24th May 2016
Barking & Dagenham College's Football and Rugby Academy teams have enjoyed the best season yet with both teams crowned league champions.
The Football Academy, run in partnership with Dagenham & Redbridge FC, topped the English Colleges Football Association (ECFA) Men’s Category 2A London division, winning 10 of their 14 league games.
In its inaugural season the Rugby Academy, which launched in September 2015 in partnership with Saracens, has been declared champions of the AoC Sport East League 2.
Errol Parker, Curriculum Manager at the College said:
“We expect a great deal of our Academy students both on the pitch and in the classroom and they have certainly delivered our best year yet.
“Star footballer Jakub Bercowitz secured a professional contract with our Academy partners Dagenham & Redbridge FC earlier in the year, and now the team have taken the crown.
“I must also single out Head Coach, Dean Cutting, for this outstanding first year of the Rugby Academy. We plan to build on this success by expanding the Academy, including introducing a women’s team.”
Rugby Academy Captain, George Cook, 17, from Theydon Bois, said,
“I am very proud of the players. To win the league undefeated is a big achievement and we’re ready to see what can be achieved next year.”
Football Academy Captain, Sean Chimba, 19 from Basildon added
“The Football Academy programme has developed me as a footballer, as a leader, and a rounded individual. I’d like to thank the footballing family I am now part of and would like to dedicate our win not only to the players, but also to the hardworking staff team.”
