A new Sport Development Manager has been appointed at Newcastle College, with the aim of widening sport opportunities for students and staff.
Brogan O’Connor hopes to use her previous experience as Student and Staff Participation Manager at Northumbria University and as sports staff on Royal Caribbean ships to develop sport, health and wellbeing activities outside of the classroom.
These opportunities will encompass everything from turn up and play sessions, to setting up leagues and participation in AoC competitions.
Brogan commented: “The benefits of these sessions are huge. Alongside the positive impact that sport and physical activity have on physical and mental wellbeing, these sessions will also offer additional benefits such as opportunities to meet fellow students and staff, getting active and having fun, especially for those who wouldn’t consider themselves as ‘naturally sporty’.”
The extra-curricular activities won’t just stop there – as part of the programme, three student volunteers have been recruited to help ensure that sport at the college is accessible and visible to all students.
The roles consist of a Mental Health Ambassador, Inclusion Ambassador and This Girl Can Ambassador. They will gain experience setting up and promoting sessions and activities, running activities and working on campaigns, while benefitting from internal and external training from the AoC. They’ll also be supported with guidance from the Sports department to bring their own ideas to fruition. As part of AoCs ‘Leadership Academy’ they will also collaborate with students from other colleges on larger campaigns and activities, allowing them to network and share best practice.
Sport Activities
Turn up and play sessions
- Volleyball – Sports Hall, Tuesdays, 10-11am
- Badminton – Sports Hall, Tuesdays, 12-1pm
- Men’s 5 a-side football – Sports Hall, Wednesdays, 1-2pm
- Netball – Wednesdays 2-3pm
- Basketball – Sports Hall, Thursdays, 12:15pm – 1pm
Club sessions
- Indoor Hockey – Sports Hall, Mondays 12.15-1pm
- Men’s Futsal – Sports Hall, Wednesdays 11-12
- Men’s Rugby – Meet in the Sports Hall, Wednesdays 2pm
- Women’s Football – Meet in the Sports Hall, Monday and Fridays 12.30
Other sessions
- Female only gym sessions – Rye Hill Gym, Wednesdays 8am – 9am and Fridays 12.15-1pm
- LGBTQ+ Multisport sessions – Sports Hall, Mondays 4pm – 5pm
- Care Leavers Multi Sport Sessions – Sports Hall, Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm
Further sport opportunities will become available in the future, with plans for intramural leagues, and competitive leagues to launch in the Spring Term.
To get involved in any of the sport sessions/volunteering opportunities email Brogan at brogan.oconnor@ncl-coll.ac.uk or for the turn up and play sessions, simply just turn up!