From all around the country, the most talented athletes were brought together at the Association of Colleges (AOC) National championships, held on the 19th-21st of April at the University of Nottingham.

 City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth form College female basketball team claimed their much-earned place at this tournament, by displaying their skills of perseverance and teamwork way back in November where they gained success in the West Midlands Regional Tournament. The championship format was a round-robin contest that included six regional championships. Facing stiff competition, the girls excelled by securing victories in four matches.

The pivotal game was an exhilarating match against Richard Huish College, the Southwest representatives, where both teams had records of four wins and one loss. The Sixth Form College’s standout performance led to a dramatic 20-18 win in overtime, securing their status as national champions.

First year student and basketball player for City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form, Ayah Edries, shares her experience:

“Before the game I felt quite nervous because I knew each game determined whether we would secure a place in the final rounds; losing would mean we were one step away from the championship, whereas winning the game would mean we were one step closer. Previously, we had only lost one other game, so winning this time made me feel proud of our achievement as team because we knew we did well.”

The women's basketball team is a proud part of the Sixth Form College Sport Performance Academies. The athletes displayed remarkable determination and resilience throughout the tournament, a testament to their steadfast dedication to both their sport and academic endeavors. This victory underscores their commitment and many hours of hard work.

“I think being a championship winning team sets us apart from the rest, as it showcases our talents more since we have proved that we are actually good basketball players, by improving over the months. We have been through different tournaments from regionals, then to nationals and winning them both, it just shows that we have a good team dynamic”