Sport Aberdeen Fitness member Mick Peel shares his remarkable and inspirational weight loss journey and how he lives with vasculitis.
In his younger years, Mick followed in the footsteps of his Mum and Dad who were both in the Armed Forces and decided to join at 16 years old, serving his time with the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards.
Sadly, Mick’s vasculitis started around six years ago; he was faced with frequent trips in and out of hospital for eight months before he was diagnosed.
Vasculitis is the name given to a group of conditions that cause inflammation of the blood vessels. With the disease, it is common to have one attack in 15 years, but Mick suffered 22 attacks in the space of seven months and couldn’t swim because of inflammation to his skin.
Mick described his situation: “I put on 10 stone since everything happened. My mobility was getting worse and worse.
“I’ve always been a big guy but not as big as I got and I had a lot of joint pain. It feels like I’m walking on glass all the time.
“I had bad days; I couldn’t even get out of my bed due to being in so much pain.”
After four years of living with the condition, Mick asked if he could go swimming again as it was his favourite activity and how he built his fitness back up with Sport Aberdeen.
He said: “I started with Steady Steps to get me going – I recognised the instructor Brian Harrison as he was ex-Scots Guards and so am I. Everything is on the chair, focused on getting your strength up again.
“I also found out there were other things so I started playing table tennis at Get active @ Jesmond but that was too aerobic for me, even though everyone there was older than me.
“I went to aqua aerobics classes on a Monday and Friday then started going to Good Boost classes at Tullos Swimming Pool as a man in Bucksburn told me about them.
“I was enjoying the water so much as there’s no impact at all – I’ve always been a really good swimmer and I love it.
“Every Friday morning, I get my bloods done at the hospital, so I was no longer able to go to a circuits class at Get active @ Sheddocksley that I once tried. So, I thought, what else can I do? I want to go to the gym and feel what I can do so I went to Live Well Gym at Get active @ Sheddocksley.
“The instructor Lee Hood is great. He knows what he is speaking about and takes care – he looks at what you can do and gave me a refresher and he is now going to make me a programme.”
Counterweight Programme participation
Mick took part in Sport Aberdeen’s Counterweight Programme from September to December in 2024 – a partnership with NHS Grampian to support those at risk of type 2 diabetes or looking for support with weight management to be active and live well.
When Mick took part in the programme at Get active @ Alex Collie, his target weight loss was 9kg and he lost 12kg. He was 35 stone and is now 26 stone. For the last two months, he has been on a no sugar diet.
Speaking so highly of his experience with Sport Aberdeen, Mick said: “I hope this doesn’t ever end for me because this has been such an amazing journey so far. I don’t know what I’d do without Sport Aberdeen.
“Without the pools, I wouldn’t be here. I would still be sitting in my house getting bigger.
“Sport Aberdeen really have been amazing. All the staff as well have been amazing.
“Every gym you go to, it’s lovely now. I wish I could do more, maybe at some point I will be able to.
“I’m doing stuff with my family which I couldn’t do before thanks to Sport Aberdeen again, it’s been insane.
“It’s not just the exercise – it’s the social side as well. They’re all older than me, people have coffee afterwards. Even during Good Boost sessions, you’re working and talking – that’s the fun part about it.
“If I remember rightly, when I used to go to the gym years and years ago, you know, you’d walk into the gym and everyone was buff and it could be a bit daunting, but not now. Especially not with your classes.
“Spot on for Sport Aberdeen doing that as well. There’s a guy I see at the gym on the bike with one leg and there’s nobody looking at him.
“I don’t know what else to say, the journey has been amazing and it’s only been a year so far.
“I can’t say it anymore can I, Sport Aberdeen has been absolutely amazing and even my family see a huge difference.
“The dark days were bad; I don’t even get there anymore. Yes I have bad days and I have to live with vasculitis, it’s always gonna be there, but I know if I’ve got swimming then I’ve got to get up.
“I know getting there will be so sore but once I’m in the pool, it’s fantastic! Even if I’m not actually swimming, just moving my body in the water really helps.
“Sport Aberdeen has been a god send.”
