Ashton Adcock | BTEC L3 Sports Coaching and Development

Learner Ashton Shares Journey to Sporting Aspirations at Loughborough College “If you’re passionate about sport…there’s no better place”

BTEC learner Ashton had plans of attending Loughborough College since her early teens, when she began following the internationally renowned Loughborough Lightning women’s rugby team. Now playing for England’s national U18 rugby team, Ashton’s journey has been a transformative experience, taking her from dreams of taking to the pitch, to now representing her country on the international stage.

“I chose to study at Loughborough College because of the rugby programme,” said Ashton. “I like that my course is a blend of practical, presentations, and coursework, so it’s a more varied approach to learning.”

The Sports Coaching and Development courses at Loughborough College offer learners who aim to evolve their futures into coaching and training the opportunity to get first-hand experience in psychology, health and wellness through a series of vocational modules. As a current rugby player and aspiring coach, the variety of skills offered on the course were ideal for Ashton. “You learn so many new sports and ways to coach people with different abilities and talents. It’s really inspiring and leads to more ideas when it comes to practical sessions,” she continued.

Ashton’s sporting aspirations mean she spends time at the England Rugby campus, but says she always feels supported by her tutors and confident that time spent at Loughborough College is preparing her for the next stage in her career.

“The tutors are friendly and so supportive. They’re always there if you need anything and when I’m away, they ensure I have received all the work I need to help me stay on top of my studies. They offer great advice and motivate me to do my best.”

As part of the Loughborough Sport partnership with Loughborough University, learners are offered different opportunities to develop and expand their skillset, including the Sport England Talented Athlete Sport Scholarship (TASS) Programme, for which Ashton was selected as the Loughborough College rugby ambassador.

After completing her studies at Loughborough, Ashton is looking to study at university and find work as a rugby coach alongside her playing career and degree. Reflecting on her time at Loughborough College so far, Ashton said, “If you are passionate about sport and coaching, there’s no better place. The tutors are so knowledgeable and really do help you be the best version of yourself. They care about your studies and your sport, and there’s so much support in balancing both.”

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