Explore Sport
Ashton Sixth Form College are dedicated to increasing sports participation and enhancing the student experience through a varied activity programme. Sport enrichment programmes are tailored by the demand from students with new activities being added each year, as a result provision may vary each year. Sessions cater for all abilities from beginner to advanced level students.
As of September 2024, we offer Men's and Women’s Football, Basketball, Netball and Rugby.
As part of the Association of Colleges we have the opportunity to enter a number of regional competitions with the aim of qualifying for the National Championships which take place every year. Together with the traditional college sports including Football, Netball, Basketball and Rugby, Ashton students are also able to display their sporting talents in Badminton, Cross Country, Athletics, Cricket, Golf, Hockey, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball, depending on student interest.
For more information about how to get involved in our sport activities click here.
Men's Football
The first and second men’s football teams train and play weekly in competitive fixtures in the North West College’s league. Ashton Sixth Form College has been extremely successful: Northwest College League Champions 16/17 – Men’s Football 2nd Team, Playoff Cup Winners 16/17 – Men’s Football, University & College County Cup FA Finalists 16/17 – Men’s Football, Northwest College League Champions 15/16 – Men’s Football 1st Team. The football team also enter the AOC Regional competitions and have regularly qualified for the Nationals where we are always competitive. On the back of our success we have seen a number of students throughout the last few seasons sign for both professional and semi-professional contracts with local clubs.
Women's Football
The women's football team steadily progressed and now compete weekly in the North West College’s Football League. Ashton Sixth Form College was successful in gaining funding from the English Colleges Football Association in order to develop women’s football over the last three years. This has enabled us to provide more opportunities for women to play sport at the college, as well as to help create links with local schools and clubs. The college is looking forward to seeing what the future brings for women's football at Ashton.
Men’s and Women’s Basketball
The college basketball team play weekly fixtures representing Ashton in the North West Colleges league. Recreational basketball is also available to those who do not want to play competitively.
Weekly training sessions for both men and women are led by the extremely talented former Manchester Giants player, Ingus Bankevicks. The strength of our basketball team grows each year. Over the last three years we have seen a rapid increase in participation and a demand for the creation of a second team which the College look to accommodate for September 2024.
Netball
Our netball team play weekly fixtures representing Ashton in the North West Colleges League. Recreational netball is also available to those who do not want to play competitively. Team spirit is key to our netball team and there are weekly training sessions led by our fantastic Tameside Netball Coach, Nick Hill.
The team have gone from strength to strength year on year and are extremely competitive now with everyone, seeing many of our players play for local and professional clubs, as well as representing our College for the England Colleges and England Netball U19 teams.
Men’s and Women’s Rugby Union
We have been working in partnership with England Rugby Football Union in recent years. After a tough selection process and an application for one of just twelve places in the country, Ashton was selected to take part in the 'Focus College' programme. The programme ensures rugby is much more accessible to 16-19 year olds and in its first year demonstrated incredible promise.
This year we started a new partnership with Sale Sharks Rugby Club, where we are lucky enough to have one of the Sale coaches train and coach our players in sessions and for matches. The partnership also provides other opportunities to within the Sale Sharks set up.
Training for students takes place at the college campus and matches are held at Aldwinians RUFC in Audenshaw throughout the year as well as rugby festivals we take part in.
Ashton Sixth Form College receives funding solely dedicated to helping both male and female students progress within the sport and improve the strength, transition and sustainability of rugby at this level.
September 2023 saw the men’s rugby union team enter the North West College’s Rugby Union League for the first time in the colleges’ history. It is a challenge students are looking forward to and each academic year we will welcome new students to join our thriving team.
If you already play sport at a competitive level, be sure to let us know and we could support you through the Ashton Elite Programme!