Mick’s typical weekly routine with Sport Aberdeen now looks like:
Monday: two morning swimming sessions at Get active @ Northfield, with an afternoon gym session at Get active @ Sheddocksley depending on how he feels
Tuesday: rest day
Wednesday: two Good Boost swimming sessions at Tullos Swimming Pool, followed by a public swimming session in the big pool to attempt a couple of lengths
Thursday: rest day
Friday: Live Well Gym at 12:00 at Get active @ Sheddocksley followed by a Good Boost session in Get active @ Northfield swimming pool
“I do eight sessions a week and it’s totally worth the money, it really is. Even if I had to pay £100 to do it, if I could do it, I would be doing it.
“I don’t work, so that was another issue for me. Then somebody told me about Get active for Less so I put my name forward and now I have that so I get a reduced rate.
“If I didn’t have Sport Aberdeen, I’d be lost. It does take up a lot of my week, even at weekends I’m waiting for Monday to come, you know what I mean? “The endorphins help; it makes you happy.”
Funded by Scottish Cycling and its Rock Up & Ride Programme, Sport Aberdeen’s community sport cycling project activator (working in partnership with Sustrans and Aberdeen City Council’s Family Learning Department) delivered a family cycling session at Bramble Brae Primary School in Northfield during the 2024 Easter holidays.
The initial aim of the session focused on educating parents on how to cycle safely as a family, whilst engaging both the children and their parents in a cycling activity. Secondary aims were to teach children to ride and encourage their parents back onto bicycles too.
Young non-pedallers had stabilisers removed and were encouraged to practice balance biking and braking before having a go at pedalling. Whilst these younger children were occupied learning to pedal, parents were persuaded onto bikes to have a go too (instead of watching their children) and a combined session was delivered with both parents and older children. The focus was on basic cycling skills, including braking and using gears, as well as tips on how to cycle safely as a family, the importance wearing a helmet and M-checking a bike before setting off.
Above: Laura Benson, Cycling Project Activator from Sport Aberdeen
Suzy was one of the parents who turned up with her child hoping for them to learn to ride but not expecting to ride herself. Having not been on a bike since she was a child, she was understandably nervous but with her son engaged in a learn to ride session, Suzy had the opportunity to have a go at cycling for herself. She clearly enjoyed being back on a bike and remarked at her surprise and delight at being able to remember how to ride! Turns out it really is “just like riding a bike”.
Suzy was invited to join Rock Up & Ride Thursday morning sessions riding from the Aberdeen Cycle Hub @ Seaton, near the beach. Initially, Suzy was extremely nervous and lacked confidence on her bike, but slowly over the months she attended, she grew in confidence.
The weekly rides are short and social, designed to build up participants’ cycling confidence and are usually based away from main roads. Suzy – along with her peers – has transformed from an initially nervous, unconfident rider, to one who encourages others along to the weekly rides.
Rock Up & Ride provides bikes and helmets to participants who don’t have their own and led rides are a welcome break from the stresses of parenthood. They combine gentle exercise with the experience of being outdoors in a friendly group environment. Over weeks of pedalling together, the group has chatted and enjoyed each other’s company cycling in a variety of weather conditions. Dolphins, skylarks, cold water swimmers and a traditional Shetland herring fishing boat have been spotted – to name a few and the riders have toured the local community hydropower scheme situated on the nearby River Don.
“The rides are relaxed and a good way to switch off for that hour and just enjoy the scenery, chat and building confidence each week“.
– Suzy, Rock Up & Ride participant
Leading into winter, Suzy expressed a concern that cycling in the cold might negatively affect her health, expressing that as a single parent, she couldn’t afford to get ill. The project decided to trial using basic turbo trainers located at the Aberdeen Cycle Hub @ Seaton whenever the weather was particularly cold or unpleasant. Initial comments were that cycling on a turbo was harder work than going outside for rides, but the ladies got stuck in and it is the intention to continue with these sessions whenever the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor cycling, although the preference is always to be outdoors where possible.
Looking forward, Suzy is still cautious cycling anywhere near a road but now rides short, shepherded sections on quiet roads and has voiced an interest in being able to cycle a little further in the future. Her overall aim is to teach her youngest to pedal and take her kids cycling in the future, whilst feeling confident doing so.
“To begin with I was unsure, however Laura makes you feel at ease and the group cycling has increased my confidence at using a bike safely and each week this is growing as my main goal is to take my son for a cycle and if it wasn’t for Laura and her team this wouldn’t be possible“.
– Suzy, Rock Up & Ride participant
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was ecstatic to recently receive a generous donation of £26,000 from Saltire Energy to boost sporting opportunities available for children across local schools.
