Sports students gain hands-on experience at major sporting events

Students studying Sport courses at The Manchester College were recently given the opportunity to explore careers in the events industry by working at some of Greater Manchester's biggest sporting events, including the EuroBasket Qualifiers, MediaCity Half Marathon and Adidas Manchester Marathon.

13 students on Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport and Exercise Science courses at the College worked alongside staff from GLL and MCR Basketball* to manage game-day operations for the EuroBasket Qualifiers. This included the students supporting Great Britain in their fixtures against high-profile teams such as Austria and Norway.

During the tournament, which took place at National Basketball Performance Centre, the Sport students, who study Organising a Sports Event as part of their programmes, were responsible for operational roles such as event preparation, court setup, access support, crowd management and game-day logistics.

Through these roles, the students were able to apply the knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom to the workplace and showcase their professionalism, teamwork and communication skills in a real-world environment.

Commenting on the students’ involvement in such a high-profile international basketball tournament, tutor Ambokile Bell said: “This experience gave our students meaningful insight into what it takes to deliver international sport at the highest level.

These opportunities continue to bridge the gap between education and industry, giving students invaluable exposure to elite performance environments and inspiring future careers in sport and event management.

In addition to the EuroBasket Qualifiers, students studying Level 2 Sport Diploma and Level 3 Certificate in Sport and Physical Activity courses with the further education provider got the chance to work alongside RunThrough and Human Race** to support another two major events hosted in the city, the MediaCity Half Marathon and the Adidas Manchester Marathon. Students supported the organisers with a range of tasks, including unloading bag-drop lorries, organising runners’ belongings and helping ensure a smooth post-race experience.

On the finish line, they played a key role in preparing and handing out completion medals, celebrating each runner’s achievement. The students also operated water stations and took on marshalling duties across the courses, helping to guide and support participants safely throughout the events.

Ambokile added:

“We’re incredibly proud of our students for their ability to work as a team and help deliver smooth and successful events on this scale. They’re a credit to our College and truly exemplify our values and dedication to excellence.”

Explore the Sport courses available at The Manchester College and apply today.

*GLL is a charitable social enterprise that operates leisure and sports facilities across the UK, while MCR Basketball is Manchester's leading professional basketball organisation and community development programme.

**RunThrough and Human Race (a part of Amaury Sport Organisation UK) are two of the UK's leading mass-participation event organisers, collectively delivering some of the country's most popular running events.