The basketball academy has enjoyed a fine start in their defence of the BCS West Midlands Performance title. The team currently sit atop of the league with a 4-0 record and they have taken this form into the BCS Cup as they have again made the regional final.

The league campaign has seen them inflict defeats on Worcester 6th Form and Birmingham Met both home and away whilst in the cup, after Gloucestershire College forfeited in the 1st round, they have dispatched of Hereford 6th Form (73-34), Worcester 6th Form (76-59) and now face Newcastle-Under-Lyme College on 26/01/12 .

In the 1st league game the side struggled to gain any real offensive ‘flow’ and struggled to consistently execute around the basket. They didn’t let this distract them on the defensive end though physical play saw them stop Birmingham from pulling too far ahead. Down 8 with 5 minutes to play up stepped 2nd year guard Ben Colley to nail 2 consecutive 3 pointers which gave the college side the momentum they needed to take the game. This was followed by 2 basketballs by forward Ben White in which he was fouled whilst scoring, ensuring an extra free throw, which he stepped up to calmly sink helping the team to a narrow win 67-64.

In the return fixture Birmingham (strengthened by the addition of a number of AASE players) would still not be able to match the college side and Cirencester where much more controlled in the victory winning 71-59.

In the fixtures vs Worcester (linked to the professional side Worcester Wolves) the college team showed their intent from the outset and have controlled the games effectively. This has allowed plenty of players to get minutes and all have stepped up and played well. They comfortably beat them 71-49 (away) and in a tighter affair, due to players being unavailable because of exams, they won 51-39 at home.

The side now travel to Newcastle-Under-Lyme in the BCS Regional Cup hoping to go a step further than last year and make the ‘Elite Eight’ nationally. The side are under no illusions as to the task and face a dramatically improved side that they beat by 40 points last year. Newcastle, in the league below Cirencester, have comfortably dispatched teams in every game they have played so and will no doubt be looking to show they belong in the league above by taking the scalp of college team who have dominated the leagues for the last 2 years.

A large number of college students have also played for the colleges partner side ‘Team Gloster Jets’. This team plays in the national league on the weekends and have dominated this league too currently having won 8 games and losing just the once. The team will hope to continue this championship form to secure the league title.

For further information about the Basketball Academy please email Ben Roper on bxr@cirencester.ac.uk or telephone Ben on 01285 640994.

Cirencester College student Jess Loveless has successfully been selected for the final England BCS squad in Netball.

Jess will now be spending several weekends away playing national matches from now until August. Having already played 2 successful matches in January against Scotland Under 19s and the Scottish Universities Team she will be moving on to Northern Ireland on 10 February for another two matches against the Northern Ireland National Team.

Jess’s success in netball has come alongside her A-level studies and she is also one of a cohort from the College’s new innovative Sports Careers Academy. An exciting approach to engaging sports students with the sports industry and gaining an insight into the career paths available

Jess is very clear about her motivation and explains: "The netball is really competitive at the college, we get to play a good standard and have specialist coaching. Alongside all this I have also clearly had the chance to get involved with the BCS trials."

"When I'm older I want a career in sports but haven’t made my mind up yet as to exactly what I want to do, but hopefully something along the lines of sports physiotherapy, sports psychologist, or sports teacher/coach so joining the careers academy helps me make the choice and gives me a better experience in a working environment so I’m already one step ahead"

Head of Department Rich Stonebridge said " Jess is a great student, she is coping well with combining her undoubted athletic prowess with her studies. We try and help our students meet their sporting goals through tailored individual support and Jess has been great at accessing this support"

If you require any further information regarding any of the sports courses or sports available please feel free to contact Rich Stonebridge rxs@cirencester.ac.uk or telephone Rich on 01285 640994.

Filton College 2 Cirencester College 3
English Colleges Premier League

Cirencester took the lead after a swift counter attack with Josh Morse beating the full back to cross to James Piatek to square ball back to Danny Hale who coolly put the ball past the Filton goalkeeper. Filton were then awarded a penalty and subsequently equalised from the spot just before half time.

In the second half Cirencester scored twice in a matter of minutes from the restart. First Danny Hale scored from the penalty spot after Josh Morse was fouled by the Filton goalkeeper. Then immediately after the restart Danny Hale received a pass from Bradley Hooper, beat the defender and hit a spectacular shot in to the far corner of the net to give Cirencester a 3-1 lead.

Filton College then applied the pressure and scored their second goal with 10 mins remaining but Cirencester defence held firm for a well deserved victory.

For further information contact Steve Lowndes at Cirencester College on 01285 640994  or email Steve on srl@cirencester.ac.uk.

E.S.F.A Under 18’s Colleges’ Trophy Quarter Final
West Herts College 1 Cirencester Academy 4

Congratulations to Cirencester College Football Acedemy who secured their place in the semi-finals of the ESFA Under 18's Colleges' Quarter Finals with an outstanding performance at West Herts College, Watford.

Cirencester started the game in determined fashion, creating several chances and took the lead through James Piatek after a cross from Josh Morse. Cirencester failed to increase their lead and West Herts equalised when a cross from the left drifted into the top corner of the Cirencester goal. But they responded well and after a great through ball by midfielder Sam Farr found James Piatek who was upended in the box and Bradley Hooper scored from the spot.

The second half saw Cirencester pressing forward at every opportunity and James Piatek scored his second goal, stroking the ball past the West Herts goalkeeper after great combination play from Josh Morse and Jack Smith. Cirencester sealed the game when Brad Hooper played a superb ball to Josh Morse who crossed for Jack Smith to coolly score from close range.

Cirencester now travel to Brighton next week (29th February) to face City College, Brighton & Hove in the Semi- finals.

For further information please contact Steve Lowndes at Cirencester College on 01285 640994 or email Steve on srl@cirencester.ac.uk