College students represent the country in sporting successes

A record eight student-athletes from Education Partnership North East colleges have represented their countries this academic year.

Emily Cassap , Eva Bewicke, Riley Smith, Louis Burns, Jamie Storey and Luke Wilson from Sunderland College alongside Ava Watson and Lewin Tubuna, both at Hartlepool Sixth Form College, have all excelled on the international stage in football, futsal, netball, crossfit and rugby.

Although part of each college’s Sports Academies, the student-athletes are studying vastly different subjects and courses as part of their dual career pathway.

A-Level student Emily Cassap travelled to the Dominican Republic as part of the England squad in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup as well as making her debut for SAFC Women. Fellow Black Cat and Eva Bewicke, who is studying Sport and Exercise Science, has also featured for the young Lionesses.

Sports Coaching student Riley Smith, whose brother was a student-athlete at Sunderland College, was selected for the England Schools squad where he played against some of Britain’s best young footballers, while Louis Burns (Electrical Installation) captained England Colleges and made his first team debut for South Shields FC.

Jamie Storey (Sports Coaching and Development) was also part of the England Colleges squad and captained South Shields U18s to their second league title in the last three years. Meanwhile Luke Wilson (Sport) completed the trio of Mariners who received international honours, scoring England Futsal’s first goal in the U19 European Championships.

At Hartlepool Sixth Form College, A-Level student Ava Watson represented Scotland Netball whilst ensuring her academic studies are still at the forefront of her career ambitions.

Rugby ace Lewin Tubuna (Sport & Exercise Science) was crowned Hartlepool’s Sports Personality of the Year in 2024 after travelling to the United States to compete in the Teenage Crossfit Games in the United States. Lewin also finished 5th at the CrossFit games, then qualified for the CrossFit World championships and won. 

The 16-year-old, who plays for Hartlepool Rugby Club, has raised thousands for local charities in recent years by taking part in various fundraising challenges.

Dr Michele Di Mascio, Head of Sports Academies, Partnerships and Wellbeing, said: “It has been an outstanding year for our sports academies and absolutely topped off by the significant number of student-athletes that are representing their country.

“To have one England International would be hugely successful but to have six, it shows the quality of work that is going into our academies across the college. All student-athletes have also shown outstanding levels of commitment to their education this year, too, showing that we commit to their dual career ambitions.

“They should be very proud of their achievements and I wish them every success going forward.”

If you are interested in joining a sports academy, please visit this page: https://sunderlandcollege.ac.uk/sports-academies/