Talented young athletes at Bede Sixth Form College are once again proving they’re at the top of their game.
The college in Billingham has seen a fabulous four students selected for the Association of Colleges Sport’s England squads.
Representing their country, Rhianne, 18, and Amelia, 17, are now playing in the AoC Sport National Colleges’ Netball Team.
While footballers Archie, 18, and Annie, 17, will take their places in the England Colleges’ Football Association (ECFA) National Men’s and Women’s teams.
“I feel very excited and proud,” said sport and exercise student Annie, who is certainly no stranger to the competitive game.
Taking up football when she was just six, she played for Teesside RTC Under 10s, before going on to join Sunderland FC Under 14s PGA, Norton and Stockton Ancients, and Middlesbrough Under 23s.
Annie, of Stockton, is now a centre midfielder for Middlesbrough FC Women.
To also be part of the new line-up for the AoC England team, she said: “It’s going to be a great experience, learning lots of new things. Playing with teammates and opposition of such a high standard can only help me improve further.”
Netballer Amelia, from Linthorpe, is also looking forward to the skills and experience she’ll pick up training with different coaches at a national and international level.
Currently playing for Leeds Rhinos Yorkshire NPL, Wales Under 19s and Headlanders in Darlington, it is hard to imagine how she will fit it all in. But she said: “You just make it work because you enjoy it.”
Studying A levels in biology, chemistry and psychology at Bede, she added: “Every coach is so different. It really helps to branch out.”
Meanwhile, looking forward to the challenges ahead, Rhianne, of Sunderland, and Archie from Great Ayton, know what to expect. This is the second time in a row they have made the AoC Sports England team sheets.
“I loved it last year,” said Leeds Rhinos North East NPL and Grangetown Netball Club player, Rhianne, who didn’t expect to be selected for a second year.
The public services student added: “When I went to the trials, I didn’t think they would choose me again. It’s a massive confidence boost that they did.”
Footballer Archie feels the same. He has had a great year in his sport both as part of last year’s ECFA National Men’s team and Bede’s football academy in partnership with Spennymoor Town FC.
A sports coaching student, he said: “Last year was amazing with the AoC Sports’ England team as it was a new experience. The highlight was playing a tournament in Italy. It has helped my game as it has shown me lots of different styles of play from other countries.
“It felt amazing being put forward again. Now, I’m looking forward to playing games all over the country and abroad.”
Rhianne, Amelia, Archie and Annie are all part of Bede Sixth Form College’s Institute of Sport and education (ISE), a programme that offers talented young athletes the chance to continue to develop in their sport alongside their college education.
Bede’s ISE lead, Oliver Hodgson, said: “We are incredibly proud to see Bede students selected to represent England colleges for the second year running. This is testament to their hard work, individual talent and relentless commitment to their sport.”
