Getting involved in sports at MK College offers much more than just staying active – it’s about improving skills, creating lasting friendships, and discovering new opportunities. We sat down with Edward Lamb, Sports Development Manager at the College, to discuss how students can get involved in a wide range of sporting activities, from casual ‘turn up and play’ sessions to competitive team sports. With options for coaching qualifications, inter-college competitions, and even a new Esports Club, MK College has something for every level of interest and ability.

Q: What does your role as Sports Development Manager at MK College entail?

A: My main goal is to get students involved in sports, whether it’s through playing, officiating, or organising events. I handle everything from running tournaments to coordinating funding bids, organising training, and referring students to relevant courses. Ultimately, I want to create more opportunities for students and staff to participate in sports.

Q: What sports opportunities are available for students?

A: We offer ‘turn up and play’ sessions that are free for all students – no need to sign up in advance. There’s always something going on in the sports hall to keep everyone active and engaged. We have a sport and fitness timetable posted on noticeboards around the campus with all our offering. For those interested in regular play, we also have structured teams, including football and basketball academies, and badminton, cross country, cricket, netball, futsal, volleyball, golf, hockey rugby, and table tennis teams, who participate in inter-college competitions, tournaments and meets. We have a well-equipped gym and offer regular exercise classes too, such as Boxercise.

Q: How does MK College support talented athletes in balancing sports and academics?

A: MK College is a TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) college, which means we’re part of a programme that helps young athletes manage both their studies and high-level sports training. As a TASS college, we offer resources, flexibility, and guidance to support these athletes in balancing their commitments and achieving success in both areas. We’ve had some exceptional athletes come through here, including students who have represented England.

Q: Are there opportunities for students to gain coaching or refereeing qualifications?

A: Absolutely. We facilitate officiating and coaching qualifications that students can access for free or at a heavily reduced rate, though there’s an application and selection process. Last year, we helped 12 students gain refereeing experience, and we also support those interested in pursuing coaching badges and officiating courses. It’s a fantastic way to gain practical skills and additional qualifications while studying.

Q: How can students get involved?

A: Students can reach out to us at sport@mkcollege.ac.uk, find information on the MK College app, or check out the MK College Active Instagram page @MKCollegeActive. Updates are also available on Teams under College Life > MKC Active (Sports).

Q: Is there an Esports Club at MK College?

A: Yes, we recently launched an Esports Club for students interested in competitive gaming, which we’ll be running on Mondays. It’s all part of expanding our sports offerings to ensure every student has something to get involved in.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: We’re always working to grow our sports programmes. Whether it’s through new activities or helping students gain qualifications, we want sports at MK College to be accessible and meaningful for everyone. So, if you’re a student here, don’t hesitate – there’s something for everyone to get involved in!

To learn more or get involved, contact us at sport@mkcollege.ac.uk.

AJ Bouchada’s journey from student to Governor at MK College emphasises the power of following your passion and inspiring others. Now, as a successful founder and creative director, she returns to the college as a Governor, intending to give back to the college that helped shape who she is today. Here, she shares her story in her own words.

“When I first joined MK College, I was trying to find myself. Coming from an academic family, I chose a safe mix of A Levels – Maths, French, Chemistry, and Drama – but it didn’t feel right. I soon realised my real talent was in Drama. So after my first year of sixth form, I left high school and found my way to MK College.

I enrolled in the BTEC Performing Arts course in 2008, which became a turning point for me. My peers and I loved staying at college late, rehearsing, experimenting, and trying new things. It was pure passion, driven by a love of performing, without any thoughts of making a living from it. I just loved what I was doing.

In my final year at college, my tutors Michelle Lockwood, Ashley Spears, and Tim Sidall guided me to apply to the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. There, I earned both a BA and an MA in Drama Applied Theatre and Education, with the aim of using drama in educational and community settings – places where I could make a real impact.

After graduation, life got real, and I faced a tough time getting a foot in the industry. I travelled to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where I met my husband. Back in the UK, I worked with the National Citizen Service (NCS), engaging with young people and setting up residential experiences. This led me back to MK College, as NCS was based there.

