Your path to
professional sport
starts here.
About us
Industry-leading sports and education providers.
We are a group of industry-leading sports and education providers who believe in a sports academy that offers quality training – where students don’t have to choose one over the other.
Our students train in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere with flexible timetables, world-class facilities, and coaching from some of the best in the business. A wide choice of career destinations both academically and within each sports specialism also means that the sky really is the limit for our students.
What is Leeds Sports Connect?
From the classroom to the changing room.
Leeds Sports Connect is the link between professional sports clubs, local colleges, and you. We believe in a sports academy that offers quality education and quality training – where students don’t have to choose one over the other. Your path to professional sport starts here.
Study
Our partnerships with Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College gives you a high-quality education without sacrificing your development in sport. Courses are built around training schedules and you’ll be learning key skills you can use on the pitch, on the court or in the ring.
Study a vocational course in sport or science at Leeds City College, or choose 3 A Levels at Leeds Sixth Form College. Not sure what’s right for you? Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through the application process and help you discover what’s right for you.
Train
We partner with leading sporting institutions to support you in your development as an athlete. Train at professional-level facilities with specialist coaches who’ve worked with the world’s best. Alongside your academic studies, we’ll help you improve technical, tactical and physiological skills to help you become the complete athlete.
Leeds Sports Connect kickstarts your sports career. Students can progress into professional leagues, coaching academies, scholarships abroad or pursue degree-level education.
Our partners
Professional sports clubs, local colleges, and you.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Women's Football
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Ultimate Football Coaching Academy was set up in 2009 by professional coaches Steve Grime and Steve Hart, with a mission to develop young footballers around the city of Leeds. UFCA proudly hold an outstanding track record and reputation for success, which has resulted in many major honours and a large number of players securing professional deals.
Ultimate Football Coaching Academy was set up in 2009 by professional coaches Steve Grime and Steve Hart, with a mission to develop young footballers around the city of Leeds. UFCA proudly hold an outstanding track record and reputation for success, which has resulted in many major honours and a large number of players securing professional deals.
Men's Football
Ultimate Football Coaching Academy was set up in 2009 by professional coaches Steve Grime and Steve Hart, with a mission to develop young footballers around the city of Leeds. UFCA proudly hold an outstanding track record and reputation for success, which has resulted in many major honours and a large number of players securing professional deals.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Academy players benefit from bespoke training and playing programmes, drawn from our proven developmental models at the Leeds Rhinos Academies and Scholarships. This allows players to develop their technical, tactical and physiological skill sets to maximise their progress and reach their full athletic potential.
Academy players benefit from bespoke training and playing programmes, drawn from our proven developmental models at the Leeds Rhinos Academies and Scholarships. This allows players to develop their technical, tactical and physiological skill sets to maximise their progress and reach their full athletic potential.
Men’s and Women’s Rugby
Academy players benefit from bespoke training and playing programmes, drawn from our proven developmental models at the Leeds Rhinos Academies and Scholarships. This allows players to develop their technical, tactical and physiological skill sets to maximise their progress and reach their full athletic potential.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Leeds Rhinos Netball delivers training hubs, camps and workshops across the region and has joined the Vitality Netball Superleague in 2021, bringing elite level Netball back to Yorkshire. Work with highly qualified coaching staff to improve ball handling skills, footwork patterns and agility and attacking and defending positions.
Leeds Rhinos Netball delivers training hubs, camps and workshops across the region and has joined the Vitality Netball Superleague in 2021, bringing elite level Netball back to Yorkshire. Work with highly qualified coaching staff to improve ball handling skills, footwork patterns and agility and attacking and defending positions.
Women's Netball
Leeds Rhinos Netball delivers training hubs, camps and workshops across the region and has joined the Vitality Netball Superleague in 2021, bringing elite level Netball back to Yorkshire. Work with highly qualified coaching staff to improve ball handling skills, footwork patterns and agility and attacking and defending positions.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Part of the largest voluntary youth club in Leeds, Hunslet boxers have represented England and GB in international tournaments across the world winning medals at the Europeans, Worlds and Youth Olympics. The club caters to all levels of ability from beginners right through to international level, each boxer will be given an individual learning plan and targets to monitor improvement.
Part of the largest voluntary youth club in Leeds, Hunslet boxers have represented England and GB in international tournaments across the world winning medals at the Europeans, Worlds and Youth Olympics. The club caters to all levels of ability from beginners right through to international level, each boxer will be given an individual learning plan and targets to monitor improvement.
