YOUNG soccer players at Buxton & Leek College have ended the season on a high after being placed at the top of their league run by the AOC (Association of Colleges).
Playing against teams from the Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire area, the Buxton & Leek team won six of their eight matches, drew one and lost only once. They had the privilege of playing all their home matches at the Silverlands – home of Buxton FC – where winter weather nearly put paid to some of the fixtures. But all games went ahead in spite of wind, snow and ice and the team emerged victorious.
Coach David Shemilt, who works as Enrichment Co coordinator at Buxton & Leek College, said: “I am really pleased that our team has enjoyed a taste of success this year because we want to build on our football programme here in college and I think that success breeds confidence and attracts new players into the game.”
He named team captain Ryan Byrne, a Business student from Buxton, the top scorer of the season while Jamie Prince, a Sport student from Buxton, took the title of Player of the Season with fellow Sport student Stephen Mellor, also from Buxton, named Young Player of the Season. Also commended for their leadership skills were Aidan Derbyshire from Stockton Brook and Peter Bonsall from Leek.
Earlier in the season two sports students from the college were appointed Further Education Football Activators (FEFAs) and are working with the English Colleges’ Football Association to drive up participation in the sport.
George Mycock, 19, from Leek, and Luke Stow, 16, from Buxton won £600 worth of funding to attract more players into the game at both Buxton and Leek campuses with Luke’s goal being to get more disabled students taking part and George focussing on female participation.