Nelson and Colne College has received a six-figure sum from Sport England to encourage more students to get active.
The college has been awarded a total of £114,090 in National Lottery funding through Sport England’s £5m. project to tackle student inactivity. The funding boost will support NCC’s wider extracurricular programme, promoting the “Be Active” element of the government’s “Five Ways to Wellbeing” document.
Working with specific college departments at NCC to embed physical activity within the curriculum, the project will identify skills and qualities needed within a student’s career pathway and how physical activity and sport can help develop this.
A programme of physical activity, fitness and teambuilding activities will be planned and offered to multiple groups within the college and the funding will also expand on NCC’s lunchtime provision to provide a range of activities and opportunities for students to be physically involved in.
As well as improving physical activity levels, the project focuses highly on the development of transferable skills and qualities such as a sense of belonging and building self-esteem and confidence to enable students to achieve what they want in life.
Alexis Turner, Project Lead at Nelson and Colne College said: “We are extremely grateful to Sport England for the funding and it means we can widen our sporting provision, meet our student demand and meet the needs of the inactive student population.
“It will also provide an opportunity for new and exciting onsite and offsite activities, which many of our students may never have had the opportunity to experience before, and it will encourage continued participation in physical activity.”
Table Tennis is one of the lunchtime activities offered at NCC and Level 3 Sport and Exercise Sciences student Chloe Fitzpatrick said: “I play badminton too but I really enjoy the Table Tennis over lunchtime.
“Sometimes we have competitions but it’s nice to be able to socialise with other students and it’s a fun way to spend an hour.”
Level 2 ICT student David Gibbons said: “I’m really enjoying playing Table Tennis – it’s a good way to spend your lunchtime. I don’t have anything on a Wednesday but I still come in to play. Now I’m thinking of taking up cricket as well.”
Physical inactivity is defined as participating in less than 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week on a regular basis, and the project has an ambitious target of engaging 610 inactive participants over a two year period.
Sport England research found that nationally nearly one in five college students are inactive and do less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week as per England’s Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations. Nearly two thirds of this inactive group do nothing at all.
Mike Diaper, Executive Director of Community Sport at Sport England said: “We are delighted to offer Nelson and Colne College National Lottery funding to help get students active.
“College is a crucial time in a young person’s development. It is often the first time that activity is not a compulsory part of their study programme and therefore all too many young people become inactive.
“This funding will allow colleges to be innovative in addressing the needs and desires of their students to help embed activity in their lifestyle in college and for years to come.”
NCC’s extracurricular offer has been revamped for the 2017/18 academic year and the extensive offer includes unique Pre-Professional Programmes across a range of subject areas, mindfulness sessions, opportunities to gain a career skill or a life skill and the chance to develop creative flair through creative arts.
There is the opportunity to complete the challenging Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, get involved with volunteering and charity fundraising, and participate in a wide range of sports either competitively or for leisure. Also new for the year is the Burnley FC Girls Academy – a fantastic way for budding female footballers to combine playing skills with academic studies.
Nelson and Colne College’s next Year 11 Open Event is on Monday 13th November from 5.30pm until 7.30pm.
For more information about Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272 or visit www.nelson.ac.uk
