North East Jiu Jitsu
Best moment: 2 x World Championship Gold medallist, 2x European Champion Gold medallist, National Championship Gold medallist, British Championship Gold medallist.
Ambitions: To become professional in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts and to win championships at an elite level. I also hope to achieve my Level 3 qualification for Sports Coaching & Development to become a sports teacher.


Daniel Saba
Course: Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development
Sport: road cycling
Level: National
Club: Vector Racing
Best moment: There are two; winning Regional Champions for the North East and becoming top 20 in National ranks
Ambitions: To become professional and go to the Olympics for Team GB


Holly Jones
Course: Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design
Sport: Netball
Club: DPNC
Best moment: Making the 2021-22 AOC national netball squad
Ambitions: To play for the u21 England netball squad


Ellie Ohalloran
Course: Level 3 Sport and Exercise Science
Sport: Athletics
Level: National
Club: Jarrow and Hebburn AC
Best moment: Winning gold in shot putt at the School Games 2021.
Ambitions: To represent GB at Paralympics


Charlotte Kendall
Sport: Judo
Level: National and International
Club: Battle Hill Judo Club
Best moments: 4x British Judo Council National cCampion and competing in the Commonwealth Championships
Ambitions: To travel and compete in more countries and become a coach