Dave Sutton – Sporting Icon and Inspiration in Education nominee
Dave Sutton – Sporting Icon and Inspiration in Education nominee
Dave Sutton began his career as an apprentice with Stoke City Football Club and now supports thousands of people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
He is a sports lecturer and runs the Academy of Sport programme at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, where he has worked for the past 20 years.
Under his leadership NSCG’s Academy of Sport has been ranked as the highest performing sports offering in its sector in the West Midlands and sixth nationally.
His role includes supporting more than 7,000 full-time college students to stay active alongside their studies.
He leads coaches to ensure students can compete in sports including as part of seven football teams, two basketball teams, three volleyball teams, three netball teams, a pan-disability football team and many more.
Dave has been nominated in the Sporting Icon and Inspiration in Education categories of the Your Heroes Awards by Mark Kent, Director of Professional Services at NSCG.
Mark said: “I can wholeheartedly state that Dave is one of the most passionate and genuine people to support the sport and physical activity agenda within not only the college but also local community.
“He has at every opportunity placed our learner’s experiences and opportunities to fulfil their sporting and physical activity goals at the very highest level of priority and I sincerely hope that he can be recognised for such stellar work.
“The exceptional work by the Academy of Sport is not something that has happened without an incredible amount of time and effort, all of which Dave has been at the forefront of as a driving factor.
“Dave recognises that students gain a great deal from not only competing but also taking a leader or volunteer role. As such Dave has worked closely with various governing bodies, AoC Sport, Todd Bailey and several other key partners to ensure students can be proactive as leaders in sport. Whether that’s running sessions, becoming an FA leader or any other opportunities, Dave is always keen to support develop the next generation of sports leaders.
“Needless to say, the activity over the past 12 months is fantastic but something Dave has incrementally built over his tenure.”
Dave said: “It’s a really nice gesture from Mark. It’s nice that he would consider me to be put forward for a Your Heroes Award.
“Working with the students and seeing them play sport is my reward. I love watching our students play all kinds of different sports. Watching students express themselves, win competitions and represent the college is fantastic.”
He added: “I started out as an apprentice at Stoke City so sport has always been part of my life. It’s always been a passion of mine and something I enjoy watching and teaching.”