Nine South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Sport students have recently returned from an unforgettable international placement in St Lucia after participating in a fully-funded Turing Scheme mobility programme that combined sports coaching, community engagement and cultural exploration.
The group - all completing the Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport at Bangor, Downpatrick and Lisburn Campuses - spent two weeks in the Caribbean in June volunteering with United Through Sport, a charity dedicated to transforming lives through sport by raising health awareness, building life skills and improving education opportunities for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
During the placement, the students delivered inclusive sport sessions for children and young people ranging from pre-school age to under-20s. They coached rugby, football and netball, competed against local teams in mini tournaments and supported charity staff in delivering a mass participation sports programme for underprivileged communities.
The students taking part were Billy Spiers (18, Newtownards), Joshua Fuoco (19, Newtownards), Benjamin Nelson (19, Bangor), Amy Price (18, Bangor), Leah Mason (18, Downpatrick), Adam Hutchinson (19, Bangor), Sam Moffitt (18, Finaghy), Stefan Paryag (19, Downpatrick) and Ollie Keenan (18, Newtownards).
Alongside their volunteering commitments, students immersed themselves in the rich culture and natural beauty of St Lucia. Highlights included a visit to Pigeon Island National Park, home to rare wildlife and historic military ruins, including Fort Rodney, the site of battles between the French and British navies. The group also completed the challenging Gros Piton hike, one of St Lucia's UNESCO-designated volcanic peaks.
Joshua Fuoco (19, Newtownards) who is studying at SERC’s Bangor Campus said, "Having the opportunity to travel to the Caribbean has been amazing. The placement gave me the confidence to encourage children to learn new skills while making sure they were having fun and enjoying sport, all whilst working effectively as part of a team.”
Fellow student, Stefan Paryag, (19, Downpatrick) from SERC’s Downpatrick Campus added, "This has been a fantastic way to complete my Level 3. I believe this placement will have a positive impact on my future career, whatever path I choose. I have developed valuable skills in communication, organisation and teamwork that will help me in any career and have grown in confidence through the experience."
Phillip McKelvey, Deputy Head of School of Art and Sport at SERC, and one of the team who accompanied the students on the trip, said, "This placement provided an exceptional opportunity for our students to develop their coaching abilities, leadership skills and cultural awareness while making a tangible difference in local communities. Through the support of the Turing Scheme, students were able to gain international experience that will enhance their personal development, future studies and career prospects. We are extremely proud of everything they achieved during their time in St Lucia."
The programme was funded through the UK Government's Turing Scheme, which provides students with opportunities to study, work and gain valuable experience abroad.
If you are waiting for GCSE or A level/Level 3 results, visit our Enrolment Hub for guidance on your next steps.