Along with match funding of £19,000 from Sport Aberdeen, the total contribution was used to purchase 18 pallets of sports equipment including 1,107 footballs, 1,084 beanbags, 391 basketballs, 311 dodgeballs, 129 netballs, 132 badminton rackets and 930 shuttlecocks, and 129 netballs.
As a result of the kind and substantial donation from Saltire Energy, every primary and secondary school in Aberdeen received new sports equipment.
Each school was given the opportunity to request their chosen sports equipment and Sport Aberdeen placed the order.
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team worked determinedly last week to organise and arrange the 18 pallets of equipment delivered to the charity’s Linx Ice Arena venue.
All equipment was delivered to each individual school by the team on Friday 2 May.
Mike Loggie, CEO of Saltire Energy, said: “Initiatives like this are at the core of our values at Saltire Energy, and we are proud to support Sport Aberdeen in delivering such a meaningful project.
“Providing every school in the city with new sports equipment is a great way to give back to our local community and invest in the next generation. Encouraging young people to be active and participate in sport not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also builds confidence, teamwork, and resilience, skills that will benefit them well into the future.”
Graeme Dale, Director of Sport and Active Communities at Sport Aberdeen, said: “A big thanks to Mike and the team at Saltire Energy for the incredible donation, enabling us to purchase a significant amount of sports equipment for local schools.
“When the order arrived and pallet after pallet came off the delivery lorry, it became apparent just how much had been ordered and the difference it would make.
“Sport and physical activity plays a vital role in the lives of children and young people, providing physical and mental health benefits as well as the opportunity to socialise and make new friends.
“I extend my thanks also to our Active Schools team for all their hard work and enthusiasm to sort, arrange and deliver the equipment, it was a huge logistical exercise to get all the sports kit sorted and out to all the schools.”
Get ready to hit the pedals at Sport Aberdeen’s free Cycling Festival, taking place on Saturday 26th April from 13:00 to 15:30 at the Aberdeen Cycle Hub @ Seaton.
The festival will have various partners in attendance including Love to Ride, Tyred and Cranky, Stella’s Voice, Grampian Inclusive Cycling Bothies, Nestrans, Get About and beCyCle.
With multiple different bikes to try, activities going on and even an ice cream van Greig’s Ices, there is something for everyone to get involved in!
All equipment at the event – including helmets – will be provided.
Bookable sessions
There are two sessions which should be booked in advance.
- Learn to Ride
Laura and Ailsa from Sport Aberdeen’s community sport team will deliver Learn to Ride sessions with children who haven’t yet learned to ride a bike or are beginners. Children can be any age to attend these sessions.
The slots will be allocated in 30-minute increments, please email bdouglas@sportaberdeen.co.uk to book.
- Dr. Bike
This session will be delivered by Tim and Darren from Tyred and Cranky. Tim and Darren will carry out basic bike maintenance checks on adult or children’s bikes, ensuring they are safe for the road.
To book a Dr. Bike session, please email bdouglas@sportaberdeen.co.uk
Other activities with no booking required
Everything else going on throughout the festival does not need to be booked in advance.
- Adapted Cycling with Grampian Inclusive Cycling Bothies – Have a go on an adapted bike including an upright trike, handcycle or a recumbent bike.
- Bike skills and agility – Laura and Ailsafrom Sport Aberdeen’s community sport team will lead agility sessions such as cycling through slalom poles, working on overall skills and control whilst on a bike.
- beCyCle Aberdeen – Local charity beCyCle will be on hand to show attendees how to deconstruct a bike, help them learn about the components making up a bike and more.
- Multiactivity games and cornhole – Joe and Rishabh from Sport Aberdeen’s community sport team will lead these fun activities.
- Stella’s Voice Bike Amnesty – bring along an old bike (regardless of its condition) and Stella’s Voice will do it up and either sell it on or donate it. Similarly, anyone looking for a bike could potentially get one.
Don’t miss out, make sure you come along to this wheelie good event!
Please note: parking is limited at Aberdeen Cycle Hub @ Seaton as the area will be used to deliver cycling activity.
It is therefore recommended to park at the overflow car park opposite Mrs Murray’s Cat & Dog Home.
Sports clubs and community facilities across Scotland will benefit from £450k of investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund to local partners, including Sport Aberdeen.
