The state-of-the-art Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at New College Durham recently welcomed professional goalkeepers from across Europe, demonstrating how the college’s latest major investment is creating new opportunities for elite sport professionals, students and the wider community.
The all-weather facility at the college’s Framwellgate Moor campus was recently used by Modern-Day GK (MDGK), a specialist goalkeeping organisation, for an intensive training session involving professional players from Sweden, Portugal and Poland.
Modern-Day GK was established 10 years ago by brothers Lee, Shaun, and Mark Robinson. It focuses on modern player mindsets, decision-making, game analysis, and error-resilience training rather than traditional, rigid shot-stopping drills. With backgrounds in professional football, strength and conditioning, and sports coaching between them, the approach of MDGK combines technical development with a strong focus on confidence, decision-making and helping young goalkeepers learn from mistakes in a supportive training environment.
The business has also developed a strong network of contacts across professional football, helping players who have been released from clubs or previously overlooked by the traditional pathway to find new opportunities. In recent years, eight of its goalkeepers have progressed from being outside the professional game to signing full-time contracts.
Mark Robinson from Modern-Day GK said:
“We’re always looking for venues where we can train and, ultimately, we want to be on a full-size football pitch that meets the professional standards we need.”
“When I heard how good the facility was here, I had to see it for myself, and the pitch is amazing. We had three professional goalkeepers here at New College Durham’s MUGA, and when you reach their level, you want to coach on a professionally maintained pitch, and this definitely is!”
The MUGA forms part of New College Durham’s continued investment in high-quality facilities for students and the community. Officially opened in 2025, the facility features an all-weather pitch built to FA and Sport England standards, and it is already popular with local football organisations and forms an important part of the college’s Football Development Centre.
The college, which has made more than £34 million of investment in facilities and advanced equipment over the past five years is currently investing a further £6 million in redesigning, rebuilding and re-equipping its sports and music facilities due for completion in 2027. This project further reinforces its commitment to providing students with the latest and most relevant facilities.
With weekday use by students already strong and further opportunities being explored for local clubs and leagues, the MUGA is increasingly becoming a hub for sporting activity in County Durham.
Barry Poskett, Curriculum Manager for Sport at New College Durham
“This is much more than just a pitch. Here at New College Durham, we actively pursue and achieve the ideal of being a catalyst for positive change. It is great to see our facilities being used by organisation across the whole spectrum of ability. Whether starting out as an under-6 team member or attracting interest from players in Europe seeking to benefit from the coaching skills and facilities in the North East is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved. Our facilities are here to inspire talent, build resilience, and create pathways from grassroots football to professional academies.”
Local clubs already confirmed to use the new MUGA include Durham Women FC, Durham FC, Durham Athletic, Durham United and Shincliffe Juniors. The MUGA will also be central to the college’s Football Development Centre, run in partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation and Spennymoor Town FC.
Bookings can be made by contacting: Steven Livingstone, Sports Facility Manager