With her time studying the OCR Level 3 Sport diploma course with Preston North End Community and Education Trust coming to an end, Casey Bull is now preparing to take her studies to the US after accepting a scholarship offer from Jacksonville College, Texas.
Having enrolled at the PNECET Sports College in the summer of 2017, Casey has spent three years studying at Preston North End, initially embarking on the Level 2 course, before progressing to the two-year Level 3 course.
Casey is set to join the Texas college in August this year, having also received an offer to study with another college in Iowa, and is looking to study psychology while continuing to play football.
Speaking about her time at the PNECET Sports College, Casey said: “I have made lifelong friends at PNECET Sports College and the staff make the college very welcoming.
“They are always there to help, whether it be with work, football or other aspects outside of college. Everyone makes you feel a part of the PNE community.
“The things I have enjoyed most about the course is the diversity of the topics we study, the friends I have made and the staff members. We always study different areas of sports, which keeps the classes interesting and engaging. All the students work together and help each other out.”
The OCR Level 3 Sport diploma course comprises modules of study in multiple sporting disciplines, with anatomy and physiology, exercise health and lifestyle fitness among the elements of learning on the programme.
Jodi Collum, post-16 education programme leader, said: “Casey has had the determination to go to America and study for the last two years, so this has been the sole focus and motivation behind her studies to succeed.
“Casey is highly motivated by playing football and representing Preston North End Community and Education Trust, which she does with pride and commitment, and as a result she was awarded the role of captaincy. She worked hard to achieve this, ultimately reflecting her determination to succeed.
“As tutors, we are proud of Casey’s achievements and have enjoyed having her around the college – it will be quiet without her – and would like to wish her all the best for the future, in the hope that she thrives on this opportunity!”
Students also represent the Trust by playing matches against other college teams in the EFL Community and Education Football Alliance league, with Casey the current captain of the PNECET Sports College's women's team.
Women's team coach Sam Livesey also spoke glowingly of Casey’s on-pitch dedication to the cause.
Sam said: “Casey is a player who is able to recognise opposition teams’ weaknesses and strengths and use those to create opportunities for her team-mates.
“Her willingness to play in a variety of positions speaks volumes about her personality as well as her ability to adapt to the needs of the team.
“Casey is a well-liked member of the squad by both her peers and the PNECET staff, and she has also been great supporting new players feel comfortable and settling in.
“This, coupled with her footballing ability, lined her up to become captain, a goal set by herself which she has worked hard for.
“Casey will be sorely missed next year, however I would like to wish her all the best and feel that she has an exciting and bright future ahead of her.”
Casey believes she will be able to apply plenty of elements of her learning with PNECET to whatever course she chooses to pursue in her new educational venture.
“I am very excited to be going over to the US to play football and study, but I am also very nervous as it’s a whole new thing to me.
“In the US, I am hoping to be studying psychology. During my time with PNE, we did units on psychology, which I always enjoyed and since then my tutors have help me look at future careers that I can pursue in psychology.
“The coaches have massively helped me prepare for my time in the US, they have reassured me, helped me to gain the scholarship itself and pushed me to the best of my footballing ability.”
More for more information about the education courses on offer from Preston North End Community and Education, please click here or contact education@pne.com.
Alternatively, please fill in our online form to express your interest in enrolling at the PNECET Sports College and for information on a series of online open evenings to be confirmed over the coming months.
Prospective students can now also express their interest in attending an online open evening by filling in this form.