College Award Ceremony Honours Students

A student who has just returned from a tour in South Africa with the British Amateur Rugby League Under 19 squad has been awarded a special Student of the Year award at the Leeds City College Awards ceremony.

Liam Thompson, 19, has been studying on the Btec National Diploma in Sport Performance and Excellence at Horsforth Campus for the last two years. He has just returned from an 18-day tour playing five matches against South African teams. The British team won every match and emerged as one of the most successful touring teams.

Liam joined more than 60 other student winners at the ceremony at Leeds Town Hall on 24th June, where he was presented with £250 and a trophy to recognise his achievements, which include gaining 18 straight distinctions on his course.

Richard McCosh, Liam’s sport tutor, said: “Liam has been an outstanding student since he started at the College. He has fully dedicated himself to his studies and has gained distinctions in every unit on the course which is a fantastic achievement. Being selected to travel to South Africa represents the pinnacle of his successes, which also includes representing Leeds City College Rugby League team and Queens ARLFC. He has been a joy to teach and we all think he is destined for great things in the future.”

An Apprentice of the Year was also awarded – electrical installation apprentice Joel Tate -alongside two Highly Commended students – Loice Mwerahare from Adult and Community Education at East Leeds and Michelle Myers, media student from Park Lane Campus. Each received £100. All the other winners each took home £25 Love2shop vouchers and a commemorative certificate.

The ceremony’s guest of honour, poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan, took to the stage to congratulate the students and had the audience in stitches with his witty anecdotes and observations about Yorkshire life. He was joined by principal Peter Roberts and chair of governors Neil McLean. Friends, family, tutors and industry figureheads were also invited to share the celebrations.

The Leeds City College Further Education Awards ceremony was established in 2009 to recognise the achievements of the College’s students, rewarding those which have shown exceptional talent but also those which have worked hard to overcome adverse circumstances and set a shining example to their peers. The ceremony was held in conjunction with VQ Day (23rd June), a national celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers and employers.

Press Contact
Zoe Ward
Marketing Assistant
Leeds City College
t: 0113 284 6223
e: Zoe.Ward@leedscitycollege.ac.uk