York College partnership with York Knights strengthens ahead of historic Super League season

As education partners of the Knights and York Valkyrie women’s team, we are now looking for students to start a new course at our Sim Balk Lane campus in September, which will combine elite-level rugby league coaching with a Level 3 qualification.

It will also offer the chance to play games for both the rugby club at age group level and the College’s Development Centre team. 

To further underline our backing ahead of the Knights’ historic 2026 campaign, we have entered into a one-year sponsorship deal that will see the York College logo feature on the back of their home and away kits.

That agreement is set to see players make public appearance at York College events, ticket offers made available for students at selected home games and one fixture being designated an Education Day, where our course provision will be promoted to supporters at the match.

York College will also become the new sponsors of the Try of the Month competition. 

The two-year York RLFC Scholars – Sports Coaching and Development BTEC Extended Diploma, meanwhile, will see students work towards a nationally recognised qualification that provides a strong foundation for careers in sport and progression to Higher Education. 

Alongside this, learners will gain professional coaching accreditation with CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) and achieve a Level 1 Rugby League Coaching qualification, ensuring they graduate with industry-recognised credentials.

Two mornings a week will be dedicated to academic study at College, while there will be two further days that focus on coaching, strength, conditioning and technical training with Knights and Valkyrie coaches, using York St John University’s 3G pitch and Strength & Conditioning Suite.

The intention is for students to represent College’s Development Centre team in Wednesday fixtures, alongside potential games for Knights and Valkyrie at weekends.

Units covered in the Level 3 course will encompass topics such as health and wellbeing, sports development, self-employment in sport and physical activity and applied coaching.

In addition, students will be required to complete a research project and offered the opportunity to lead applied, vocational coaching sessions with a range of partner employers from the sports and coaching sector and gain additional, specialist coaching qualifications.

Along with equipping learners with the skills and knowledge needed to progress into professional sporting careers, the diploma’s academic component will provide a pathway directly into industry or Higher Education to study a degree in courses such as Sports Coaching, Sports Massage or Sports & Business Management.

The course provides a route into a multitude of roles such as Sports Coach, Sport Community Activity Officer, Fitness and Wellbeing Adviser or Personal Trainer.

On the importance of the rugby club partnership, Ken Merry, Principal and Chief Executive of York College & University Centre, said: "I am delighted that York College has been given the opportunity to show our support to York Knights and York Valkyrie by having our logo appear on the shirt of our city's rugby league team, especially as this is the first season in Super League for the Knights. 

“Our partnership with the club is one we really value and we will be looking to support the development of future rugby league talent through the York Knights/York Valkyrie x York College Development Centre and will be cheering on both teams this season."

On the sponsorship agreement, York RLFC chairman Clint Goodchild added: “We’d like to offer a very warm welcome and heartfelt thank you to York College. Your support means far more than sponsorship - it’s a genuine investment in our players, our people and the wider York community. Thank you for being part of the journey with us.”

Applicants for the York RLFC Scholars – Sports Coaching and Development BTEC Extended Diploma will need to achieve five GCSEs at grade 4, including in Maths and English.

For more information and to apply for the course, please click here 

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