UCLan Sports Studies update

New Associate Lecturer Andrew Sprake (left) is set for a busy few months after taking over management of the UCLanSport Floodlit Cup.

Division Leader Nick Passenger has handed over the running of this year's competition to Andrew, which helps forge links with schools and provides volunteering opportunities to students across a variety of sports programmes.

Preston Grasshoppers have hosted four games so far, with Birkdale High School, St Ambrose, ArnoldKEQMS and Stockport Grammar School all progressing to the quarter-final stage.

The PGDE deadline is fast approaching and it's always nice to receive feedback from our Alumni about their development. Ben McGarry and Matthew Dixon are undertaking their PGDE's at Loughborough University and are doing well in their two initial placements at Ivanhoe College and Trent College (Independent School) respectively.

We also have two graduates on the School Direct scheme, with Megan Greaves excelling at Millfield School near Blackpool and Jonathan Barber progressing well at Lakes College in Cumbria.

Away from teaching, Tom Downward has started his internship at the Isle of Man National Sports Centre, while Jessica Horne has confirmed she's off to Dubai to work for Ethiad Airways.