Following the completion of the first year of the two-year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma course in Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness, based at the home of Glamorgan Cricket, all of the students have successfully completed a 90-credit diploma in sport (the equivalent of 1.5 A-levels).
The course - run in partnership with TVS Education and Fitzalan HS - has already seen the students cover modules on Anatomy and Physiology, Sports Development, Sports Coaching and the Physiology of Fitness, and this year they will extend their studies to cover topics on performance analysis ,nutrition and healthy lifestyles as well as undertaking applications, like other students in the Upper Sixth, through UCAS for the next stage in their education.
During this academic year, the students will work towards achieving the full qualification which will be the equivalent of three A-levels, in addition to developing their cricketing ability. and taking part in regular sessions working on specific parts of their game.
“The experience of being based here at the home of Glamorgan Cricket” said Adam Harrison, the course tutor and former Glamorgan professional cricketer, “with its magnificent facilities is certainly a unique learning environment whereby students were gaining invaluable experiences seeing how an international sports stadium operates on a daily basis.”
“Some students also have themselves part- time employment here working for the catering team on match days and other events that are run here regularly. During the year, the students visited The University of South Wales and Cardiff Metropolitan experiencing the facilities that both have to offer. Students also took part in strength and conditioning sessions, Performance Analysis and fitness testing experiments using the sports science laboratories.”
“All of the students worked very hard last year and did very well, with a special mention going to Jack Wright and Charlie Stewart who both achieved a Double Distinction Star, which is the highest grade possible.”
An Open Evening is being run tomorrow (Wednesday) at The SSE SWALEC between 1630 and 1830, and any prospective students for 2018/19 and their parents are encouraged to attend.