We’re excited to be able to offer students studying BTEC Sport, Coaching & Development or BTEC Sport & Exercise Science access to our new Sport in the Community Pathway.

Students who register will be given a guaranteed interview and employment trial with GLL – one of Manchester’s biggest employers in the sport and leisure industry. 

Your employment with them can run throughout your time at Connell and beyond into university or full time employment. As a national company you will have the opportunity to work for them wherever you choose to go in the future too.

GLL is a not for profit charitable social enterprise committed to delivering a better quality of fitness and leisure, libraries and performing arts facilities for everyone. They manage over 258 facilities across the UK. Find out more.

In Manchester, this includes community and elite sporting venues such as the National Cycling Centre, National Squash Centre, Manchester Regional Arena, National Basketball Performance Centre; as well as local leisure centres, such as Belle Vue Leisure Centre, Manchester Aquatics Centre, East Manchester Leisure Centre, Moss Side Leisure Centre, and much more. Find a full list of Manchester venues.

They also organise and support the delivery of major sporting events such as the recent European Taekwondo Championships at Manchester Regional Arena and are proud to host national teams across their venues including Manchester Thunder Netball, Manchester Giants Basketball and Belle Vue Aces Speedway.

GLL are proud of their commitment in 2022 to be a real living wage employer. The hours you work will be flexible and up to you meaning you can work more during the holidays and quiet times and less or not at all when your college work is most demanding. As your employee, they will provide you with training and qualifications, enabling you to progress in the sports industry in the future.

Students on this pathway will also have access to opportunities delivered by our other key partners in the sport industry: City in the Community, Manchester City Football Club and Manchester Institute of Health and Performance.