Bradford College supports young achievers through Bradford Sports Awards

This morning saw the launch of the Bradford Sports Awards for another year with a special kick-off event at Park Avenue Cricket Club. 

Bradford College will be involved in the illustrious awards yet again through significant sponsorship of two awards in the Young Achievers category – Young Sportsman and Young Sportswoman – which were specially picked to resonate with our mission to transform the lives of young people. 

The wider awards ceremony is now in its eighth year and aims to celebrate the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, administrators, and volunteers of all ages and levels from across the Bradford District. 

Speaking at the launch event, Curriculum Area Manager for Sport, Gary Bradwell said: “This is exactly what we’re about. It’s an exciting time for Sport at Bradford College and we’re delighted to be involved in such an important awards scheme on our doorstep. 

“Our vision and direction for the Sport curriculum is about attracting individuals that love sport and celebrating young sporting achievement. It isn’t just about sheer success though, it’s about commitment, motivation and being the best they can be. We’re here to show individuals across the Bradford community that’s there a future in their passions and a career is possible through the medium of sport.” 

It was just last year when a national champion gymnast passed through the College ranks and was able to juggle his Level 3 study with the hard work and commitment needed to become a national champion. This was just the latest example in a long line of sporting successes to come through the Bradford College doors. 

On top of student successes, there’s also plenty of other ongoing developments worth shouting about within our Sports Department. This includes: 

• Our partnerships with the City’s major sports teams – Bradford City and Bradford Bulls – continue to go from strength to strength.  
• Our new Athlete Development Programme will enable certain learners to enjoy outstanding perks – extra coaching from external industry coaches, performance analysis through state-of-the-art technology, bespoke training programmes and much more. 
• Access for the public to high quality facilities, including our industry-standard gym and large indoor sports hall. 

James Mason, co-chair for Active Bradford, spoke about the importance of our contribution to the Awards: “Sponsorship that comes from the likes of Bradford College to support young achievers is so important. A passion for sport could start with a new sport at college among a group of friends and setting a target from there. It doesn’t matter what a young person’s ‘Everest’ is though or what they necessarily achieve in sport, it could just be playing regularly with friends, the important message is to ‘be active’ for your physical and mental health. 

“Bradford Sports Awards is here to singlehandedly wrap our arms around the whole Bradford community, encompassing everything from active participation like walking to school to amateur sport and right through to professional sport. 

“Looking at all our partners, including Bradford College, this is all about collaboration. We’re showing how partnership work can be so important in developing new pathways and this wouldn’t happen without people working together, aligning perfectly with the Bradford College strapline.” 

The Bradford Sports Awards 2024 will take place on 17^th May at Bradford’s LIFE Centre and nominations are now open for any worthy candidates.