Eight projects are sharing £451,038, meaning much-needed investment in rural communities, areas of deprivation and for projects designed to make sport more accessible and inclusive. The investment has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.
Sport Aberdeen is receiving £26,474 for new floodlights at Northfield Outdoor Sports Centre. The total cost of the project will be £52,949, with the new floodlights covering three courts.
The floodlights will allow for play during the winter months at the recently refurbished courts. Sport Aberdeen is aiming to create a high-quality sport and physical activity hub for the community at Northfield. The refurbished courts have seen a high number of bookings since reopening and floodlights will allow for increased access and give more people the opportunity to play.
The LTA estimates that floodlights add 35% more playing time and can increase activity by up to 50%. The facility will be free to use for all school groups and youth coaching programmes will be developed.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:
“The physical and mental health benefits of sport are well documented, but equally important is the ability to create a space where everyone is welcome to participate at their own level.
“We are facing challenging times with significant financial pressures at all levels. But thanks to the continued commitment of our local partners, projects like this one in Aberdeen means more people will have an opportunity to become physically active and feel part of their local community.”
Mark Pain, Community Sport Manager, Sport Aberdeen:
“Being able to access funding from sportscotland and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to install floodlighting has been transformational for the park’s tennis site in Northfield.
“What was a crumbling, unused set of courts a couple of years ago has been regenerated into a high-quality community sports facility in a priority neighbourhood within the city.
“The addition of floodlighting will provide greater opportunities for year round access to local tennis opportunities, inspiring new players to take up the sport, regardless of age or previous experience.”
The aim behind the sportscotland Sport Facilities Fund is to support capital projects which are designed to create or improve the places where people take part in sport and physical activity in their local community.
Priority is given to projects that widen access to participation or allow people to progress further within their chosen sport locally by removing barriers, particularly in rural areas or areas of deprivation and for under-represented groups.
In addition to the investment, projects can benefit from the expertise within sportscotland’s facilities team to maximise the impact that their plans will have, ensuring they meet the needs of their local communities now and in the future.
More information on the Sports Facilities Fund can be found on the sportscotland website here.
Local charities Sport Aberdeen and Lifestars have teamed up to launch their Inaugural Golf Day, bringing together golfers for an unforgettable day on the greens whilst supporting two worthy causes.
Taking place on Friday 5th September 2025 at Sport Aberdeen’s MacKenzie Championship Golf Course, golfers are encouraged to sign up for a day of competition, fantastic prizes and charitable impact.
Golfers will compete in a Texas Scramble format in teams of four. Guests will gather at The Park Café in Hazlehead Park for delicious pre and post golf food and beverages.
After the golf, there will be a prize-giving ceremony to provide an opportunity to relax, share laughs and celebrate the day’s achievements with fellow golfers. The winning team will have the honour of nominating a school to receive a Sport Aberdeen activity.
This event is more than just a day on the course – it’s about supporting two incredible local charities.
Lifestars supports children with additional support needs, helping them to develop key life and social skills and reach their full potential.
Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. All profits made by the charity are reinvested back into the communities it serves, and it provides programmes to support older adults with long term health conditions, care experienced young people and more.
Willie McPherson, Chief Fundraising Officer at Lifestars, said: “We are beyond excited to partner with Sport Aberdeen for this event! It’s going to be a fantastic day of golf, fun, and raising money for causes that are so important to us. We can’t wait to see everyone there!”
Keith Heslop, Chief Executive Officer at Sport Aberdeen, added: “We are proud to work alongside Lifestars for this event being hosted at one of our golf courses.
“Supporting children with additional support needs and addressing the challenges of child poverty are causes close to our hearts. This event is an important opportunity to make a lasting difference in our community and we are grateful for the support that will help us continue this vital work.”
The cost to enter is £550 per team. To book a place, simply email gkelly@sportaberdeen.co.uk or call 07813 252525.
Don’t miss out on this chance to make a meaningful impact whilst enjoying a great day of golf. Let’s swing for the stars and make a real difference together!
Local Bridge of Don-based business Perform Panel has kindly sponsored 750 medals for this year’s Active Schools Fun Run Series.
Active Schools is a sportscotland initiative, delivered in Aberdeen by Sport Aberdeen, and provides children in all primary and secondary schools with opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.
The Fun Run Series is an annual event taking place in April and May at different venues across the city and is free for primary school pupils to enter.
