Olympics are just one goal for elite athletes at Burnley College

Burnley College has an outstanding facility training future elite athletes. Students compete for places in the GB Olympic squad; they represent GB in the Junior Commonwealth Games; they are record-breakers and national heroes - and are also trained by the best.

Young athletes destined for the top of their chosen sports have been selected to play rugby for Sale Sharks and football for Manchester United Women, as well as earning a place on the Youth Performance Squad for the Royal Yachting Association or being selected for the first England Men's Netball Team.

One world class student athlete is 16-year-old professional wrestler Danoush Jowkar, who has been British and English Champion five times and competes internationally for GB. Recently he won the German Open, which ranks him 10th in the world at his sport, dominating the opposition and winning all his matches in the week-long contest, including one against an opponent 11 years his senior. 

Danoush studies Advanced Level Sport, Fitness and Personal Training at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre and is also a member of the Elite Athlete Programme, which offers tailored strength and conditioning training to young athletes competing at a high level in their chosen sport.

He commented: "I came to Burnley College because I'd heard it was one of the best colleges in the UK. I can absolutely confirm that!

"The sports facilities are exceptional. I particularly get a lot of use out of the cryotherapy chamber, which helps speed up the recovery process. Wrestling can be very taxing on your muscles, so anything which helps recovery is useful.

"The staff are incredible, too. They're always available to help with everything from training tips and techniques to the psychology of sport."

Danoush has the passion and ambition to go right to the top of his sport. He added: "I'm always competing. My training regime is tough, I'm training 12 to 14 times per week with a combination of mat and gym sessions.

"My next big competition is the Euro Championships, in June 2024. After that it's the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. I'm currently 10th in the world and to get there I'm going to have to move up to 5th.

"It's a tough challenge but I'm going to get there!"

The £6m facilities at Burnley College's Fitness Evolution on-site sports centre include hydrotherapy, a cryotherapy recovery chamber, a climate-controlled hot or cold room for training, plus experts to advise on nutrition, psychology, mentoring and much more. Burnley FC use the facility to support the rehabilitation of injured players.

Karen Buchanan, principal of Burnley College, commented: "Danoush is doing incredibly well in his sport and I know he will reach the very top with the determination and passion he shows in his training.

"As an elite athlete, he has access to the very best strength and conditioning training, and expert guidance from our trainers, many of whom enjoyed careers as professional athletes.

"This exceptional experience is also replicated in Danoush's academic studies, too, as we're officially the number one college in the country in the government's National Achievement Rate Tables for 16 to 18 year olds.

"We put our learners at the heart of everything we do and are committed to Building Futures and Changing Lives. We encourage and support them to make a difference, not only to their own lives, but to their families, society and industry!"

You can see more about the Elite Sports Programme here.