Jonathon gave a presentation about the 1 year Sports Top-up Degree course and hosted a question and answer session with the students.

Students were able to gain information on the timetabling, content and structure of the modules they will be studying on their programme. They also discussed the opportunities for Research Projects and Work Placements along with the Universities community and sports links that they could access.

Jonathon said “the students were very inquisitive about the course and asked a range of pertinent questions which was great to see. We are delighted that so many of the Sports Coaching students at LMC are progressing on to our top up degree course at the University of Cumbria. It is excellent to see the development of our partnership link with LMC which we hope will grow and strengthen in the future.”    

HND Level 5 Sport student, Georgia Lupton said “It was a great opportunity to listen and gain insight into what I will be doing on my progression course later this year. It also gave me some ideas of what I can be working on to prepare for the course.”   

Nine Level 5 in Sports Coaching students are progressing on to the top up degree course with the University of Cumbria on completion of their two year HND qualification at LMC. The students have recently completed a visit to the University of Cumbria to view their facilities and campus.

HND Sports Coaching students at LMC have an excellent range of opportunities to gain essential work experience and Employability Skills to support their career progression pathways. These opportunities include European Visits to Lanzarote for warm weather training & coaching, France for skiing and snowboard coaching and Bulgaria, Hungary & Slovakia for coaching and cultural exchanges.

Students gain their Football Association Level 1 Coaching in Football qualification with Lancashire FA. They also coach and participate in a range of sports sessions including Tag Rugby, La Crosse, Cricket, Change for Life and multi-sport coaching sessions.

In a bid to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity on mental wellbeing, LMC’s Tackling Inactivity project has linked up with mental health charity Lancashire Mind. Throughout the year there have been a series of events organised to raise money and inspire students to become more physically active, and on this occasion the two sports groups took on the daunting challenge of rowing 5km on the River Lune having never been in a rowing boat before.

The John O’ Gaunt Rowing Club hosted the group for the challenge after having recently secured £10,000 of Sport England funding for the purchase of £17,000 worth of stable rowing equipment, which was used on the day. The club has a yearlong project to introduce 350 people to rowing as part of the national strategy to improve the activity levels of the nation. The partnership with the local rowing club was established earlier in the year as part of a joint venture to encourage young people within the student body to have a healthy and active lifestyle.

Tackling Inactivity Project Leader, Adam Cowperthwaite stated “The students did really well with this event, and to raise so much money is absolutely fantastic.  Not only have they conquered a difficult challenge, they have also developed some valuable employability skills and a greater understanding of the benefits of living a healthy and active lifestyle”

Rowing club link and LMC Sports Science Course Manager Steven Sullivan said “The students really took to the challenge, and after a wobbly start their confidence started to grow. They demonstrated excellent team work and leadership skills which allowed them to find an excellent rhythm. The students successfully completed the challenge raising a total of £420, making a large contribution to the £2,000 target that LMC hopes to raise this year.” For further information about community rowing in the Lancaster area, follow this LINK.

Tackling Inactivity ensure that students not only improve their fitness and mental wellbeing, but these events seek to give the students employability skills, such as team work, communication and organisation skills.

Other opportunities have included Trampolining at Jump Rush in Morecambe, a trip to France for skiing and snowboard coaching and Bulgaria & Hungary for coaching and cultural exchanges.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) recognises that the career of a professional footballer can be short, and as such, supports footballers in transitioning to life outside of professional football. The provides funding for footballers to pursue alternate career paths outside of football, which allows the athletes to identify strengths, plan a career pathway, develop networks and helps to reassess finances.

Morecambe FC Head of Education Gary Kelly said “Playing football at professional level is a relatively short term career. Players need to educate themselves in preparation for the transition to an alternative career. It is great to see the lads returning to LMC to further their education. They know all about the quality facilities and tutor support they receive on courses at LMC.”

