Sport, Military & Emergency Services
The sport, military & emergency services courses at Warrington & Vale Royal College are fun, fast-paced and highly active. Our sport courses are suitable for those who have a genuine interest in developing their understanding of sport, health, fitness and leisure whilst enhancing their skills further.
With various sports qualifications to choose from, our BTEC sport & physical exercise courses are great for school leavers, whilst our fitness instructing courses are suitable for adult learners. Our military & emergency services courses are ideal for individuals who want to make a real difference to society and are looking to pursue a career in the bluelight and/or public services.
We have courses suitable for both school leavers and higher education students. Thanks to our link with the University of Chester, HND Public Services students are offered direct entry on to the university's Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up programme, subject to entry criteria.
Trips and visits
Trips and visits are an important component of our sport, military & emergency services courses courses. Designed to test your limits and build up your resilience and teamwork skills, trips tend to be based around sporting and outdoor pursuits. Previous students have visited Low Mill Outdoor Centre to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award, taken part in conflict management training with the police at Lea Green, and taken on challenges at an Army Reserves Unit.
Sport students have recently visited Manchester Velodrome, Sheffield Institute of Sport and various universities. They also lead primary school sporting activities across the town, organising and officiating football and inclusive events.
Industry links
Military & emergency services students will benefit from the college's impressive industry links with the Army, RAF, Navy, Police, Fire Service and NHS. Our HND Public Services will benefit from our link with the University of Chester as they will be offered direct entry on to the university's Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up programme, subject to entry criteria.
Our sport department work closely with Live Wire, Warrington Wolves Foundation and Warrington Schools Sports Partnership. Studying sport allows you to work with a range of schools, developing your coaching and leadership skills. Our sport and military & emergency services students are regularly visited at college by guest speakers and have taken part in practical challenges with visitors such as the Royal Marines, British Rowing, Goalball UK and England Handball.
I am
16-18 Years Old
If you are an active and energetic person who enjoys motivating and helping others, a sports or public services course could be the right pathway for you. They are designed to provide you with all of the practical skills and underpinning knowledge required to achieve employment in these rewarding sectors. Starting from Level 2 Sport or Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity which is great for students looking for a Sports Coaching course, ranging all the way to higher education, where students can go on to study university level sport courses, with our HND Sports & Exercise Sciences or our HND Public Services Courses!
Level 2 Military & Emergency Services
Full Time
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Level 3 Military & Emergency Services
Full Time
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Level 2 Sport
Full Time
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Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity
Full Time
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HNC Public Services
Full Time
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HNC Sports & Exercise Sciences (Coaching Pathway)
Full Time
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HNC Sports & Exercise Sciences (Rehabilitation Pathway)
Full Time
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HND Public Services
Full Time
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HND Sports & Exercise Sciences
Full Time
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I am an
Adult Learner
Our adult courses are a great way to gain a sports qualification, from part-time personal training and fitness courses through to full-time sport & exercise science HE courses.
While some courses are suitable for beginners, a selection of the courses will require students to already have a relevant qualification. Whether you are looking for a career change or are already working within the industry and want to boost your skills, our sport, military & emergency services courses will equip you with all the knowledge you need to achieve your goals.
Thanks to our new link with the University of Chester, our HND Public Services students will be offered direct entry on to the University of Chester’s Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up degree programme, subject to entry criteria.
We are also pleased to be an educational partner of CIMPSA, the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector. As a registered charity, CIMPSA is committed to supporting, developing and enabling organisations to inspire our nation to become more active. By partnering with CIMSPA, we are dedicated to aligning our curriculum with the priorities of our local sport and physical activity workforce and its employers.
Level 2 Certificate Instructing Gym-based Exercise
Part Time
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HNC Public Services
Full Time
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HNC Sports & Exercise Sciences (Coaching Pathway)
Full Time
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HNC Sports & Exercise Sciences (Rehabilitation Pathway)
Full Time
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HND Public Services
Full Time
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HND Sports & Exercise Sciences
Full Time
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Level 3 Certificate Personal Training
Part Time
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Level 3 Diploma Exercise Referral
Part Time
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I am a
Higher Education Learner
Our HNC and HND sports and public services courses help students prepare for their next steps, whether they intend to head straight into employment or continue their study at university. Building upon your prior knowledge, these courses will expand your understanding of the sport and public services sector and lead you towards a specialised career.
Thanks to our new link with the University of Chester, our HND Public Services students will be offered direct entry on to the University of Chester’s Policing, Law and Investigation Level 6 top-up degree programme, subject to entry criteria.
We are also pleased to be an educational partner of CIMPSA, the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector. As a registered charity, CIMPSA is committed to supporting, developing and enabling organisations to inspire our nation to become more active. By partnering with CIMSPA, we are dedicated to aligning our curriculum with the priorities of our local sport and physical activity workforce and its employers.
