01Choose
Select everything that interests you. You can choose more than one, and you can change your mind at any time.
02Your profile
There is a place for
Choose at least one option above and your profile appears here. Every card below is a real route through the academy.
01 · Football
High-level coaching, two competitive teams playing in a weekly league, and proven routes into university and professional clubs.
Football places are nearly full, so apply early.
02 · Rugby
Structured coaching, physical preparation and competitive experience, built with our partners at Newark Rugby Club.
03 · Boxing
Delivered with Carl Greaves and Emma Dolan, current British and Commonwealth Champion. Discipline focused, with real competitive pathways.
04 · Netball
Planned coaching, targeted physical development and meaningful match play, delivered in partnership with Nottingham Forest Netball.
A growing pathway, with room for new players.
05 · Gym and S&C
No main sport needed. Learn the principles of training properly, build your strength and conditioning, and lay the foundations for a route into personal training.
06 · Climbing
Use the climbing wall at the YMCA Village to develop movement, strength and confidence. No previous experience is needed.
07 · Golf
Keep your game moving. Golfers study with everyone else in the morning and can leave site in the afternoon to play and practise.
08 · A bit of everything
Not sure yet, or simply love being active? Try the different sports, rotate between them and find what suits you.
03A day in the life
Scroll to move through the day. The afternoon follows the choices you made above.
09:30 Education
Every student, whatever their sport, studies the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Sports Coaching and Development. It is a vocational course, so you learn by doing as well as by studying. Same room, same course, same standard.
12:30 Break
Morning education finishes at 12.30. Take a proper break: eat well, drink water and get changed, ready for the afternoon session at 1pm.
13:00 Sport
Sport practical runs from 1pm to 3pm for every student. Rotate between the sports and facilities on offer, from the pitches and the running track to the climbing wall.
15:00 Study
Sport practical finishes at 3pm. We ask every student to use the rest of the afternoon for coursework and independent study, on site or at home, so the work is done during the day and not late at night. Your evenings are then free for rest and recovery.
04Your week
Education and sport carry equal weight. Your mornings unlock your afternoons: attend your morning session and the afternoon is yours.
Showing the standard week. Choose a sport above to make it yours.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Morning
Afternoon
Work placement is a core, assessed part of this vocational course. Through it we can give students experience of teaching in primary and secondary schools, as well as placements in clubs, gyms and community coaching, matched to where you want your career to go.
We also help students into jobs, including work with the YMCA. Wednesday afternoon is the fixtures window, and the YCDS Hub app always carries your live timetable, fixtures and travel times.
05Try everything
You do not have to choose one sport for two years. Students can try the different sports, rotate between them and make full use of the YMCA Village.
01 · The Village
Coached sessions and home fixtures, steps from the classroom.
02 · The Village
Speed, conditioning and athletics, open to every athlete on the programme.
03 · The Village
Strength and conditioning for everyone, with an academy-rate membership.
04 · The Village
Movement, grip and confidence on the indoor wall.
05 · Carl Greaves' Gym
Padwork and ring craft with an elite coaching team.
06 · Newark Rugby Club
Handling and contact work with our partner club.
07 · With Nottingham Forest Netball
Shooting, movement and match play.
08 · Off site
Golfers can leave site in the afternoon to play and practise.
09 · Freshers' week
Freshers' week finished with a day of padel at THAT Padel Club. Trying something new is part of the programme.
06Where it leads
Whatever your sport, and whatever you choose, the course is built to move you on to your next step. We support every student towards it.
The Extended Diploma carries the same UCAS points as three A Levels. We arrange university visits and support every student through UCAS.
Placements in primary and secondary schools give you real experience of teaching and coaching young people, a strong start for a career in education.
We help students into work, including opportunities with the YMCA, and support apprenticeship applications and the search for a job.
Continue to our Level 4 HNC and Level 5 HND in Sport, taught on the same campus with staff you already know.
08Quick answers
Tap a card to turn it over.
Our next open day is
Monday 4th January