Defender Ross Hilton is currently enrolled on his Level 3 Joinery Apprenticeship at LMC. Ross has previously completed his Level 2 Joinery qualification at LMC, while Midfielder Charlie Bailey is currently enrolled on a Level 3 Electrical Installations apprenticeship through JTL with LMC. Charlie gained a professional contract with Morecambe FC and has also played for Kendal Town Football Club and currently plays with Lancaster City FC.

Goalkeeper Will Kitchen is about to complete his HND Level 5 in Sports Coaching at LMC. Will is progressing on to his final year top up degree in Sports Coaching & Development with the University of Cumbria. Will currently plays with Kendal Town FC. Will said “I was familiar with the environment and the quality sports facilities at LMC. The tutors at LMC are always supportive and I have learned a lot from them. I gained my Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport at LMC on my Scholarship and now I am about to complete my HND Level 5 in Sport. The Level 5 HND qualification has provided me with a progression route into University to complete my full degree in Sports Coaching. I look forward to starting my degree with the University of Cumbria in September”

Defender Dan Towers recently returned to LMC with a group of learners from Grosvenor Park Primary School where he is studying to become a Teaching Assistant. The learners visit LMC regularly to participate in multi-skills sports sessions delivered by Sport & Public Service students.

As part of their Apprenticeship with Morecambe Football Club, all of the Scholars attend LMC to study for their Level 3 BTEC (Extended) Diploma in Sporting Excellence qualification. The scholars receive tuition from LMC’s qualified staff in a range of disciplines which support their career progression. The qualification is part of the Scholars two year Modern Apprenticeship programme which includes an FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate and an NVQ Level 3 in Sporting Excellence.

LMC delivers the educational programme in partnership with League Football Education and Morecambe FC as their chosen educational provider. The scholars attend college three afternoons per week and also have remote access to LMC's extensive virtual learning environment (MOODLE) to support their academic studies.

The Scholars also receive information, advice and guidance at LMC to support their potential future career pathways including University placements and USA sporting scholarships. This enables the scholars to gain knowledge of a variety of progression routes should they not be successful in achieving a professional football contract on completion of their Apprenticeship.

Charlie Bailey, with Morecambe Football Club Manager, Jim Bentley

Kendal Town FC Goalkeeper, Will Kitchen

The project works by integrating physical activity sessions into students’ timetables, and sessions are tailored to the needs of learners, whether this is as a group or on an individual basis. One group of students which has been reaping the benefits of the project are those studying on the Level 3 Creative Digital Media course, where participating in regular yoga has improved the quality of college life for the vast majority.

However, yoga wasn’t the answer for 19 year old Louis. Louis found that he didn’t get the same benefits or enjoyment from it that his friends did, so instead, he discovered boxing where weekly sessions have helped build his confidence and control his temper, as well as getting him physically fitter.

Louis explains: “Before discovering boxing, I was pretty inactive other than occasional walks in the Lake District with my parents. I think my lack of confidence was the main problem, as well as the fact that I’m not a very sporty person. I was very body conscious and not very happy with the way I look, being very skinny.”

Louis was keen to be involved in the ‘Tackling Inactivity’ project and was very open about wanting to develop his anger management skills whilst improving his levels of self-confidence. The sessions started off on an individual basis to help Louis develop some confidence, and now the sessions have been progressed into an open gym environment combining boxing with a weights programme.

Louis’ mental wellbeing has also significantly improved. “It has helped my anger issues significantly. Previously, I’d get very aggressive and it was a problem for me, and for others around me, so I decided to start doing boxing and working out in the gym in order to relieve a lot of the stress that builds up over the week.

“It has definitely increased my confidence, I feel much better knowing I am improving in something physically. I am also a lot less stressed out, knowing I can take my anger out on a couple of foam pads rather than things which were getting me into trouble.”

Louis’ tutors have also noticed a dramatic improvement. Wendy Bickerstaffe, Creative Digital Media tutor, said:  “There’s been such a change in Louis. Boxing has clearly helped him to develop skills to cope better in situations where he finds himself feeling stressed. ‘Tackling Inactivity’ has been a fantastic project as it’s also been a real success for other students who have discovered yoga for the first time, and are making it part of their weekly routines.”

