TyneMet College’s SEND football students have made history after competing in the 2026 CPC Inclusion Cup Final at St George’s Park last Friday (24th April), rounding off a remarkable debut season for the newly established team.
The team earned their place in the national final following an impressive run at the knockout stages held at Manchester United’s training ground back in March. Facing strong competition from other colleges across the UK, the TyneMet team delivered a series of confident performances to secure their progression to the final stage of the tournament.
At St George’s Park, the home of England Football, the students rose to the occasion once again, showcasing determination, teamwork, and resilience against some of the best inclusion teams in the country. Their efforts saw them finish third overall in the national competition—an outstanding achievement, particularly for a team formed only in November.
The CPC Inclusion Cup marks just one highlight in what has already been an incredible year for the group. Earlier this month, the team also took part in the first North East Inclusion Festival, organised by TyneMet’s Blyth Spartans Football Academy students, further demonstrating their commitment to competitive football and inclusive sport.
Head of Sport at TyneMet College, Richard Rowe, praised the students for their exceptional efforts throughout the season:
We are incredibly proud of every single player involved. To reach a national final in their first year as a team is a phenomenal achievement. Their hard work, determination, and commitment to improving week in, week out has truly paid off. They’ve represented the college with pride and set a fantastic standard for the future.
With such a strong foundation already in place, the future looks bright for our inclusive football programme as it continues to grow and inspire through sport.
Find out more about our sport courses here: Sport – Tyne Metropolitan College