Primary 1-3 pupils run 400m, Primary 4 pupils run 800m and Primary 5-7 pupils have the option of running 800m or 1600m.
Primary 4 pupils and Primary 5-7 pupils who run 1600m will then be considered for the end of series ‘Champion of Champions’ event which brings together the top runners from each venue.
The main ethos of these events is for children to come together, have fun and possibly try running for the first time!
As well as the provision of medals, Perform Panel has agreed to provide volunteers to help on the day with the individual races.
To find out more about sponsoring other community-based initiatives through Sport Aberdeen, please get in touch with Graham Kelly at gkelly@sportaberdeen.co.uk
To find out more about the Fun Run Series, visit Sport Aberdeen’s website here.
Sport Aberdeen is delighted to be named February’s site of the month for its successful implementation of the ESCAPE-pain hip and knee course.
ESCAPE-pain is a group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain – it integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise schedule.
Previously the programme was delivered by NHS physiotherapy outpatient departments, and this innovative new approach by Sport Aberdeen means it can be delivered by exercise professionals at its venues.
Funding was received from NHS Grampian Charities to deliver the programme, aimed at individuals who are aged 45 years and over who are living with chronic knee and/or hip pain due to osteoarthritis.
The programme runs with a group of participants for six weeks, with two sessions per week, and the first block was delivered by Health and Wellness Advisor Bill Loxton at Get active @ Northfield. Further blocks of the programme have been delivered at Get active @ Kincorth and Get active @ Northfield, with a new block starting this week.
The sessions last for 1 hour, consisting of an exercise section specifically designed to help participant’s knees and hips, then an education section focusing on advice for self-management.
Bill Loxton, Health and Wellness Advisor at Sport Aberdeen, said: “The ESCAPE-pain programme is very good and at the moment we aren’t charging for it – it’s excellent value.
“The programme is evidence-based, proving that through progressive exercise, people are taking less medication to cope with pain.
“The participants do the same exercises every week and we work closely with them so that hopefully they’ll get fitter and stronger and be suffering from less pain.
“The novel thing about Sport Aberdeen delivering this programme is that participants come away with stories and experiences that they can compare. There’s definitely a lot of peer support and the classes involve a lot of discussions.”
Lee Hood, Health and Wellness Advisor at Sport Aberdeen, said: “We were finding that the people attending had a fear that keeping active would make their condition worse, so it’s our job to remind them that as long as the exercises are done correctly, it will be beneficial and helpful.
“We try to change their perception – with the ESCAPE-pain programme, we have been able to prove to people that exercise makes their condition better.
“By delivering these sessions within our local fitness venues, it means that more people living with chronic pain can access them.”
A 67-year-old ESCAPE-pain participant, Pauline, said: “I found the ESCAPE-pain classes very helpful. Lee was a great coach, apart from showing us how to do all the exercises he gave us some excellent information on how to keep active. It was also great to be able to speak to some other participants who were experiencing the same problems.
“I would definitely recommend the programme to others.
“I am now doing the exercises at home and have been doing them in blocks of approximately 20 minutes on most days.”
Referrals to the ESCAPE-pain programme can be made from a GP, health professional or a self-referral through Sport Aberdeen’s website here.
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team and Community Sport team recently reactivated the indoor climbing wall at Northfield Academy as a result of a successful funding application.
The teams joined forces and secured £3.9K in November 2024 from Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership’s Health Improvement Fund, covering the cost of inspection and recertification of the wall and helping to train 32 people to deliver bouldering sessions.
Bouldering is a discipline of rock climbing, performed at a low height without ropes or harnesses, and has many benefits for physical and mental health.
The indoor climbing wall at Northfield Academy was originally installed in 2017 by Dream Climbing Walls. Unfortunately, the wall became out of use due to staff turnover at the school and the loss of qualified teaching staff to support climbing sessions.
A bustling opening event was held on Thursday 27 March to celebrate the facility being back in action, with a presentation from Sport Aberdeen’s Lead Community Sports Hub Coordinator, Joe Coleman.
This was all made possible through close partnership working between Sport Aberdeen, Northfield Academy staff and a range of community groups via the priority neighbourhood partnership that is active in the area.
Joe said:
“It has been a real pleasure to work with the team at the school to get the doors re-opened on this excellent facility.
