Sports Programmes
Students studying at Abbey College Manchester can apply to participate in our professional sports training programmes. We offer professional coaching in Football, Cycling and Tennis.
A combined philosophy has developed from bringing the benefits of elite sports training to both sports performance and academic studies. We call it the 5 Rs; Routine, Rigour, Responsibility, Resilience and Reflection and they are skills which benefit the students for the rest of their lives, in sport and work.
Participation in our sports programmes provides the perfect preparation for students wishing to progress to a sports related degree at university or continue training at a high level while they study. Although a number of students participate because they wish to improve their skills and enjoy sport as downtime from their studies. All three sports streams complement our Sports Foundation Programme.
Training sessions for all three sports are offered alongside GCSE, A Level, Combined Studies and IFP at no extra cost. However, the academic rigour of the courses does need careful consideration when selecting additional sports commitments. Each week several academic classes could be missed and it is the responsibility of the students to liaise with the teachers and catch up on any work that will be missed.
Football Academy
We offer professional football training for students up to three afternoons a week.
The academy allows students to study for qualifications to enter university, alongside intensive football training which could lead to a career as a professional or semi-professional football in the future. Football training is added to students’ timetables for two hours, three afternoons a week. One of these sessions is usually a competitive match.
Our aim is to develop players in a supportive and safe environment, and to encourage them to reach their full potential. We also want our students to enjoy their course with us, while working hard to continue their personal development.
Our football academy is affiliated with The Football Association and offers:
- UEFA qualified / ex-pro player coaches
- League football / guest pro-coaches / IPSO scout assessment days
- Network of scouts and pro-club coach contacts
- Train and play with local clubs
- Nutrition & diet / strength & conditioning
If you wish to discover more about our football academy please click here
Cycling Academy
We are thrilled to be working with Manchester Cycling Academy to offer this innovative training programme, which is the first of its kind in the UK and possibly Europe.
Manchester Cycling Academy has many years of elite sports experience, and students will receive expert coaching and guidance allowing them to succeed on and off the bike. The course has the flexibility to coach ‘elite’ students who are dedicated to improving their cycling performance to compete on a world scale, or students who just enjoy the sport and want to get better while focusing on their studies.
Manchester Cycling Academy is a growing sports education provider which delivers high quality cycling provision across the North West of England in partnership with Sports Governing Bodies, Local Authorities, Academic and Commercial Partners. They already run a successful education programme which offers a BTEC Sport programme and they also have a partnership with British Cycling to run the Sport England funded, Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE).
Much of the cycling activity will be based at the world class and newly renovated ‘Medal Factory’ which is the National Cycling Centre, Manchester . This is the home of British Cycling, and our students will train using the same facilities and tracks that Olympic medallists use every day. The young people who attend will be able to emulate the world’s best whenever they train.
The training includes:
- Initial consultation, fitness assessment, health & nutritional assessment and establishment of smart goals
- Strength and conditioning plan
- 1-2-1 Half termly performance, health and nutrition reviews
- Coaching sessions with a maximum coach to rider ratio of 1 to 10 which will include Track, Road, Circuit, BMX, strength and conditioning and classroom based seminars every two weeks. Number of sessions will depend on academic timetables.
- Road rides would be supported by the Manchester Cycling Academy team car which features racking for spare bikes, tools, storage space for winter clothing and complimentary food and drink.
- Opportunity for weekly prescribed rides which can be done either solo or with a group from one of our partner teams and clubs. Rides and routes will be provided in a format which can be followed on a mobile phone or bike computer.
- British Cycling Level 1 Coaching Award
Tennis Academy
Our tennis training programme takes place at the Manchester Football and Tennis Centre. There are both floodlit indoor and outdoor courts.
Whether you’re aiming to be the next Wimbledon champion, or looking to develop your tennis skills to play ay the next level, our coaches are experienced at working with students of all abilities. Coaching will follow the latest Lawn Tennis Association guidelines and sessions are delivered by licensed and registered LTA coaches.
Sports Progession
Students attending our Sports Programmes have recently progressed to the following universities:
University of Manchester – Chemical Engineering
University of Nottingham – Civil Engineering
University of Nottingham – Politics and International Relations
Manchester Metropolitan University – Sports Coaching and Development
Manchester Metropolitan University – Business Management
Sheffield Hallam University – Accounting and Finance
Loughborough University – Economics
Manchester Metropolitan University – International Business Management
UCLan – Sports Business Management
Manchester Metropolitan University – Applied Computing
Hartpury University – Sport and Exercise Sciences
University of Bedfordshire – Football Studies
How do I apply?
If you wish to combine Sports Training with your academic course at Abbey College Manchester, please indicate this on your application form and this will be discussed with you further at interview stage.
