Football and Basketball Academy Campaigns Get Underway

Football Results:
South Devon College 4 – 2 New College Swindon (1st Team)
New College Swindon (2nd Team) 3 – 11 Exeter College

Basketball Result:
New College Swindon 61 – 69 Exeter College

It’s a big year for the Sports Academies representing New College Swindon. The decision was made at the end of the last academic year, to move all teams over to AoC in order to compete against the best sports college’s in the country on Wednesday afternoons.

Preparations have been excellent since the beginning of term with students from a wide range of subjects from both campuses filling the squads. However, it was a tough opening round of fixtures yesterday in the South West leagues, and the results reflected this.

It was an early start for the Men’s football 1st team travelling to Torquay for a Championship (Div A) fixture. However, the away team started the brighter and went in front in the 10th minute, with Callum Tregunna opening the scoring. However South Devon College started to grow in to the game and soon found themselves in front, going into the break with a commanding lead. A change of system for New College at half-time, saw an instant response with Dennis Nae finding the top corner from range. Ultimately, several chances were missed and with the post rattled on several occasions it was just not meant to be. Finally, falling to a 4-2 loss against an established Pro Direct Soccer Academy representing South Devon College (Man of the Match: Lewis Newcombe).

Men’s basketball also stepped into AoC action, in which was their first competitive outing since the introduction of the academy several years ago. Exeter College we’re the visitors to Queens Drive, and this proved to be a close encounter. An excellent first outing for the team, against strong opposition saw them lead for the majority of the game. But a few errors in the final quarter, saw them fall to a narrow defeat with the final score being 69-61. And if this performance is anything to go by against league favourites, then we can expect the team to be competing in the top half of the league this season.

Finally the Men’s football 2nds opened up their Championship (Div B) league campaign at home. Losing 11-3 to a very strong Exeter College (goal scorers: Brandon Guy, Meldern Periera & Jack Campbell-Walker. Man of the Match; Brandon Guy).

Next Wednesday 5th October, it’s AoC Cup action. With the Men’s football 1st team travelling to Bath in the Premier Cup, and the basketball team hosting St. Brendan’s at Queens Drive.

(Report by Ryan Taylor: ACM Society / Sports Academy Manager)

All teams are still on the lookout for players. Please contact the relevant coaches below if you require more information or would like a trial for any of the teams:

Men’s & Women’s Football: (ryan.elliott@newcollege.ac.uk)

Men’s Basketball: (antonio.wilburn@newcollege.ac.uk)

Sports Academy Manager: (ryan.taylor@newcollege.ac.uk)

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