Adam started his Sports Studies Applied Science National Diploma aged 16 and played in West Suffolk College’s prestigious Rugby Academy. He has fond memories of his time at college and the people he met. The skills he developed at WSC set him in good stead for a successful and varied career; involving being a firefighter, a fitness coach, and later a mortgage broker overseas.
How did you come to join Eastern Education Group?
I joined in 2009 when I was 16 to study Sports Studies Applied Science National Diploma. The reason was because it offered an alternative to going to 6th form at school. I wasn’t someone who enjoyed school, so going to college to study a subject I was passionate about was a really good option for me. The college also offered the chance to be part of a high-performance Rugby Academy. I had ambitions of making sport my career, so to be able to train every day and play against other top colleges in the UK which were linked to Premiership teams like Saracens was a great way for me to play rugby and still get a good education alongside each other.
The academy had been through some incredibly successful years and had shown a pathway to not only play against some of the best colleges in the UK, but also to pursue adult rugby and higher playing teams. Nigel Brown, the Head of the Academy, had good links with Cambridge Rugby Club who were in National 1 tier 3 of English Rugby at the time. Multiple College Academy players had progressed from playing at West Suffolk to Cambridge and this was something that interested me. I knew some of the College players already from playing in older age groups than me at Bury Rugby Club, therefore I could see how beneficial the Rugby Academy was to the progress of their rugby skills.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
There are a few standout moments for me whilst I was at college. We won multiple rugby tournaments which was always great fun. I was also able to play against Acer Rugby colleges such as Hartpury who are known to be one of the top performing rugby colleges in the UK, which was a great experience. I also got to watch a closed England Rugby training session at Penny Hill Park in Surrey and meet Martyn Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall and lots of other players I looked up to.
Outside of rugby there were two trips that really stood out. One was a hiking trip to Switzerland. Hiking in the mountains and camping for a few days was incredible; the scenery was beautiful and learning to navigate with maps in another country was a great learning experience. The other trip was to Lympstone Commando near Exeter, which is a training facility for the Royal Marines Commandos. I spent a whole week with other College students being tested and put through our paces to get an idea of what type of thing they do in training. This was possibly the most physically demanding week of my life. We got to endure their Tarzan assault course and do all the pre-tests that are required to be passed if you want to join the Royal Marines training. After this trip I was very tempted to go down that path, however the potential chance of a career in sport stopped me from pursuing that.
Have you stayed in touch with any of your college connections?
At College, I made lots of meaningful friendships. I am still very good friends with Dan Mallinson and Craig Wilson who I played rugby with. I also went on after College to play Eastern Counties with a few of the College lads. The coaching staff of the Academy were also instrumental in my rugby career and whilst we don’t cross paths that often every now and then we do keep in contact. Also, the legend that is Daniel Connor who worked at the College and helped make our learning fun and engaging, and from what I hear is still at the College doing a great job!
What did you go on to do after college?
I am currently an Insurance Broker living in Canada. Since leaving college at the age of 18, I have done a few different jobs. College first and foremost set me up for University and my Sports Science Degree. West Suffolk College was a great way to prepare for what was in store at university. They encouraged independent learning and research which gave me the platform to learn and grow without having to be overseen by a teacher constantly. After university, I went on to being a Strength and Conditioning Coach for a couple of years before then completely changing path and becoming a Mortgage Adviser. Even though these jobs are completely different, the foundation to be independent and manage workloads along with deadlines was something college really helped me with. Whilst I was a mortgage adviser, I also was an On Call Fire Fighter. This role was very eye-opening and great fun. Helping my community and having to respond to all sorts of emergency situations. In the last couple of years, I have now moved to Canada with my partner who is Canadian. Moving halfway across the world is not easy, however, with the foundations of independence and hard work I gained from college, it has definitely made the transition to my new life easier.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
I am very thankful that I was able to attend West Suffolk College and have the amazing experiences I did. I don’t think I would be where I am today without the time I spent at West Suffolk College, and I imagine lots of other past students would feel the same. Thank you for all you do, and keep up the great work!
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
I would say if anyone considering studying at Eastern Education Group and not sure on their path should definitely do it. You will learn so much and have such a wide range of experiences that will set you up for life. The staff are very friendly and always there to help, especially Daniel Connor – they should probably make him the Principal!
And remember – don’t leave all your work till the last minute. Stick to deadlines and you will have a good time!
