As a result, the college has been awarded Leadership Academy status – being the only one out of eight colleges in the North West to have achieved this.
Sports Leaders UK work with over 2000 organisations and 90,000 young people each year across the UK to up-skill them.
College students have been working towards their Sports Leadership qualifications which are designed to use sport and physical activity to help young people develop and hone their leadership skills whilst helping themselves and others stay physically active.
A total of 2761 primary and secondary school pupils took part in the School Games in which the college students took an active lead.
Wigan East School Games Organiser, Lesley McGreevy, was impressed with the students’ delivery of practical sessions, officiating skills and help organising events.
She said: “It is very rewarding to see them grow in confidence and skills across the season, becoming reliable and responsible young adults.”
Categories of the scheme are split into three levels:Level One Sports Leader, Level Two Community Sports Leaders and Level Three Higher Sports Leadership.
The College has four students working on the highest Level 3 qualification and have a combined 500+ hours of sports delivery that has been accrued through coaching, organising events or volunteering.
Students who achieve this qualification also gain UCAS points, which are recognised by universities and enhance student applications.
Former Westleigh High School pupil, Katie Barker, is on track to gain a Triple Distinction Star on her Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport.
She has supplemented this by working towards her Higher Level 3 Sports leadership qualification and using it in her pursuit of securing her 3rd black belt in karate.
She said: “It gives me lots of experiences leading in different environments and to be innovative when creating sessions.”
Katie is planning to progress onto the Foundation Degree (FSc) in Sports Coaching next year at the University Centre Wigan & Leigh College and is close to being able to open up her own business coaching Karate.
Sports Leaders UK Partnership Manager, Alan Brierley said: “Sports Leaders UK and proud to have been working in partnership with Leigh College.
“They are recognised for being a true ambassador for sports leadership, offering their students a fantastic pathway of progression, the opportunity to develop key employability skills and gain vital work experience through community volunteering. “The College can be proud of the opportunities they are giving their students and the positive impact this is having on their lives and communities they live in.”