SPORT

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)

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*.

Aged 16-18? Apply Now

Aged 19+? Apply Now

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.

Browse our 16-18 courses

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.

Browse our 19+ Adult course

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

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

Hayley is the Director of Curriculum for Sport, Public Services and Care Professions. Hayley has been working at The Manchester College for 10 years.
 
She has helped to grow the department over the years and driven the quality of provision through ensuring our course offer meets the needs of the industries, by leading her experienced team to excellence in teaching, supporting learners to achieve their ambitions and working closely with industry employers.
 

Stuart Nickson - Head of Department

Stuart began his professional coaching career with Bury Football Academy and later moved to Rochdale AFC working with their under 15/16s teams.
 
More recently, Stuart has worked with Premier League clubs such as Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United. He’s been at The Manchester College for over ten years and is Head of Department for Sport and Public Services and Criminology.
 

Justine Stevenson - Tutor

Justine has over 15 years of experience within the sports development, managing sports facilities and working in conjunction with organisations and schools across the Greater Manchester area.
 
Justine has club level coaching experience within netball and has developed several community-based clubs as well as launching a National League club in Basketball. This background allows Justine to use the support of local schools and organisations to enhance the curriculum giving students a taste of industry.
 

Ambokile Bell - Tutor

Ambokile has over 20 years of experience within the sports industry. He has worked across Europe and the Middle East as a teacher trainer for organisations such as Nike and Youth Sport Trust International.
 
Ambokile also has previous experience within the the health and fitness industry as a Cancer Rehabilitator for MacMillan Cancer Support and Trekstock. He integrates his knowledge within the classroom allowing students a greater understanding of sport and leisure, as well as career opportunities they can explore.
 

Chris Blackburn - Tutor

Chris has been lecturing in Sport for almost 20 years and has a Masters in Education and a Post Graduate Degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Science. More recently he has delivered our Personal Training Diplomas covering health and nutrition as well as strength and conditioning training. Chris enjoys competing in multiple sports, primarily rugby union with county honours, and athletics. In recent years he has taken to competitive indoor rowing where he regularly competes on both the domestic and international circuit and holds national and European titles over 500m.
 

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

Explore our amazing new facilities

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 support

Find out even more about our Sport department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:

Download our subject area guide

Watch our YouTube playlist

Start something new with our Adult Education courses starting in 2024/25! 

Browse our wide range of courses and apply now.

Browse 19+ adult courses

Photo gallery

UCEN Manchester School of Healthcare Logo

Get yourself in shape to compete against the elite

Explore our degrees in Sport & Exercise Science, Coaching and many more.

Top Careers Opportunities

I 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.

Joel Fletcher • Level 3 Sport

Being 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.

Lenin Sibanda • Level 3 Sports and Exercise

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.

Learn more