Sports at Sussex Downs College

Sports is an important part of of Sussex Downs College life. We have been praised for our sporting courses and facilities and we are part of an outstanding Sports Park partnership.

Person using gym equipment

Sports Academy

At Sussex Downs College you can combining academic achievement with a balanced programme of sports development. We offer courses in basketball, football, golf, netball and rugby. Find out more about Sports Academy at EVoC and Park College

See all sports courses available at Park College

The Harlow Centre

This fantastic facility has opened up all kinds of opportunities for students who are interested in sport. It includes courts to play tennis, basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton and football and rugby pitches, a floodlit Astroturf pitch, along with a competition standard athletics stadium.

This great facility has helped us offer a range of coaching qualifications and National Governing Body Awards that have included athletics, hockey, football, cricket and Sports Medicine which can contribute to the successful completion of the Sports Leadership Awards at levels 1, 2 or 3 or support sport specific vocational courses that contain a coaching unit.

Fitness Suite (located in Park Gym)

Get fit at the Park Fitness Suite

Opening Times (Term time only)

Monday 11:45pm to 1pm
Tuesday 12 to 1pm / 4:30pm 5:45pm
Tuesday Circuits 5pm to 5:45pm
Wednesday 12pm to 1:30pm
Thursday 12pm to 1:30pm / 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Thursday Circuits 5pm to 5:45pm
Friday 11:45pm to 1pm

New Equipment

All students must have an induction. This includes a range of cardiovascular (CV) free weight and resistance equipment.

Available to students and staff

The facility will be available to staff and students throughout the week and will be run by Adam Lawrence, our fully qualified instructor.

The refurbishment of the gym has meant that it is now an excellent facility for all students who want to train any day of the week in their lunch break and for staff who want to train after college with the professional advice of our gym instructor.

Part of curriculum

Sports academy students will have additional access as part of their specialised training to support their fitness requirements. The curriculum will also be using the gym to support learners who are completing the Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instruction that accredits them to gym instructor status. In the future we hope that it will also be used by local sports teams and the community.

New Astro Turf for Sports Park

Students, residents and keen football players in Eastbourne will receive a cash injection of £20,000 from the Football Foundation towards developing the astro turf at the Sports Park on the Sussex Downs College campus with a state of the art 3G playing surface.

Students receive £20,000 cheque for astro turf

When it is finished the new astro turf will provide teams and players with a playing surface that resembles real grass, with the benefit of never flooding and fit to be played on in all weathers. This is the first facility on a public site in the Eastbourne area. The project is a partnership between Sussex Downs College, East Sussex County Council, and Eastbourne Borough Council together with the Sports Park.