Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme – (TASS)

Coleg y Cymoedd are proud to be the only Further Education College in Wales awarded TASS status.

Our TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) Dual Career programme funded in partnership between Coleg y Cymoedd and talented athletes working together to bring the best out of our country’s most exciting young talents.

The TASS programme helps athletes – aged 16-plus – to balance sport, edcuation and lifestyle whilst at Coleg y Cymoedd.

For academic 2022-2023, there are currently 31 student athletes who have been identified and received TASS support.

You can find out more about TASS

What you will receive as a TASS athlete

How do I join the scheme

When you apply for a course at Coleg y Cymoedd, we ask a question during the application form to identify if you are an elite athlete*.

*Elite athlete is someone who is currently competing or representing at regional/national or International level in their chosen sport.

Selection Criteria

Must be competing or representing at regional/national or international level in your chosen sport

Sports included – There are no restrictions on the sports included within the scheme, example sports of our current and past learners have been Football, Rugby, Cycling, Karate, Swimming, Weightlifting, Boxing, Fencing, Dance, Kickboxing and many more…..

Meet the Team

ALUN DAVIES

Performance Lifestyle and Dual Career Adviser

Alun Davies is regarded as one of the leading accredited and qualified practitioners in the field of Personal Development in Sport and player/athlete welfare. With 35 years’ experience of work across education, training and business change – 21 years’ of experience working with elite athletes, professional players, Student Athletes and support staff supporting their personal development and career transitions.

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Meet the learners

OLIVIA LLEWELLYN

NETBALL

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COURSE:  

A LEVELS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Coleg y Cymoedd Academy, Glamorgan Valleys, USW Regional Academy, Wales National U17s

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play at the highest possible level.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I have heard how well Coleg y Cymoedd has supported and helped student athletes through TASS. Millie Carter visited Ystrad Mynach club and praised the courses.

Support received as a TASS Learner

I have had a huge amount of support with my subjects, and financial support to contribute towards my club fees. I get advice on how to manage my sport and subject workload.

DYLAN SCOTT

RUGBY UNION

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COURSE:  

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Cardiff RFC

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play for Wales.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

To develop my rugby skills and to get the qualifications I need for university.

Support received as a TASS Learner

I can get to see people who I can talk to when I need help.

MAIA OWEN

FOOTBALL

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COURSE:  

COMPUTING & IT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:  

FAW Academy

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play football professionally.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I chose Coleg y Cymoedd because it offers a course not available elsewhere.

Support received as a TASS Learner

I have had a warm welcome to both the college and my course. And as a TASS student, I have received various kinds of support inside and outside of college to help with my football.

MEGAN-JANE ENOCH

SWIMMING

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COURSE:  

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Swimming for Torfaen Dolphins and a British 2022 qualifier

SPORTING AMBITION:

To go as far as I can possibly go and be the best athlete I can be!

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

Coleg y Cymoedd have great sports facilities and are easy and fair to work with.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

As a TASS student athlete I have received lots of support with balancing my training and school work.

AMELIA JAMES

CHEERLEADING

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COURSE:  

A LEVELS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

RSD Cheerleading

SPORTING AMBITION:

To make the top 10 in Worlds.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I felt that I would have more freedom and opportunities at Coleg y Cymoedd to get myself ready to go to university in the future.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

Coleg y Cymoedd TASS helps so much with balancing your work and your sport.

SAMUEL SLATTER

TABLE TENNIS

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COURSE

FOUNDATION PHOTOGRAPHY

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Cardiff Grand Prix Mixed Doubles Champion alongside Nancy Yeh Tsz Yan (HKG) Gemau Cymru Singles Gold, Competes Domestically For North Gwent TTC.

SPORTING AMBITION:

To qualify to represent Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games, to compete in Tischtennis Bundesliga Premier, Champions League, and to receive an invitation to compete in Chinese Super League. 

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I chose Coleg y Cymoedd back in 2019, starting at Level 1 and working my way up through the levels to a degree in BA Photography. I chose Coleg y Cymoedd purely because of the supportive and knowledgeable staff as well as the great facilities.

Jessica Emanuel, my current lecturer has guided me from Level 1, making sure I had a clear progression pathway to success. Also, since joining the college nearly four years ago, all my tutors have been supportive of not just my academic success but my sporting commitments as well!

