Member Article

Abbey College Manchester to Expand Sports Courses to Offer Professional Cycling

Students of Abbey College Manchester will be told to get on their bikes next year when they enrol on the new Academic Studies with Cycling Training programme, launched in partnership with Manchester Cycling Academy.

The innovative course, which will be the first of its kind in the UK and is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will see aspirational cyclists from around the globe combine high-quality education with best-in-class daily professional coaching.

Students on the pioneering programme will attend academic classes in the morning where they have flexible options to study A-Levels, GCSEs, or International Foundation programme, and then have the invaluable opportunity to participate in cycling coaching at the National Cycling Centre or on the lanes of leafy Cheshire in the afternoons.

Manchester Cycling Academy has many years of elite sports experience and students will receive expert coaching and guidance allowing them to succeed on the bike and off it. The course has the flexibility to coach ‘elite’ students who are dedicated to improving their cycling performance to compete on a world scale or students who just enjoy the sport and want to get better while focusing on their studies.

Abbey College Manchester, part of the Abbey DLD Colleges group of institutions, also offer international football and basketball programmes in conjunction with IHM Football Academy, a sister organisation of International House Manchester and Manchester Giants, where students pair GCSE, A-level, and International Foundation Programme qualifications with intensive training. The college is also adding tennis to its portfolio of sports programmes, where students will be able to receive professional tennis coaching three afternoons a week at the Manchester Tennis Centre.

Chris Randell, Abbey College Manchester Principal, commented: “Our innovative Academic Studies with Football Training Programme has been hugely successful since launching a few years ago and cycling was a natural addition.”

“An increasing number of students are looking to benefit from the unique opportunities that we offer. Whether they are seeking to pursue their sporting ambitions while gaining the best possible education or are keen to reap the benefits offered by sport on providing a break from academic study, Abbey College is gaining a reputation for both innovation and excellence.” He said.

“Over the last two years, graduating students from our football programme have progressed to a variety of highly-regarded universities including University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, University of Central Lancashire, and Loughborough University to programmes such as Economics, Sports Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Engineering.” Chris Randell added.

Manchester Cycling Academy is a growing sports education provider which delivers high quality cycling provision across the North West of England in partnership with Sports Governing Bodies, Local Authorities, Academic and Commercial Partners. They already run a successful education programme which offers a BTEC Sport programme and they also have a partnership with British Cycling to run the Sport England funded, Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE).

Stefan Hopewell, Director of Manchester Cycling Academy said: “We are very excited at the prospect of working with Abbey College and welcoming cyclists from around the world to Manchester.”

“Manchester Cycling Academy offers a wonderful experience for everyone who attends. Much of the activity will be based at the world class and newly renovated ‘Medal Factory’ which is the National Cycling Centre in the east of Manchester and on the same routes that Olympic medallists use every day. The young people who attend will be able to emulate the world’s best whenever they train.”

“Our expert coaches are used to working with elite young riders and will encourage the riders to be the best that they can be. They are experts in their fields and have a wealth of knowledge and experience meaning that they will get expert tuition, coaching and guidance throughout their time with us.”

“Manchester has regularly been voted the UK’s best sporting city and is seen by many as being one of the world’s greatest sporting destinations and we look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful home”.

The course is set to start in September 2023 and applications are being accepted now.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melissa Chawner .