“It’s so important that young people have access to sports that sit outside of the mainstream provision. I’m stoked to see how enthusiastic the kids at the school have been so far and have no doubt we’ll be seeing a healthy bouldering and climbing scene coming out of Northfield as a result.”
Stacey Stuart, Active Schools Coordinator, said:
“The buzz around the newly reactivated wall has been incredible, from pupils, staff and community partners alike and getting to watch so many people experience bouldering, many for the first time, has been amazing.
“There is definitely potential for so many opportunities now we have the wall recertified and trained staff available to support. It is a real asset for both the school and the local community and I am so pleased to see it being recognised as such.”
To date, more than 50 young people have taken part in school taster sessions; 24 of which are part of the school’s enhanced provision, and 17 one-to-one sessions have taken place.
Following the interest expressed from the taster sessions, school lunch club sessions have been planned, as well as an all-girls bouldering group.
One young person at Northfield Academy commented:
“Through bouldering you get to know different people better. Bouldering makes me feel supported and lets me trust others. I have been able to do a lot more than I thought I could. At the start of the year, on the residential trip, I nearly cried when we went climbing so bouldering has really helped my confidence. Now that I’ve tried it, it would be really good to be able to climb more regularly and have others try it out too.”
Another young person at Northfield Academy commented:
“Bouldering has been a really beneficial experience for me. We get to bond with the people we climb with and the instructors. There are always people nearby to help you if you need it. It’s really fun and you get to learn new skills that you wouldn’t have learnt otherwise. Now that I’ve tried it, I want to share my experience and encourage others to try it too because it’s been so positive for me.”
Looking ahead to the future, plans include attracting further support and funding to reactive roped rock climbing, embedding the activities as a regular part of the curricular offering at the school, supporting local clubs to develop performance pathways and enabling other external groups within the community to use the climbing wall out with school hours.
To find out more about using the climbing wall for bouldering, get in touch with communitysport@sportaberdeen.co.uk
North East Scotland College (NESCol) and Sport Aberdeen have created a new progression pathway to sport and fitness courses for young people on the Active Schools Sports Leadership Programme.
The agreement provides an alternative route to College, increasing access to further or higher education for young people without traditional entry requirements. It also provides a progression opportunity to NESCol for those at the end of the programme.
Delivered by Sport Aberdeen, the programme helps young people aged 14 to 25 develop leadership skills through volunteering in sport and physical activity opportunities within their school or community. They receive regular support and training, with the programme running at various venues across the city.
NESCol offers a range of sport, fitness and uniformed services courses from introductory to HND level. The bronze, silver and gold awards achieved from the Sports Leadership Programme will be recognised as an alternative, or partial alternative, to entry requirements for these.
Graeme Dale, Director of Sport & Active Communities, Sport Aberdeen:
“Sport Aberdeen is delighted to continue working closely with NESCol. With this innovative new partnership agreement, we can further enhance our support to school pupils in our programmes, such as our award-winning SPACE programme for care experienced young people, to help them achieve sustained positive destinations at NESCol.”
Alongside the new agreement, Sport Aberdeen has confirmed updated placement opportunities for students studying HND Sport Coaching & Development and Fitness, Health & Exercise.
These placements will provide students with real-life experience in a wide range of areas, with a focus on gym instruction, sports coaching and sports development.
Ross Connell, Curriculum Manager (acting) for Sport & Fitness, NESCol, said:
“NESCol has a long-standing partnership with Sport Aberdeen, and we are excited to renew this collaboration to ensure our students have access to industry expertise and relevant placements to enhance their College experience.
“Through the Active Schools Sports Leadership Programme, participants gain valuable skills and experience, with the opportunity to progress onto NESCol’s sport courses—turning their passion into a future career.”
Study Sport & Fitness at NESCol
Completion of the Active Schools Leadership Programme is recognised as alternative, or partial alternative, entry requirements to:
- Introduction to Sport Coaching, Fitness & Exercise (Bronze/Silver Award)
- Advanced Sport Coaching, Fitness & Exercise (Silver/Gold Award)
- HND Coaching & Developing Sport (Gold Award – partial alternative)
- HND Fitness, Health & Exercise (Gold Award – partial alternative)
- Level 2 Uniformed Services (Bronze/Silver Award)
- Level 3 Uniformed Services (Silver/Gold Award)
Explore all full-time sport, fitness and uniformed services courses