College student receives Gold Duke of Edinburgh award

Our amazing Esports student, Daniel Collier, has been awarded the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award at the Gold Award celebration event at Buckingham Palace attended by HRH Prince Edward Duke of Edinburgh.

There are five main sections of a Duke of Edinburgh gold programme; volunteering, physical, skills, residential and expedition.

Receiving the award was great, knowing that the effort I put in was all worth it. My enjoyment of the course also helped push me to do my Gold Award to give me more unique and higher-level achievements to continue studying at Barnsley College University Centre.

To achieve the gold award Daniel completed around 30 hours of volunteering, by helping clear a path in a woodland that dog walkers use, his physical activity was learning Bujinkan (Martial Arts), and he developed his skill in playing the Double Bass with Musica Kirklees Youth Orchestra. He also completed a residential activity away from home for five days, as well as a four-day expedition where he hiked for eight hours each day.

Daniel said: “Being in the Buckingham Palace gardens was incredible! Knowing that I was now one of the very few people to have been invited and allowed inside the grounds of the palace was an incredible feeling. Celebrating with celebrities including actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe and athlete Jodie Ounsley was the cherry on the top.

“Receiving the award was great, knowing that the effort I put in was all worth it. My enjoyment of the course also helped push me to do my Gold Award to give me more unique and higher-level achievements to continue studying at Barnsley College University Centre.

“I would genuinely recommend giving it a go, while it can be physically testing at times, it’s a great way to spend time away from others and have a good laugh with friends, as well as making new friends.”

You can study Esports in Barnsley up to Level 6 by progressing to a degree at Barnsley College University Centre which means that there is something on offer for those who are just starting their career as well as those who are looking to specialise. Barnsley College and Barnsley College University Centre are still accepting applications for courses starting in September 2024.