Selby College Sport & Public Services Newsletter Spring 2025
Department Newsletter
selby.ac.uk
Welcome
Greetings from the Sport & Public Services Department at Selby College!
I am thrilled to introduce you to our amazing department - where passion meets profession, and where every challenge is a stepping stone to success.
In this edition, you can expect to find a wealth of information. We’ll bring you the latest news from our department, keeping you up-to-date with current trends and departmental achievements.
We proudly showcase our students’ successes with many of them now in roles at professional sports clubs, the armed services or progressing on to Higher Education.
These stories are nothing short of inspiring, demonstrating the high level of dedication and talent nurtured within our College walls. Explore their testimonials to understand what truly sets our department apart.
Finally, indulge in some fun facts and figures about the worlds of sport and public services. These enlightening snippets offer a fresh perspective on the diverse and exciting paths you can explore in these dynamic fields.
Selby MP visits Public Services Department
Our Uniformed Public Services students recently welcomed Selby’s Member of Parliament, Keir Mather, in for a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) themed session.
The students planted various objects in the classroom, which Keir was tasked with locating and properly sealing as evidence.
Keir also held a Q&A session with our students where he answered questions about his role and how he helps to influence public services across the district, as well as what it’s like to work at the Houses of Parliament.
The students got to see this first-hand when later visiting Keir at the Houses of Parliament, where he provided them with an exclusive tour of one of the world’s most famous buildings!
They also got to learn about the history of Westminster, the work of the UK Parliament and its relevance today.
Whilst in London, the students also got to explore Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Tower Bridge. They topped the visit off with a shopping trip down Oxford Street and a ride on the London Eye!
Amy O’Keefe Head of Sport & Public Services
Sport Fun Facts
Golf on the Moon
In 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission, making it the longest golf shot in history due to the low gravity.
Olympic Origins
The modern Olympic Games, revived in 1896, were based on the ancient Greek Olympic Games, which date back to 776 BC and included running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing and equestrian events.
The Longest Baseball Game
The longest professional baseball game lasted 33 innings and took eight hours and 25 minutes to complete in 1981.
Public Services Fun Facts
World’s First Police Force
The first police force in the world was started in London in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel.
The UK’s Speedy Ambulance Services
The NHS aims for ambulances to reach life-threatening emergencies in 7 minutes or less, though actual response times vary based on location and demand.
Firefighters Do More Than Fight Fires
They also respond to floods, road traffic accidents and chemical spills. The London Fire Brigade even helps rescue animals stuck in tricky places!
Hear from our Students
Public Services
Amy
I knew people who had studied at the College and always said it was a great place to go. The support from my tutors was fantastic. The course taught me a lot about working in a team, as well as police powers, global affairs and expedition skills, which we were able to put into practice during trips to Pen-y-ghent and the North Yorkshire Water Park. I use these skills all the time in my current position at West Yorkshire Police and I hope to become a detective one day.”
Sport
Leon
I really enjoy the lessons delivered by my tutors and working alongside my fellow coursemates. What I’m learning in the classroom is teaching me how to effectively work with younger children which I’m able to apply when doing work experience. The department also has close links with the NCS, so we’ve been able to take part in a range of activities and trips.”
What’s Next?
After completing a Level 3 Uniformed Public Services course at the College, Luke has progressed onto a degree-level Public Services Management programme right here at Selby College.
Luke said about his Level 3 Uniformed Public Services programme: “I really enjoyed learning about theories and behaviours in relation to crimes. The course allowed me to gain key skills, including communication, team building and problem-solving which I will use in my future career in the uniformed services sector.”
Does university not appeal to you?
Don’t worry, we also offer a FdSc Sports Coaching and Exercise Sciences degree here at Selby College – meaning you can benefit from smaller classes, lower fees and additional support!
Do You Want to Become a Sports Advocate?
If you are interested in developing football and other sports across the College and the community, you have the opportunity to become an Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport Ambassador!
The programme has taken our students to some amazing places in the past year, including the Etihad Stadium and AJ Bell Stadium!
Students Take Part in Emergency Services Exercise
Level 3 Uniformed Public Services students got to see behind the scenes of one of the region’s biggest emergency service exercises at York Minster. Involving police, fire crews and ambulance staff, the operation aimed to test the response of blue-light services to a potential terror attack. The exercise included an acid attack, knife attack and a siege.
The students convincingly portrayed victims in the simulated chemical attack, aiding in the training of emergency services. This practical experience was invaluable for our students, emphasising the importance of hands-on training in emergency preparedness.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
We encourage all of our students to step beyond the classroom to expand their knowledge and experience.
As a sports student, you will have the opportunity to learn from professionals working in the sector and in realistic environments. Our sports students have previously taken part in a range of interactive sessions at CrossFit in Leeds, Sheffield Institute of Sport, Pure Gym in Selby and Station 14 CrossFit in Goole,
where they had their knowledge and fitness tested!
Our Public Services students recently visited Leeds Crown Court where they witnessed real-life court cases and learned how the UK’s judicial system works.
They also participated in police riot training with West Yorkshire Police at its Carr Gate Complex.
Enrichment
It’s not all work and no play in the Sport & Public Services department!
We’ve previously hosted residentials and visits to Bewerley Park Outdoor Centre, Brimham Rocks, Pen-y-ghent, Kirkham Priory and more!
Our students recently took on Ninja Warrior and conquered their fear of heights at the Climbing Depot as part of their adventurous activities unit. This term they also organised a glow-in-the-dark football session, which was lots of fun!
