AoC Sport Membership
Membership of AoC Sport is available to further education and sixth form colleges incorporated under the 1992 Act, and any new corporations formed by the subsequent merger of these colleges as well as sixth form colleges which have converted to academies.
AoC Sport members receive a wide range of benefits, including conferences, networks and training, competitions, and policy advice and curriculum planning, among other things.
We support over 200 members
- We are the trusted voice for college sport and physical activity and have the power to shape the further education sporting landscape.
- We advocate on your behalf and can raise your concerns specifically on a national level.
- We attract investment from national bodies into the further education sector e.g. Sport England and the Football Association.
- We can signpost colleges towards grants and funding from local and national organisations.
An annual membership fee is payable which is based on the financial turnover of your college. Fees start at £1100.
If you are interested in joining, please read the document below or contact:
North and Midlands
Rachel Walker
rachel.walker@aoc.co.uk
South and East
Matt Webber
matt.webber@aoc.co.uk
What’s included?
Keeping you informed and connected
- AoC Sport Regional Networks - Termly forums for professional exchange, providing updates from AoC Sport and key partners, sharing effective practice and enabling collaboration across colleges.
- Communications - A dedicated e-newsletter highlighting opportunities, funding updates and key developments across the further education and sport sector.
- Conferences and events - Discounted access to national events, including the AoC Sport Curriculum Conference, supporting professional development and curriculum innovation.
- Resources and tailored support - Access to sector insight, curriculum planning supports, policy updates and bespoke advice aligned to your college’s priorities.
Influence and representation
- National advocacy and sector leadership - AoC Sport represents the interests of colleges at a national level, influencing policy and shaping the future of sport and physical activity in education through engagement with key stakeholders including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, awarding organisations and sector bodies such as CIMSPA.
- Sector insight and thought leadership - Access to research, insight and evidence to support colleges in responding to national priorities including health, wellbeing, employability and skills development.
- National partnerships - Engagement with programmes and opportunities delivered in partnership with organisations including Sport England, The FA and other national governing bodies.
- Local and community engagement - Support to build partnerships with community organisations and employers, strengthening your college’s civic role and student pathways.
Competition
- Leagues and cups – Entry into league and cup competitions in up to 11 different sports including inclusive formats, subject to payment of a discounted entry fee.
- Regional and National competition – Opportunities to compete in regional tournaments and progress to the AoC Sport National Championships — the largest annual FE student sporting event in the UK.
- National Teams – Opportunity to nominate players to trial for national representative teams in football, hockey and netball.
Participation and projects
- Student Leadership and Volunteering – Access to the AoC Sport Student Leadership Programme, including an accredited award, enabling students to develop leadership, employability and volunteering experience.
- Participation Projects – Involvement in targeted programmes designed to engage inactive students, reduce inequalities and increase physical activity across diverse learner groups.
- Funding – Priority access to funding through partnerships with Sport England, The FA and other national and local organisations.
- AoC Sport Introducing – Local development opportunities focused on increasing participation and widening access to sport and physical activity.
Football Development
- ECFA Accredited Colleges – A structured framework to support the development of high-quality football provision, including workforce development, access to funding opportunities and bespoke action planning to strengthen participation, competition, workforce and community engagement.
- ECFA Activators - Targeted student leadership opportunities focused on football, supporting students to design and deliver activity within their college environment, increasing participation while developing leadership, coaching and employability skills.
- Community and partnership development - Opportunities to strengthen links with County FAs, grassroots clubs and local partners, positioning colleges as key hubs for football participation and community engagement.
- Facilities development and funding - Support to access national facility investment programmes delivered through The FA and Football Foundation, enabling colleges to improve pitches, changing facilities and multi-use sports environments to increase participation and community use.
- FA partnership and national programme access - Through AoC Sport’s partnership with The FA, colleges can access a wide range of national programmes and initiatives designed to grow participation, develop the workforce and strengthen community links. These include:
- Your Game – introducing students to the breadth of career and volunteering opportunities within football and supporting their progression into the wider workforce.
- Club Maker – structured training and resources to develop student leaders and volunteers, supporting engagement in coaching, officiating and club development.
- Participation programmes – opportunities to deliver flexible formats such as Just Play and other inclusive activity offers to engage new and inactive participants.