MIA HOWELLS

NETBALL

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COURSE: 

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Welsh Regional Netball

SPORTING AMBITION:

Keep improving on my netball ability.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

The netball team was the motivation I needed.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

I’ve enjoyed the group sessions advising on how to manage my sport and academics.

OLIVIA NOTT

DANCING

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COURSE: 

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

English Cup Over 16s Champion,

Champions of Tomorrow, Finalist Welsh Formation Championships – Vice Champion Formation Northern Masters – Rising Star Champion

SPORTING AMBITION:

My sporting ambition is to continue to compete at solo and formation championships in Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens but to go on to compete internationally. 

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I chose to attend Coleg y Cymoedd as I was impressed by the facilities and courses that were offered, and the warm welcome I received from the course tutors.

BROOKE ELTRINGHAM

RUGBY & NETBALL

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COURSE: 

HAIR, MAKE-UP & SPECIAL EFFECTS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Cardiff Netball, Vale Netball and have won over 20 first medals in Show Jumping.

SPORTING AMBITION:

My sporting ambitions are to play for Wales in both sports and to be selected as a show jumper as well.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I chose Coleg y Cymoedd because it’s one of the best colleges around: the sport facilities are like no other and the course that I study is very professional and taught to a high standard.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

Alun Davies (TASS) has provided me with a lot of support trying to balance my sports and school work and to help manage my stress levels too!

LIBBY ANDREWS

CHEERLEADING

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COURSE: 

CREATIVE MEDIA PRODUCTION

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

RSD Cheerleading

SPORTING AMBITION:

To make the top 10 at Worlds 2024.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

It had the best course for the job I want in the future.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

It’s great to know you are able to do the course you want and the sport you love, and being able to make them work together.

GRACIE LANGMEAD

NETBALL

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COURSE: 

A LEVELS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Regional Academy Netball, Glamorgan Valleys county, Cymoedd’s Female Netball

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play for a Super League team.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I chose Coleg y Cymoedd because it was a new experience and a new surrounding in netball and education.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

I’ve received help and support mixing my education and netball together to form a steady timetable that’s suitable for me.

MADDIE WILLIAMS

FOOTBALL

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COURSE

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Wales u17 European Qualifiers, Captain of Wales Colleges Rome 2023.

SPORTING AMBITION:

To become a professional footballer.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I chose it as it’s home to the Female Academy and I would be coached by ex-professional Welsh players. They offered the course I wanted too.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

1-1 support and help with where to go and what to do for my next steps as a student athlete.

TIA HIGGINS

NETBALL

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COURSE

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Regional Academy Netball

SPORTING AMBITION:

To make the Wales squad.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

The coaches really sold the netball team to me and as I want to be a PE Teacher, the course is perfect!

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

TASS is great – we talk about managing stress.

FREYA INKPEN

RUGBY UNION

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COURSE: 

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:         

Cardiff Blues and the Welsh Academy

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play for Wales.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

Because of the opportunities I was given to play both of my sports and learn along side it.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

Alun Davies (TASS) has helped me a lot with my workload and training, especially by helping me find time to do my college work.

RUBY SHORNEY

NETBALL

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COURSE:  

A LEVELS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:

Wales U17s Netball Academy

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play for the Welsh Feathers.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I choose Coleg y Cymoedd due to its flexibility to balance out my sporting commitments as well as my academics.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

TASS allowed me to change my timetable to coordinate my netball schedule with my classes. It was also able to provide me with a bus pass to get to and from college and contributed money towards my netball commitments outside of college.

CAITLYN REID-GORDON

NETBALL

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COURSE:  

A LEVELS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Cardiff Dragons U19s and Welsh Colleges

SPORTING AMBITION:

To represent my country and reach a professional level in netball.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

Coleg y Cymoedd provides the best of both worlds with me being able to complete my A Levels alongside consistent, high-quality training and a competitive netball environment.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

The support I’ve received in balancing my netball commitments and studies through the TASS programme has been very beneficial in maximising both avenues.

