Oaklands College has welcomed its largest ever number of talented sportspeople for this year's 'Wolfpack' trial day.

The college - which has campuses in St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and Borehamwood - hosted the trials on Wednesday (February 15).

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Candidates from as far as Wales and Belgium attended the event, for the chance to join the Oaklands Wolves Academy.

The college runs academies in athletics, basketball, cycling, hockey, netball, rugby and football.

The Arsenal women's academy is also run from the location.

Oaklands Collage's head of academies, Thomas Baker, said: "The Wolfpack Open Event was a wonderful opportunity to engage with students and their families and really showcase our amazing facilities at Oaklands.

"We were thrilled to have the highest number of student attendees to date, and we are proud to be able to share an exceptional education experience with the wealth of opportunities at Oaklands College.”

The college's deputy principal Claire Dolan added: "Over the years we have had huge success in producing athletes and sports professionals of a world-beating standard. 

"Last year, we were very proud of our alumni who brought home medals in the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, and many of our sports stars have made a name for themselves in a range of sports such as rugby and football.

                                                                                                                

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“Many students train at Wolves alongside studying for a wide range of courses, including trades such as motor vehicle maintenance, plumbing, or electrical and mechanical engineering, but we want to make it clear that our sporting academy is also open to high-achieving academic students who wish to pursue both sporting and academic excellence. 

"So, you can study for three A-levels and also train at one of our academies – this is something that cannot be found at other sixth form education providers in the region.”

"Young athletes go to Oaklands to study from all over the UK to take advantage of the college’s top-quality sports training, and the college is committed to creating top athletes and introducing future champions to the sporting world, by providing this unique opportunity to athletes to train while they study.

"Alumini includes Ladies Arsenal and England football player Alex Scott, and Saracens Rugby player Jackson Wray. 

“And, for those who are not sporty, we have a huge range of courses and a supportive and nurturing approach to our young people.

"We just want to see them be successful in life, whichever pathway they follow here.”