If you’re never happier than when you’re active, then a career in sport could be calling to you. Whether you want to play professionally, support top athletes or inspire other people to discover the enjoyment of sport for themselves, we can help you to reach your goals.
If you’re prepared to put the hours in, we can help you to improve your fitness, knowledge and skills. It doesn’t matter what your starting point is, how old you are or what grades you got at school, we have a Sport course to suit you at The Manchester College – the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*.
Our Sport courses are offered at our Openshaw Campus. Find out more about our new facilities.
*As per the latest Government National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs)
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It starts with you!
Get career ready with us and unlock your potential today, view our range of Sport courses and apply to study at the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement*.
Our Courses
Whether you want to become an athlete, coach, physiotherapist, P.E. teacher, fitness instructor or personal trainer, our courses can help you to kick-start your journey to a fantastic career.
16-18 courses
If you’re 16-18, you’ll join our Centre of Excellence for Sport where you’ll have the opportunity to study a range of courses from Level 1 to Level 3, in coaching, leadership and sport science.
You’ll also get the opportunity to hear from well-known sports people such as Anthony Crolla, enjoy masterclasses from sports brands and experts, and take part in local and national trips to famous professional sports clubs and venues. Plus, you’ll spend at least 35 hours on a work experience placement in places such as professional and semi-professional sports clubs, physios, sports centres, sports clothing brands, and local schools.
You could also even enrol on our Basketball or Football Scholarship programmes. These scholarships allow you to specialise in your chosen sport, gain a qualification equivalent to three A Levels, learn from current and former professional players and coaches, and join The Manchester College’s first team academy squad.
Adult courses
If you’re over 18 and you’re already working in the fitness sector or you’d like to, you might be interested in one our specialist personal training course.
As an Active IQ approved centre, you’ll receive high-quality, industry-relevant training in personal training.
You’ll leave with a recognised qualification and the skills you need to get a job as a personal trainer.
Our Teams
Enrolling into our Centre of Excellence for Sport isn’t just about discovering more about the sport you love and working towards a bright career.
If you’re 16-18, you’ll also get the chance to represent The Manchester College at local, regional and maybe even national level!
By joining one of our college sports teams, you’ll develop a range of skills in a fun and welcoming environment. Our highly qualified and experienced coaches can help you to fulfil your ambitions on the pitch or the court. You’ll also be able to put what you’ve learnt in the classroom into practice.
The Manchester College Men’s Football Team
Our football team competes in the AoC National Championship League. We were crowned champions in 2023/24 after winning the Men’s Regional League 1.
Trials are open to students aged 16-18, and run from enrolment until early September. If you’re successful, you’ll train three times a week on our full size 3G pitch at our Openshaw campus. Matches are played on Wednesdays.
The Manchester College Women’s Football Team
Our football team was formed in 2023 and plays in the AoC League.
Trials are open to students aged 16-18, and run from enrolment until early September. Training will be on a Monday evening 4:30pm - 6:30pm on our full size 3G pitch at our Openshaw campus. Matches are played on Wednesdays.
The Manchester College Men’s Basketball Team
Our basketball team competes against colleges from across the region in the AoC North West Basketball League.
It’s open to students aged 16-18, and trials take place from enrolment until early September. If you’re successful, you’ll train three times a week with games taking place on Wednesdays.
The Manchester College Women’s Netball Team
Our netball team competes against colleges from across the region in the AoC North West Netball League.
It’s open to students aged 16-18, and trials take place from enrolment until early September. If you’re successful, you’ll train twice a week with games taking place on Wednesdays.
For more information please contact:
Ambokile Bell - BellA@tmc.ac.uk - Basketball
Justine Stevenson - JStevenson@tmc.ac.uk - Women’s Football and Netball, Volleyball, Rugby and Rowing
Jake Richardson - JRichardson@tmc.ac.uk - Men’s Football
Our Tutors
When you study at The Manchester College, you’ll be learning from highly qualified tutors who have a wealth of knowledge and experience of sports, coaching and fitness.
You could soon be learning from people who’ve coached professional players in sports such as American football and basketball. And you could even be training with a former Premier League coach!
As well as sharing their experiences with you, our tutors often use their connections to help students gain fantastic work experience placements.
Hayley Francis - Director of Curriculum
Stuart Nickson - Head of Department
Justine Stevenson - Tutor
Ambokile Bell - Tutor
Chris Blackburn - Tutor
Our Facilities and Location
Our Centre of Excellence for Sport is based at our redeveloped Openshaw campus.
The new £25 million development, which opened in September 2021, features a six court sports hall, which host five-a-side football, netball, basketball, badminton, futsal, volleyball and more. We’ve also built an industry standard match and performance analysis suite and an outdoor 3G pitch with spectator seating.
You’ll benefit from a fully equipped fitness suite and gym, including treadmills, rowers, exercise bikes, free weights, squat racks and much more.
You'll even have access to an industry standard sports lab for fitness and performance testing, and will be able to use highly specialised equipment, including Douglas bags, Cortex metalysers, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, peak flow meters and body composition based equipment
Do you have an EHCP or SEND need?
The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:
- Student Experience Support Team
- Careers Employability & Welfare
- Pastoral Support Officers
- Supported Learning
We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.
Find out more about our student support offer:
Student supportFind out more
Find out even more about our Sport department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:
19+ adult courses starting in 2024/25
Start something new with our Adult Education courses starting in 2024/25!
Browse our wide range of courses and apply now.
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Get yourself in shape to compete against the elite
Explore our degrees in Sport & Exercise Science, Coaching and many more.
Top Careers Opportunities
Leisure and sports manager
Average Salary £36,400
Sports players
Average Salary £67,040
Fitness instructors
Average Salary £21,320
Joel Fletcher • Level 3 SportI love it at The Manchester College. The tutors and support staff really show that they care. I know that if I want to start early or use the facilities late, I’ll be allowed; they are really flexible.
Lenin Sibanda • Level 3 Sports and ExerciseBeing at The Manchester College has shown me different career paths that I could take and I have met new people that have helped me over the years.
In one of The Manchester College’s 19 Centres of Excellence you’ll develop the skills and gain the qualifications that you need to take the next steps towards your dream career.
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