LEIGH College is celebrating after winning a sporting regional award.

The Leigh Sports Village college has claimed the Regional Leadership Academy of the Year accolade.

Sports Leaders UK handed the gong to the college, a centre of excellent in Sport, as being the best in the area which covers the North of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

It also finished runners-up for the national award to Derby College.

Leigh College sports lecturer and quality co-ordinator Rebecca Armstrong said: “We are thrilled to have achieved this accolade.

"It’s a credit to all the hard work that students and staff have put in to enhance the lives of young people in the borough.”

“Our Centre of Excellence in Sport which has three academies (football, rugby league and sports leaders) allows our learners to maximise their sporting and coaching talents and students will now benefit from a newly added weekly sports leadership session.”

Sports Leaders UK work with more than 2,000 organisations and 90,000 young people every year to pass on skills.

Students final academic year works towards their Sports Leadership qualifications which are designed to help young people develop and hone their leadership skills while staying active.

Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, young leaders contributed to a total of 1,176 hours of leadership.

The college also played a role in the School Games which involved 2,761 primary and secondary school pupils taking part.

These factors contributed to the college maintaining its Leadership Academy status with the award being given out after a success application by Rebecca Armstrong.

All learners complete a work placement every year.

A range of guest speaks also provide talks to the sports leaders, highlighting work experience and employment opportunities.

Leigh Community Trust, Diddikicks and Premier Sport have offered guest speakers with all three offering work placements which has led to one of the Level 3 Higher Sports Leaders being offered a paid job.

Sports Leaders UK partnership manager Alan Brierley added: “Leigh College has built up sports leadership and the panel were really impressed with the delivery, programmes and impact.”

Former Westleigh High School pupil Katie Barker achieved three Distinction Stars on her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport.

At the same time as doing her studies, she carried out her Higher Level 3 Sports Leadership qualification and used it to secure her third black belt in karate.

She said: “It gives me lots of experiences leading in different environments and to be innovative when creating sessions.”