Celebrating centres that deliver outstanding education and make a lasting difference to learners, the Centre of the Year award recognises excellence, inclusion and impact. This year, MIT Skills is our highly commended Active IQ centre, acknowledging its unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of young people through sport and education.
Creating opportunity through sport
MIT Skills delivers study programmes for learners aged 16–19 that combine academic achievement with professional football training. This approach ensures that students develop both their sporting ability and the qualifications needed to progress into higher education, employment or professional sport.
The centre caters to a broad spectrum of abilities, from grassroots participants to high-performance players aspiring to professional careers. This creates an environment where learners are supported to progress, build confidence and fulfil their potential.
As Harry Reilly, Sports Tutor at the Strachan Football Foundation, explains: “MIT Skills has consistently demonstrated excellence in delivering high quality study programmes for learners aged 16–19, providing inclusive opportunities across a wide range of sporting abilities.”
Removing barriers to success
A defining strength of MIT Skills is its dedication to accessibility. Many learners come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and face barriers such as financial hardship, limited family support or reduced access to structured sporting opportunities.
The centre works proactively to remove these challenges through bursaries and financial support that cover essential needs including food, training kits, equipment and travel. By addressing these barriers, learners are able to focus fully on their development and education.
This support goes far beyond practical provision – it fosters confidence, stability, and a strong sense of belonging. Learners who may previously have felt marginalised are supported within an environment where they feel valued and motivated to succeed.
This positive culture is reflected in strong attendance, retention, and progression outcomes, alongside the development of key personal skills such as resilience, as well as teamwork and communication.
Supporting the whole learner
MIT Skills places a strong emphasis on holistic development. Alongside physical training, learners engage in education around leadership, mental wellbeing, nutrition and employability. This integrated approach ensures that students gain not only technical and academic skills, but also the personal qualities needed to thrive in wider life.
Coaches and staff play an important role as mentors and role models, offering guidance and support that often extends beyond the classroom. For many learners – particularly those without consistent support networks – this mentorship is transformative, helping to build confidence, direction and purpose.
Building wider impact
The impact of MIT Skills extends beyond individual learners into the wider community. By engaging young people in structured sport and education, the centre contributes to reduced anti-social behaviour and stronger community cohesion.
Learners are encouraged to take part in volunteering and local initiatives, strengthening their connection to their communities and promoting positive engagement.
A standout feature of the programme is its commitment to international exposure. The annual trip to Montenegro provides learners with the opportunity to compete against teams from different cultural backgrounds. For many, this is their first experience of travelling abroad, offering a valuable opportunity to broaden horizons, build independence, and develop confidence.
This experience also opens potential pathways into professional and semi-professional football, with opportunities to perform in front of international scouts. For those who pursue alternative routes, the experience still builds ambition, adaptability, and a wider perspective that supports future success.
A highly commended centre
MIT Skills demonstrates a strong learner-centred approach, underpinned by effective governance, robust safeguarding and a commitment to continuous improvement. As an Active IQ centre, it delivers programmes that combine quality assurance with meaningful, real-world outcomes. Its inclusive ethos ensures that opportunity is not determined by background, financial situation or initial ability.
Reflecting on this impact, Harry Reilly adds: “Learners who arrive uncertain of their direction leave with qualifications, purpose, and ambition.”
Through its dedication to high-quality delivery, holistic development and meaningful community impact, MIT Skills continues to shape not only better athletes, but better futures. Its work represents a powerful example of how education and sport can come together to create lasting change, making it a highly commended Centre of the Year.
Congratulations, MIT Skills! To read more inspirational stories from this year’s award winners, visit our Aspiration Awards 2026 page.