Men’s and Women’s Boxing
Part of the largest voluntary youth club in Leeds, Hunslet boxers have represented England and GB in international tournaments across the world winning medals at the Europeans, Worlds and Youth Olympics. The club caters to all levels of ability from beginners right through to international level, each boxer will be given an individual learning plan and targets to monitor improvement.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Giving dedicated basketball players the opportunity to continue playing the sport alongside their studies. This great opportunity enables student-athletes to take part in three court side training sessions per week alongside their academic studies, with various exit routes available to committed players including pathways to professional clubs, international college programmes or UK universities.
Giving dedicated basketball players the opportunity to continue playing the sport alongside their studies. This great opportunity enables student-athletes to take part in three court side training sessions per week alongside their academic studies, with various exit routes available to committed players including pathways to professional clubs, international college programmes or UK universities.
Men's and Women's Basketball
Giving dedicated basketball players the opportunity to continue playing the sport alongside their studies. This great opportunity enables student-athletes to take part in three court side training sessions per week alongside their academic studies, with various exit routes available to committed players including pathways to professional clubs, international college programmes or UK universities.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country, providing a vibrant and diverse environment and is dedicated to innovative and practical learning. You’ll most likely study a Level 3 vocational course in Sport or Science, supported by industry-expert tutors and high-level facilities.
Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country, providing a vibrant and diverse environment and is dedicated to innovative and practical learning. You’ll most likely study a Level 3 vocational course in Sport or Science, supported by industry-expert tutors and high-level facilities.
Vocational Courses
Leeds City College is one of the largest further education institutions in the country, providing a vibrant and diverse environment and is dedicated to innovative and practical learning. You’ll most likely study a Level 3 vocational course in Sport or Science, supported by industry-expert tutors and high-level facilities.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
Leeds Sixth Form College offers A Levels and bespoke pathways for those pursuing an academic route to higher education. You’ll most likely study 3 A Levels alongside your chosen sport in their supportive environment with one-to-one tuition sessions and passionate tutors.
Leeds Sixth Form College offers A Levels and bespoke pathways for those pursuing an academic route to higher education. You’ll most likely study 3 A Levels alongside your chosen sport in their supportive environment with one-to-one tuition sessions and passionate tutors.
A Levels
Leeds Sixth Form College offers A Levels and bespoke pathways for those pursuing an academic route to higher education. You’ll most likely study 3 A Levels alongside your chosen sport in their supportive environment with one-to-one tuition sessions and passionate tutors.
Leeds United Foundation’s women’s academy focus on the holistic development of their players, with 2 physical performance coaches, 7 UEFA qualified coaches and strong links to Leeds Beckett University, the academy offers a multitude of exit routes such as USA soccer scholarships, sports science and coaching opportunities as well as traditional academic routes.
The Yorkshire Golf College Programme is designed for students to receive the very highest levels of golf coaching to help them to work towards a career in golf. Our coaches will consider the person, athlete and golfer on this journey and aim to inspire the student to fulfil a lifelong career within golf through playing, coaching, club management or along other avenues.
The Yorkshire Golf College Programme is designed for students to receive the very highest levels of golf coaching to help them to work towards a career in golf. Our coaches will consider the person, athlete and golfer on this journey and aim to inspire the student to fulfil a lifelong career within golf through playing, coaching, club management or along other avenues.
Men’s and Women’s Golf
The Yorkshire Golf College Programme is designed for students to receive the very highest levels of golf coaching to help them to work towards a career in golf. Our coaches will consider the person, athlete and golfer on this journey and aim to inspire the student to fulfil a lifelong career within golf through playing, coaching, club management or along other avenues.
Kick-off your sports career today.
How it works
How do I apply?
Choose your education
Apply to a vocational course in Sport or Science at Leeds City College or choose 3 A levels at Leeds Sixth Form College via the application forms below.
Choose your sport
Add your chosen sport on the form. Choose football at Leeds United or UFCA, rugby or netball at Leeds Rhinos, basketball at Let’s Do More or boxing at Hunslet Boxing Club.
Visit us
Even if you’ve applied, it’s good to visit us at a Leeds City College or Leeds Sixth Form College open event throughout the year. You’ll be able to meet Leeds Sports Connect coaches and find out more about your timetable.