Louis is extremely grateful for the project, adding: “I’d tell anyone considering whether to get involved with the project to go for it! It’s helping out people who aren’t even into sports to take part in physical activity. It not only benefits you physically in your strength and weight, but also with your mental health.”

Tackling Inactivity Project Lead, Adam, commented ““Louis has really benefitted from the project and has definitely grown in confidence. As well as being more confident to take part, boxing has proven to be a brilliant tool for his anger management and there have been many comments from other staff complimenting his much improved behavior. He loves attending the sessions and I’m sure he will continue his new, more active lifestyle.”

LMC Creative Digital Media student, Louis.

Louis practicing boxing techniques with coach, Vini Hardiman

After completing their Level 1 course, the learners visited the escape rooms, where they had to find solutions to a range of challenging clues in the escape room to release themselves. The learners had to use all the employability skills that they have developed at LMC throughout the year to complete the task.

LMC Sport Tutor and Work Placement Coordinator, Anthony Smith accompanied the learners to the Escape Rooms and commented “It has been a pleasure to teach the group throughout this academic year. Not only have they developed as students, but also as young adults”.

The learners used the skills from taking part in additional activities on their course. These included lateral thinking to solve riddles, specific games to develop hand eye co-ordination and teambuilding activities to develop leadership and team working capabilities.

Learners have also completed a range of visits and tasks throughout the year to further develop their employability skills. These included organising a sports tournaments at LMC, creating a crazy golf course and assisting at the Local Schools Swimming Gala at Salt Ayre Leisure centre.

The learners used the Escape Rooms activity to support their module assignment for Working as a Team and had a fantastic day out.

Sport student Josh Wilson said “The trip was really enjoyable! The group worked really well together doing different tasks and we escaped in the time limit we had’.

Emma Collins and Cameron Neil successfully applied to become FA Activators at LMC and have recently received their Nike sponsored kit from the FA and AoC Sport.

The Activators have developed a range of football related activities which students can access to develop their skills and physical fitness.

Emma delivers a Soccercise class for girls only, an exercise class using footballs, whilst Cameron delivers a range of football sessions including Football Tennis, Mini-games & tournaments and 5-a-side football.

The sessions are available on a Monday morning in the Sports Hall with Cameron and the Dance Studio with Emma and provides learners across college the opportunity to get active by taking part in football based activities. The sessions contribute towards a Sport England strategy called ‘Towards an Active Nation’, which LMC use to provide more accessible opportunities for students to get physically active.

Emma commented “The sessions are designed so that all girls can participate in enjoyable physical activity regardless of their ability level. They are a different type of exercise so there is always something that everyone can work on that suits them. I have really enjoyed designing the soccercise activities and have innovative plans to deliver more sessions”.    

Cameron added “I really enjoy planning, organising and delivering the football sessions. The FA Activator role enables me to develop my leadership and communication skills, which will be essential in accessing my future career opportunities”.

Programme Area Manager for Sport at LMC, Jayne Roper, said “It is fantastic to see Emma and Cameron embracing their FA Activator responsibilities. It will enhance their coaching skills and experience greatly, and contribute towards developing essential employability skills. They are providing sessions to encourage all learners at LMC to be active and engage in physical activity which is a great achievement”. 

The students stayed in Le Morgan at the Equity Club in Risoul, where they settled in to their accommodation and had the chance to explore the local area, where they found all of the local amenities, including the great skiing facilities in the resort.

The students received four hours of ski instructing every day from the resorts fully qualified ski instructors where they learnt the basic skiing techniques to implement in their practical time on the ski slopes. Some students had previous skiing experience, and were more advanced than others, but were able to support their peers in gaining competency in their skiing techniques.

