If you play a competitive sport you may have the opportunity to join one of our Sports Academies. Sports Academies are a great way to develop and enhance your current sporting skills, as well as make new friends and help keep yourself fit and healthy.

Academy teams compete in regular fixtures and competitions against other colleges on Wednesday afternoons. Each Academy runs alongside academic classes and all students will follow a full-time programme of study.

The Sixth Form offers the following Sports Academies:

Sport Performance Pathway

The Sports Performance Pathway is a bespoke training and development programme for young athletes who compete at a high level in any sport. The Sixth Form boasts elite athletes from a wide range of competitive sports including rugby, swimming and netball.

For those playing rugby at a high level, this pathway is supported by Ryan Brierley, a professional rugby player for Salford Red Devils. Ryan will be involved and act as a 1 to 1 mentor for the students with their action plans.

Meet the Coach:

ZOE LYDON | SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

Qualified with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition and a Msc in Strength and Conditioning, Zoe is also a Level 2 Gymnastics Coach and holds a Level 1 ISAK qualification, essential for sport and exercise science students, nutritionists, sports rehabilitators, and physiotherapists who need to carry out anthropometric profiling of clients.

Football Academy

The B6 Football Academy offers you the fantastic opportunity to develop and excel in football. Training and Academy fixtures take place at the new 4G training facility at Hacken Lane.

Meet the Coach:

CRAIG THOMAS | HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Craig joined The Sixth Form Bolton in 2010 as Sports Academies Lead after a successful career as Academy Director at The Manchester College for FC United Football. Craig previously managed for 12 seasons in the North West Counties Football League with Daisy Hill FC and has worked in the management team at Chorley u21 Development Programme. Presently, Craig is working in the management team at Pennington FC local community club helping with player pathways.

Cricket Academy

The B6 Cricket Academy offers you the fantastic opportunity to develop and excel in cricket. We have partnerships with the Bolton Cricket League and we’re supported by the Lancashire Cricket Board. Training takes place at Bolton Indians and Cricket Academy fixtures take place at a variety of top quality local clubs.

Meet the Coach:

PAUL TEBAY | HEAD CRICKET COACH

Paul is an ECB Level 2 Coach and a former cricket professional. He has gained valuable experience and vast knowledge as a cricket professional and coach. He has coached several young players, most notably Sajid Mahmood who has gone on to represent England at International level. 

Benefits of joining the Sports Academies:

• Individualised high-quality coaching delivered by our specialist coaches

• Access to a sports rehabilitator and therapist

• Full Academy training kit

• Compete in National Academy Leagues and British Colleges Framework

• Acquire coaching and officiating qualifications

• Academy teams compete in regular fixtures and competitions against other colleges on Wednesday afternoons. Each Academy runs alongside academic classes and all students will follow a full-time programme of study

Academy sessions include:

Application process

If you wish to apply for a place on one of the academies, you should indicate in the box on the main application form. You will be invited for a standard admissions interview and once you have been offered a place you will be invited to attend trials. References can also be submitted from relevant sports teachers at your school or your sports coach to support your application.