2011 witnessed the first batch of HSA members graduate from the Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching and Exercise at Hartlepool College. Vince Dawkins (Hartlepool Wadokai), , Kim Lawson (Hartlepool Sportability Club), Ian Clark (Hartlepool College),Rebecca Smith and Kelly Daley (St Francis 2000FC) combined their passion for sports coaching with the theory and knowledge associated with different aspects of sports science. Several of these HSA members have made the move to full time education, aiming to complete the final year of a full honours degree at Teesside University, Hartlepool Colleges partner University.

Vince Dawkins described the course "I made the decision two years ago to re-educate myself and try to make the move from working in Corus to full time employment in the Sports sector. The course at the College provided me with all of the knowledge and experience I needed. It was great to see the development I could make as I applied my college education to my weekly coaching sessions."

Article by Shaun Hope 01/10/2011