Students enrol on DiSE for 2019-20

Almost 80 boxers from across the country came together in Birmingham last week to enrol on the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DISE) programme for 2019-20.

As part of their welcome, the new students took part in a day of activities at Bourneville Rugby Club designed to help them get off to a flying start.

That included a practical session led by England Talent Pathway’s Performance Coach Mick Driscoll – named Best Male Coach at the EUBC Awards in February.

There was also a boot camp, a relay exercise, a lecture around nutrition and body weight and a decision-making game.

The DiSE programme is open to 16 to 19-year-olds over a period of two years, combining high-performance boxing training with educational opportunities.

Each of the students will attend one of six hubs around the country – Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, The Spotlight Centre, London, SGS College, Bristol, University College, Birmingham, The Joe Gallagher Academy, Manchester and Gateshead College.

Ivan Cobb, the lead for the Midlands Hub at University College Birmingham, and also and England Talent Pathway Coach, said: “It was great to get everyone together and talk through the importance of the course and what to expect on it.

“It was a really good day in that all those on the course got to get involved from the word go and meet other students from different parts of the country.

“There is a good mix of students, some who have been on the England Talent Pathway and others who haven’t, but they are all have a decent level of boxing skill.

“This is a great opportunity for them to continue to develop their boxing while at the same time gain qualifications that can help them get a place on a degree course.”

Click to find out more about the DiSE programme and read the DiSE blog.