By 2020, I rediscovered my passion for the arts and founded Cebiso Studio with my husband. It has been a challenging but rewarding journey. The studio is our pride and joy. We have poured everything into it. We’ve worked with amazing clients like Top Gear and Hyundai, and even created visuals for the auction of Lewis Hamilton’s F1 victory car – the first AMG Petronas.

I’m thrilled to return to MK College as a Governor. A former tutor reconnected me with the College, and with encouragement from my mentor, I took on the role. I never imagined I’d join the Board of Governors, but it feels right. They wanted someone with a strong connection to young people, and my background with NCS fit the role well. It’s a role I’m still discovering, but it feels meaningful.

I’ve come to love the unique energy of Milton Keynes, from tech innovation to the creative arts scene and all the exciting things happening here. While many see London as the only place for artists, I’ve found the city to be vibrant and full of potential. I hope our students will go out, gain experiences, and then return to Milton Keynes to share their knowledge and inspire the next generation.”

To find out more about Governance at Milton Keynes College Group, visit Governance – MK College.

Milton Keynes College Group governor, Manish Verma, is Head of Digital Online Banking at Santander UK.  An MBA and chartered accountant he has held senior roles across the financial services sector from New York, to Singapore to Japan. , Governor at Milton Keynes College Group

When I did my training in accountancy, I was working and learning, employment and education side-by-side.  That’s one of the things I most like about being a governor at Milton Keynes College Group.  So many of our learners have a similar opportunity, to earn while they learn, and it’s not just about having a salary.  They pick up all those skills around responsibility, collaboration and communication which are so sought after by employers, at the same time as gaining the knowledge and experience they need for a successful work life. 

Throughout my own career, I’ve always been looking forward, and that’s how I see my role at the College Group.  It’s estimated that by 2050, the number of people living in Milton Keynes will have grown from 270,000 (as recorded in the 2021 census) to 410,000.  The population will get younger, and we would expect to see the historic population increase of those from ethnic minorities to continue.  

To serve its people effectively, a public education institution needs to reflect the local population.  Our learners are currently closely representative of our community and we will continue to strive to ensure that that remains the case.  While the changes we’re expecting to see in the number of people from minorities in our city will be significant in the coming decades, we are already planning for that future and recognise it as a crucial part of our responsibilities.  The number of people we educate and train will need to rise in line with this growth.  We need to think carefully about how we can accommodate this population increase and this is something that’s high on the Board’s agenda.    

Our colleagues at Milton Keynes City Council are also looking to the future.  It’s become clear that the city is crying out for a university, and various ideas have been put forward for consideration.  Certainly, education in all its different forms will need to continue to develop our already close relationships to support that growth.  We all have a role to play in providing that talent pipeline local business needs to thrive and expand. 

This might sound like a simple process, but there’s actually a lot to think about and work through with a wide range of stakeholders.  We will continue to adapt our curriculum to meet these growth needs.  Our courses are constantly under review to ensure that we modernise and evolve in line with the requirements of local business and the aspirations of our people.  For example, we are already introducing courses designed to create the talent pipeline in demand by the emerging green industries.  We have a good track record of responding to need, and this agility and adaptability will continue to be a key strength in the future.  Further evidence of that adaptability can be seen with our South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT).  We took advantage of the opportunity offered by government to build it, winning what was the largest funding grant of its kind, specifically to expand our capabilities to meet that other great call on the talent pipeline, the digital sector.   

The College Group already serves a mixture of cultures and backgrounds, and we know that people from different traditions work and thrive in different ways and environments and we’re proud to be welcoming to all.   

Throughout what will undoubtedly be a period of rapid change, we’re very conscious of being an organisation that is about people.  Education can help people to achieve their dreams, to realise their ambitions, to feel proud of who they are as members of a functioning, constructive society.  The College Group’s guiding principle is Fairer Futures for All.  “All,” is really important.  It doesn’t just mean serving people from different cultures, but different genders, differing neurodiversity, disabilities and abilities.   

Our door is open to everyone and will continue to be so. 

As a city built from scratch, Milton Keynes has always been a great and noble mixture of people from everywhere.  It is our job to make sure the one thing they have in common, is the same level of opportunity. 

To find out more about Governance at Milton Keynes College Group, visit Governance – MK College.