Warrington & Vale Royal College kicked off its very first Week of Sports this week, bringing the campus to life with a celebration of all things sport and physical activity.
The week marked the launch of the college’s enhanced extra-curricular sports programme, forming part of its new student experience initiative, WVRXtra.
The week aimed to get as many students as possible involved in sport, while championing the important role it plays in college life and general wellbeing. Throughout the week, students were encouraged to get involved in a packed programme of activities, from joining the college’s football and rugby teams and meeting the coaches at the annual Freshers’ Fayre, to trying their hand at cheerleading, netball, and running taster sessions.
Sport has always played a significant role within the Warrington & Vale Royal College community, and the college’s Sport, Military & Emergency Services Academy continues to go from strength to strength. Last year, the department was awarded CIMSPA Enhanced Partner status, becoming the only college in the North West to hold this title, which recognises the quality and industry relevance of its sport provision. But the college’s commitment to sport extends far beyond those studying a sport-related course. Following recent enhancements to the college’s enrichment programme, WVRXtra, sport and physical activity are now more accessible than ever to students from across the college.
Whether representing the college as part of a sports team, taking part in competitions, joining a lunchtime club or simply trying something new through a taster session, there are more ways than ever for students to get active, get involved and make sport part of their college experience.
The value of sports in our lives is well documented, with Sport England reporting that active young people are happier, more resilient and perform better in their studies. Similarly, the Association of Colleges (AoC) highlights the importance of continuing participation in sport and physical activity during the transition from school to college, noting that engagement can often drop off during this time. It emphasises that sporting opportunities should be “flexible, welcoming and inclusive”, ensuring they are accessible to all students.
This approach is at the heart of WVRXtra’s enhanced sport programme. WVRXtra forms part of every student’s timetable, giving them the opportunity to build sport back into their lives as a regular activity, or get involved in a range of other opportunities shaped around their hobbies, interests and ambitions. The introduction of Dance Fit, yoga, cheerleading, and the new WVR Striders running club also offers a more accessible route into sport and physical activity. Whether students are returning to sport after some time away, looking to become more active or simply wanting to try something new, these activities provide an inclusive, non-competitive environment in which to get involved.
The campus has been bustling during the Week of Sports, with students from across curriculum areas coming together to embrace everything the week had to offer. Reflecting on the success of the week, Curriculum Manager for Sport, Matthew Bold, notes: “It has been fantastic to see students from across the college getting involved. Watching so many embrace sport as a way to support their physical and mental wellbeing, switch off, and simply enjoy themselves has been incredibly rewarding. A real highlight has been seeing students from different curriculum areas come together through our football and rugby teams, building connections through a shared love of sport.”
There are so many opportunities to get active, get involved, and make the most of WVRXtra. Prospective students are encouraged to head to wvr.ac.uk/xtra to find out more about life beyond the classroom, and join the college for an upcoming Open Evening! Visit wvr.ac.uk/openevenings to register your attendance.
