In 2012, Rotherham United Sports College opened at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, welcoming their first-year group of students. One of these students was Hussein Salam. Hussein has since gone on to have a remarkably successful career as a Sports and English teacher in China, he shared with us his experience here at Rotherham United Sports College and his journey to where he is now. 

Hussein studied a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma along with 14 other students in his year group, taking part in regular football training and matches, futsal games and much more. After completing his journey with Rotherham United, Hussein then studied at university. “The units I got to learn here were so hands on, I got to practice and put into use all the skills I learnt in the classroom, it made all the knowledge very valuable and felt more useful to the written work I was doing at university.” 

Hussein heard out about the college opening in 2012 through the Community Trust, as his brother was working for RUCT at the time and Hussein himself was involved beforehand delivering sessions in schools and this only grew once his college journey began allowing him to gain valuable work experience hours. 

During his time with Rotherham United, Hussein got more involved within the community via the Community Trust and other local grassroots teams. He played football multiple times a week outside of college and took a leading role in the RUCT Youth Forum, a group that still runs in 2024. “I have so many fond memories of community events whilst I was studying, from working with the council in anti-racism sessions, to meeting all the staff at the Trust who always encouraged us to take on new opportunities.” 

We asked Hussein about what he thinks the difference is in studying somewhere like Rotherham United compared to a typical college, “I liked studying with people that had similar interests to me, they like sports, they liked being active, watching football, talking about football. We were all here for the same reason.” 

After completing his qualifications with Rotherham United Sports College, Hussein worked locally for a while and then decided to take the leap and work abroad. “I knew that if I didn’t make the move soon, I was going to stay in Rotherham forever.” Hussein applied for a teaching role in China and was immediately accepted. “It was daunting, moving from a small town to a country with a population of 1.4 billion and skyscrapers as far as you can see.”  

Hussein has since had a successful career teaching young people Sports and now English, a job he told us he feels rewarded at every day. “I always wanted to be a PE teacher, and with the opportunities I was given over in China I have just fallen into being an English teacher. But I enjoy what I do and feel proud of my students every day.” 

When asked what was next in Hussein’s plan, he told us “I think I will stay in China for now, the work life balance is really good and it’s the other things that make a job – the people, the lifestyle, and everything.” 

Everyone at Rotherham United Community Trust and Rotherham United Sports College are incredibly proud of Hussein and his successes and wish him all the best for his future endeavours. To find out more about Rotherham United Sports College, click here. Or to hear about the success of another student, Alfie Bakes, click here.