Sporting Academies create pathway for students to combine academic and sporting excellence

20 October 2023

A new strategic partnership between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Academy of Sport and Pembrokeshire College Sports Academy will provide a pathway for students to combine their academic and sporting aspirations through Further and Higher Education.

Staff and students wearing blue sports t-shirts and holding others up for the camera.

UWTSD has led the development of a framework to enable collaboration with other institutions within the region including earlier this year the launch of the formation of a network of Technical University Institutes bringing together higher and further education with both institutions a part of this development. In fact, Pembrokeshire College and UWTSD have already collaborated on key academic decisions for nearly over a decade and this partnership further strengthens the relationship.

The learner is central to the UWTSD Group and our commitment to providing an excellent learning experience is at the heart of our activities. Both Sporting Academies aim to support students involved in high-performance sports while they study.

Students can access professional-level coaching and strength and conditioning training, as well as advice on nutrition, diet, and lifestyle. They’ll also gain access to sports facilities across both institutions, opportunities which provide the environment for students to compete in the Welsh Colleges and British Colleges Sport Competitions at Further Education and the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) leagues, events, and championships at Higher Education.

A classroom full of male students in blue t-shirts; a staff member is talking while a large screen displays the words – The Rugby Academy.

Lee Tregoning, Head of the UWTSD Academy of Sport said:

“We are enhancing the linkages between further and higher education to create this unique pathway for academic excellence and high-performance sport that will be for the benefit of our learners. We welcome the opportunities this creates for greater alignment between the two sporting academies. We aim to develop and enhance our partnership and to maximise further, higher education and progression opportunities for learners in both academia and sport.”

Elaine Rees Head of Specialist Vocational Education at Pembrokeshire College added:

“This partnership strengthens the opportunity for students to continue their education and sporting journey in West Wales. The services that both Academies provide gives a typical student a five-year pathway where they can train and play at the highest level in College and University Sport while also achieving their academic goals.”