Make sport your goal

Apr 23 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

A North East college has joined forces with Hartlepool United Football Club to create a new ladies’ team, coached by the only female footballer to reach 100 caps for England.

East Durham & Houghall Community College has collaborated with Pools to not only create a ladies’ football team for 16-year-olds and over, but also to run Level 2 and Level 3 sports BTEC qualifications from Victoria Park.

Gillian Coultard, who was capped for England 119 times, will work with college staff and Pools to decide who will be on the over-16s team as well as to help students achieve academic grades off the pitch.

Gillian, the female football academy coach at East Durham and Houghall Community College, said: “To link up with Hartlepool United is a fantastic opportunity for the college as it gives students the chance to learn while enjoying their favourite sport.

“My playing days are now over but I am thrilled to give students the support they need to gain their sport qualifications and I’m proud to be in a position to coach the new Pools ladies’ team.”

The BTEC sports qualifications, which will be held at Pools, involve subjects on the body in action; health, safety & injury in sport; training & fitness and sports nutrition. Students may be entitled to earn up to £30 a week for full attendance.

Ian Prescott, principal and chief executive of East Durham and Houghall Community College, said: “These exciting new courses based at Hartlepool United combine the college’s reputation for educational excellence with Hartlepool’s fantastic facilities, providing students with the ideal environment where they can achieve the best academic grades they are capable of.”

The BTEC sports qualifications will begin in September and the Pools ladies’ team trials will be held at the college’s Howletch Campus from 6.30-8pm on May 20, July 15, August 19 and August 26.