Whilst on a tour of the resort, the students visited an ice skating rink to participate in another Winter Sport. In the evenings, the students enjoyed a range of activities which included team building games and a pizza night. The visit was arranged to enable students to gain experience and learn about another culture, that they normally wouldn’t experience.

HND Sport student Conor Adams said “the trip was really enjoyable and a great experience. The staff and people at the resort were very friendly which created an excellent environment for us all to be in. The instructors were great and they helped me to develop my skiing skills further. I have been on a range of European trips with LMC but this was one of the best trips I have been on. We were able to spend quite a bit of time on our own so it has been a fantastic opportunity to be more independent”.

Sport & Public Services Programme Area Manager, Jayne Roper said “We love giving our students the chance to enhance their employability skills by giving them life experiences. Sports students have already been on trips to Salt Ayre and Blackburn College in the UK, but the European trips are a way of allowing our students to learn in a new environment. It’s these skills and experience that will help our students stand out when looking for a job”.

 Two Level 3 Sport students, Sam Stewart and Nathan Strong, supported the running of the event. They completed a range of tasks that included welcoming the primary pupils, organising the game’s schedule, keeping the scores, timing the games and recording results. At the end of the tournament, they announced the winners and thanked the teams for coming.

Mike Orme, England Lacrosse Development Officer said "Sam and Nathan were a credit to the college and they ensured the competition was a success".

LMC Sport Programme Area Manager, Jayne Roper, added “the event was a great way for the students to experience the organisation and running of an event in a different sporting discipline. It provided the students with essential opportunities to develop their employability skills in a sports event setting to enhance their future career aspirations”.

The competition was a round robin format with the top 2 teams qualifying for the North of England Lacrosse Championships, which will be held on the 6th June at Newton Rigg College. Eventual winners Slyne-With-Hest Saint Luke's Church of England Primary School had a fast athletic team that defended well. St Peter's Church of England Primary School came second not quite managing to reach the high standards they set last year but qualified for the next round.

Over 40 primary schools are now playing Lacrosse and experiencing competition in North Lancashire and Cumbria. In 2016 St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Heysham qualified for the North of England, won it and went to represent the region at the Nationals. They were the first team from this area to reach the knockout stages.

Pop Lacrosse is a fast exciting non-contact version of Lacrosse designed for primary school students. The emphasis is on mixed teams, fun, skill and competitiveness. It is an inclusive game, boys and girls of all ages and athletic abilities can play lacrosse.

Senior Lacrosse is a fast, dynamic contact game, rapidly gaining popularity in the United Kingdom, with England Men’s team currently European Champions, having won the tournament in 2016 in Hungary. England Men’s team have been the most dominant team in Europe, finishing first place in 9 out of the 10 tournaments since 1995. The team will also be preparing for the 2018 Lacrosse World Cup, coming up in July, hosted by Israel. England Ladies were Bronze medal winners in the 2017 Lacrosse World Cup, hosted in Surrey, England, coming behind Canada and the USA.

The origins of Lacrosse come from the Native American Iroquois people, with the name coming from the French colonists who used the name “la crosse”, or “the stick”, after the long-handled stick that the players used.

Primary Schools interested in Pop Lacrosse sessions and the chance to compete in a national Pop Lacrosse tournament, or parents interested in the Penrith or Kendal club, should contact the England Lacrosse Associations local representative Mike Orme at michaelorme@hotmail.com.

Full time Education and Football Programme for 16-19 year olds.

LMC Football Academy players have achieved over forty professional contracts with Morecambe FC since the Football Academy partnership started 20 years ago.

LMC Football Academy players have played semi-professional football with regional teams such as Lancaster City & Kendal Town.

Download the Academy Brochure (PDF) NEW brochure coming soon!

If you want to apply to join the Lancaster & Morecambe College Football Academy, please contact:

Garry Hunter
Email: g.hunter@lmc.ac.uk : Phone: 01524 521250

David Scambler
Email: d.scambler@lmc.ac.uk  : Phone: 01524 521250