The South West region were again crowned AoC Sport National Champions last weekend, picking up the Wilkinson Sword Trophy at the annual event in Tyne and Wear.

Nearly 1800 further education and sixth form college students from across England, Wales and Scotland travelled to the North East to take part in the 38th AoC Sport National Championships.

The students, representing not only their colleges but also their regions, competed across 15 different sports – including basketball, hockey, rugby, football, squash, swimming and cross country - over three days, and for the second successive year the South West emerged as overall champions.

The region claimed 25 medals in total, including seven golds, as they beat the South East to top spot, while the West Midlands finished in third place.

Female team captain Vicky Prouse, who herself earned a silver medal in the badminton mixed doubles, said: "Retaining the Wilkinson Sword was an incredible achievement for the South West. It was great to be one of the student captains who could collect the sword on behalf of all the amazing South West students who competed so well.

“Winning my own silver medal was also a great personal achievement with many amazing memories made in Newcastle that I will keep with me for a very long time.

“I am so proud to get to captain such an amazing region in my last year at the AoC Sport National Championships.”

It was the first time the event had been held in the North West - in conjunction with Tyne and Wear Sport, the local County Sport Partnership - and they were widely hailed as the best AoC Sport National Championships to date.

Venues included Northumbria University’s state of the art £30million Sport Central, Sunderland Aquatic Centre, South Northumberland Cricket Club and Close House Golf Club.

AoC Sport Managing Director Marcus Kingwell said: “The AoC Sport National Championships has been an unqualified success this year.

“Thanks to the hard work and support of delivery partners Tyne & Wear Sport, Northumbria University, Nirvana Europe and NewcastleGateshead Initiative, the quality of the event has increased significantly, as demonstrated by the feedback from students.

“Great sport, great facilities and great entertainment in a great city.”

Preparations are already underway for next year’s National Championships, and AoC Sport are currently looking for a headline sponsor for the event.