Sport, Military & Emergency Services
The Sport, Military & Emergency Services courses at Warrington & Vale Royal College are active, engaging, and career‑focused, designed to develop your knowledge of sport, health, fitness, and leisure.
Thanks to our partnership with the University of Chester, HND Public Services students can progress directly onto their Level 6 Policing, Law & Investigation top‑up degree (subject to entry requirements). We are also proud to be the only college in the North West to hold CIMSPA Enhanced Partner status, recognising the quality and industry relevance of our provision.
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. We are also proud to be the only college in the North West to hold Enhanced CIMSPA Partner status, recognising the exceptional industry relevance and quality of our sport provision.
I am
16-18 Years Old
If you’re an active, energetic person who enjoys motivating and supporting others, a Sport or Public Services course could be the ideal pathway for you. These courses are designed to equip you with the practical skills and essential knowledge needed to progress into rewarding careers within these sectors.
You can start at a level that suits you, from Level 2 Sport or Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity, which are ideal for those interested in Sports Coaching, right through to higher education. Students can continue their studies at university level with our HNC/HND Sport & Exercise Sciences or HNC/HND Public Services courses, opening the door to a wide range of professional opportunities.
Level 2 Sport
Full Time
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Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity
Full Time
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Level 2 Military & Emergency Services
Full Time
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Level 3 Military & Emergency Services
Full Time
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HNC Public Services
Full Time
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HND 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 Sports & Exercise Sciences (Coaching Pathway)
Full Time
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HND Sports & Exercise Sciences (Rehabilitation Pathway)
Full Time
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I am an
Adult Learner
Our adult courses offer an excellent route into gaining a sports qualification, ranging from part‑time personal training and fitness courses to full‑time Sport & Exercise Science higher education options. Some courses are ideal for beginners, while others require a relevant prior qualification. Whether you’re looking to change career or already work within the industry and want to strengthen your skills, our Sport, Military & Emergency Services courses provide the knowledge and practical experience needed to help you achieve your goals.
Thanks to our partnership with the University of Chester, students on our HND Public Services course can progress directly onto the Level 6 Policing, Law & Investigation top‑up degree, subject to entry requirements, offering a clear pathway into specialist roles within the sector.
We are also proud to be an Enhanced CIMSPA Partner — the only college in the North West to hold this prestigious status. CIMSPA, the professional body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector, is dedicated to developing and supporting the workforce. Our enhanced partnership reflects our commitment to delivering industry‑aligned training and ensuring our curriculum meets the needs and priorities of local employers and the wider sport and physical activity sector.
Level 2 Certificate Instructing Gym-based Exercise
Part Time
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Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
Part Time
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Level 3 Diploma Exercise Referral
Part Time
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HNC Public Services
Full Time
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HND 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 Sports & Exercise Sciences (Coaching Pathway)
Full Time
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HND Sports & Exercise Sciences (Rehabilitation Pathway)
Full Time
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I am a
Higher Education Learner
Our HNC and HND Sport and Public Services courses are designed to prepare students for their next steps, whether they choose to progress into employment or continue their studies at university. Building on your existing knowledge, these higher‑level courses deepen your understanding of the sport and public services sectors and support your progression into specialist careers. Thanks to our partnership with the University of Chester, HND Public Services students can benefit from direct entry onto the university’s Level 6 Policing, Law & Investigation top‑up degree, subject to entry requirements, providing a clear pathway into professional roles.
We are also proud to be an Enhanced CIMSPA Partner – the only college in the North West to hold this prestigious status. This recognition reflects the quality, relevance, and employer‑aligned nature of our sport provision. As the professional body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, CIMSPA works to develop and support the workforce. Our enhanced partnership demonstrates our commitment to aligning our curriculum with the needs of local employers and the wider industry, ensuring students gain the skills and knowledge the sector values most.
HNC Sports & Exercise Sciences (Coaching Pathway)
Full Time
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HND Sports & Exercise Sciences (Coaching Pathway)
Full Time
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HNC Sports & Exercise Sciences (Rehabilitation Pathway)
Full Time
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HNC Public Services
Full Time
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HND Public Services
Full Time
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HND Sports & Exercise Sciences (Rehabilitation Pathway)
Full Time
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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
6 February 2026
Warrington college becomes the only one in the North West to achieve Enhanced CIMPSA Partner status
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
19 December 2024
Level 3 Sport student, Lily Dennett, makes semi-finals of College Fitness Games
13 October 2024
Meet cadets Ranya Percy and Olivia Williams - two of our Level 2 Military & Emergency Services students.
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
Sport student signed by Wales Rugby League Women's squad!
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
22 August 2023
Sport student Millie Simpson is celebrating an incredible achievement!
4 May 2023
Public Services student, Teodora Taneska, gets dream job offer!
27 March 2023
Level 3 Sport & Physical Activity student Ella Moreman scouted for a coaching position at Warrington Wolves!
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