Talented footballers at Bede Sixth Form College will be flying the flag for North-east colleges after securing a place at the AoC Sport National Championships.
Training is now stepping up a gear for the young athletes as they prepare for the tournament taking place this spring, considered the UK’s biggest further education students’ sports event.
Fending off tough competition in the regional heats, Bede student Archie Hughes said: “I believe we have a good chance as we have a good group of players.
“It felt great to compete and win the regionals. Now, the national championships will give us chance to compete against different opponents from across the country.”
All part of the college’s Spennymoor Town FC-backed Under 19s Bede team, the players aren’t afraid of some hot competition. They compete in the National Football Youth League, the highest level of under 19s football outside the UK’s professional football academy system.
The Association of Colleges Sport National Championships kicked off with 10 regional seven-a-side tournaments across England and Wales last year.
The North-east heat took place at Durham University where Bede topped the table, clinching the win on goal difference.
Coach and Spennymoor Town FC centre-back Ben Beals said: “The team performed well with five wins and two draws, and only conceding one goal in the process. They were buzzing to go through to the nationals and now can’t wait to get started.
“Playing in the seven-a-side format allows players to experience a different type of competition to the league games and it is a chance to express themselves in a different way.”
For Archie, this is another highlight in a season littered with personal success.
The 18-year-old from Great Ayton has been selected, for the second year, to play in the England Colleges’ Football Association (ECFA) National Men’s team. He was selected to play for the Spennymoor Town FC first team in a winning game on their recent Durham Challenge Cup-run. And he has also made it to the bench on a first team league match.
Archie said: “Playing as part of the academy at Bede I knew there was the possibility of a pathway through to playing for the first team.”
The Bede team are coached by Spennymoor Town FC player Ben, they receive game analysis from Alex Clark, and know that the club’s assistant manager, Ian Clark, and manager, Graeme Lee, are always keeping a watchful eye.
Happy to get his first experience playing with the first team, Archie said: “I was a bit nervous going in but there was more excitement than nerves. It was really good experience and just shows you the level you need to get to.”
Ben said: “It is exciting to see players starting to get time playing and training with the first team. It’s always a proud moment to see the lads I am coaching out on the field playing alongside me.”
As for the National Championship, which takes place from April 17 to 19, he added: “It is going to be a tough competition, but as a team they have good chemistry and we have some real talent in the squad.”
Part of the college’s Institute of Sport and Education, enabling talented young athletes to develop in their sport alongside their college education, Spennymoor Town Men’s Football Academy at Bede is holding an on-pitch talent ID session for Year 11 students on Tuesday February 24 at the college. The event aims to identify high-potential players looking to train in a professional training environment alongside their college education. To register visit: Spennymoor Town Men's Football Academy @ Bede Sixth Form - Talent ID Session