JAKE ACREMAN

KARATE & BOXING

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COURSE:  

PLUMBING APPRENTICESHIP

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:

For Karate, I came third in the Men’s Team Kumite World Championship – Open Weight (WSKA 2023). For Boxing, I won the junior 63 – 67kg Novice Championship

SPORTING AMBITION:

To become the best athlete I can be and to achieve as much as I can in combat sports.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

They offered the plumbing course I needed to be full qualified plumber.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

The TASS team provided me with a diet plan which was crucial for making weight in several of my boxing bouts, but they also offed me support in both my education and sporting endeavours.

DYLAN BARRATT

RUGBY

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COURSE:  

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:

Playing rugby for Cardiff. My highest achievement so far has been making Wales’ U18 training squad!

SPORTING AMBITION:

To become a professional rugby player.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

It was local and had everything I needed to develop both academically and in sport.

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

Extra help whenever I need it!

AMBER BATES

NETBALL

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COURSE:  

GYM INSTRUCTING

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Llantwit Fardre and Cardiff Dragons U17

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play for Wales and Cardiff Dragons NSL

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

They were very supportive in my choices and have helped me in every way that they can. 

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

As a TASS student I have access to stress management and additional support managing my sport with college work. I’ve also really enjoyed attending career talks – we’re always given opportunities to grow and focus on building a better future.     

ADAM DEVET

KICKBOXING

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COURSE:  

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Team GB – Kickboxing.

SPORTING AMBITION:

To become world champion.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

Chose Coleg y Cymoedd because of their amazing facilities – especially the new sport centre!

SUPPORT RECEIVED AS A TASS LEARNER

I have received so much support with balancing my studies with training.

AMELIA ELLIS

TAEKWONDO

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COURSE:  

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:

GB Taekwondo Training Squad

SPORTING AMBITION:

To compete on the world stage and aim for Commonwealth Games Selection / Worlds.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I started on a Sports course but working with my TASS adviser it was evident that my interest and passion outside sport was in child care. The transfer across was supported as well as when I suffered a serious injury.

MILETA MITCHELL

NETBALL

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COURSE:  

A LEVELS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Regional Wales academy, Ystrad Mynach and Glamorgan valley County

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play for the Celtic Dragons and Wales.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

To be able to pursue my netball career within the netball academy as well as achieving my A levels with great support from staff and TASS programme.

Past Learners

KENZIE JENKINS

RUGBY UNION

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COURSE:

BTEC SPORT LEVEL 3

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:  

Wales U18s, Bristol Bears academy.

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play professional rugby at the highest level.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

The academy programme at the College supported me fully in my rugby and academic career.

SAM COAKLEY

KICKBOXING

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COURSE:

COMPUTING & IT LEVEL 3

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

6x WKU world gold medallist, also Won a British full contact title belt

SPORTING AMBITION:

Full contact world title belt.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

Offered the best range of IT course options and the support available through the TASS programme helping me achieve now and prepare for University.

REBECCA LEWIS

PARA SWIMMING

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COURSE:

LEVEL 3 ACCOUNTANCY

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:  

Commonwealth Games Birmingham Finalist

SPORTING AMBITION:

To be the best I can be and participate in a Paralympic Games.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

It was the best fit for me and the support I receive in both my academic and sporting pursuits

EVAN WOOD

RUGBY UNION

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COURSE:  

LEVEL 3 SPORT

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT:  

Captain of Coleg y Cymoedd, Wales U17 and Wales U18 caps.

SPORTING AMBITION:

To play at the highest level I can achieve

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

It is a college which allows me to continue my rugby aspirations playing at the best level at this age getting exposure to high quality coaching, and still be able to get my education done at the same time. To support my progress to University.

HARRISON ROCK

RUGBY UNION

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COURSE:  

A LEVELS – BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY, MATHS

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Cardiff U18s and Wales U18s squad.

SPORTING AMBITION:

To enjoy my rugby and go as far as I possibly can.

WHY COLEG Y CYMOEDD?

I aim to progress to University to study Veterinary Science and CYC was the best option for me to study alongside playing at a college academy programme. Receiving TASS status was a great achievement for me and the support I have had has been the best.

Aberdare

Wellington Street
Aberdare
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF44 8EN

Nantgarw

Heol y Coleg
Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QY

Rhondda

Llwynypia
Tonypandy
Rhondda Cynon Taff
CF40 2TQ

Ystrad Mynach

Twyn Road
Ystrad Mynach
Hengoed
CF82 7XR

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