Meet our students
Having completed his Level 3 qualification with us, Harry decided to stay on at the college to complete his level 4 and 5 qualifications. This decision was made easy due to the great relationships he built with the teaching staff in our Sport, Military & Emergency Services Academy.
After completing his level 5 qualification with us, Harry now hopes to complete further qualifications in sports analysis and gain more coaching qualifications to help him excel in his line of work.
“I love the feeling of ‘community’ around the college. Everybody sings from the same hymn sheet, allowing you to feel comfortable, welcome, and motivated during your studies.”
“I cannot thank my tutors and the college enough for their unwavering support of my career journey. They have been completely flexible around my professional commitments, helped to develop my broad knowledge of the discipline of sport, and seem to be just as proud of me as people that I have known for years!”
Joe Bullock, current Warrington & Vale Royal College student, has a hugely successful sporting career as a professional rugby league player. Joe, who has completed his HNC and HND Sport & Exercise Science qualifications at the college, is now enrolled on our Level 3 Personal Training course as he wanted to learn what it takes to be a personal trainer and deliver sessions.
On his time at the college, Joe said: “The best aspect has been the flexible learning and high-quality teaching from friendly tutors.”
Meet our tutors
Matt Bold
Matt Bold is Curriculum Manager for Sport and Public Services, and has over 20 years' experience in the industry.
Matt has worked as head of faculty, head of sixth form and assistant principal in schools across the North West. Matt says: "It is an immense pleasure to watch our students progress from studying with us onto rewarding careers. It's great seeing the students become inspired to make a positive impact."
Debbie Brooke
Debbie Brooke, a former police constable for Greater Manchester Police, is the college’s expert Military & Emergency Services tutor with over 15 years of teaching experience.
“Being able to have a positive impact on students and how they learn by constantly reinforcing and recognising their achievements is the best thing about my job. I support them throughout their entire journey, watching them grow and gain confidence in themselves and their abilities so that they are able to achieve their dreams.”
Chris Percival
Sport, Military & Emergency Services Tutor Chris Percival began his career by coaching children at a local club and achieving FA Level 1 and Level 2 in Coaching Football as well as The FA Level 3 in Coaching Football. He then went on to achieve a degree in Sports Coaching from the University of Central Lancaster, before undertaking his PGCE.
Alongside university, Chris coached primary school children as part of Manchester City Football Club’s ‘City in the Community’ project. He also gained coaching experience at Burnley FC Academy and Wigan Athletic FC. In addition, Chris worked for Opta Sports as a Performance Analyst, analysing professional rugby matches. Chris also co-founded a football coaching business, CC Football Academy, coaching football to over-5s in the local area.
Chris began teaching to share his experience and motivate young people to develop their skills. Chris says the best part of teaching is, “nurturing and supporting students to achieve their goals.”
Explore our facilities
Sport, Military & Emergency Services Academy
Our newly-refurbished, state-of-the-art Sport, Military & Emergency Services Academy houses modern classrooms and a specialist fitness suite, which contains industry-standard equipment such as strength and conditioning machines, a free weights area and a range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment. In addition, our HE students have on-campus access to our BodPod for advanced body composition analysis. The students also regularly take part in various indoor and outdoor activities at the nearby state-of-the-art Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub.
HE Learning Centre
The Craig Atherton Higher Education Learning Centre is a dedicated area for students on higher education programmes. Located upstairs in the college’s Learning Resource Centre (LRC), it offers a quiet study area and bookable pods for group work.
The LRC itself provides a range of resources, including PCs and loanable laptops, as well as study spaces for students using their own digital devices. It also hosts pop-up support workshops run by the college’s welfare and learning support teams, covering topics such as study skills.
Choosing a career based on Sport, Military & Emergency Services Back to top
20 March 2025
Meet Tim, a retired project manager retraining as a strength & conditioning coach
5 February 2025
Meet Declan, HND Public Services student and aspiring firearms officer
23 January 2025
Warrington & Vale Royal College students make Warrington Wolves’ women’s first team
21 January 2025
Level 3 Military & Emergency Services student, Ewan Scott, on applying for the Marines
28 August 2024
Warrington & Vale Royal College celebrates successful HND Public Services students who have progressed to the University of Chester
7 June 2024
Level 3 Military & Emergency Services student gains dream career with Royal Air Force!
13 May 2024
From Sweat to Success: Former sport student Nathan Hawkins turns passion into dream career as personal trainer!
9 April 2024
Sport student signed by Wales Rugby League Women’s Squad
15 March 2023
Warrington & Vale Royal College’s new link with the University of Chester will open a door into industry for HND Public Services students
2 March 2023
Sport student and global skiing success thanks the college for its support
22 February 2023
Apprentice Reviewer Jenny Tickle gets put through her paces with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
19 November 2022