Football Excellence

FOOTBALL EXCELLENCE

This established and successful programme for both boys and girls allows students to combine full time education with professional training so that they can develop their skills both as players and coaches.

Students undertake a series of coaching awards, including; NVQ Level 1 Sport and Allied Recreations which is related to coaching in the work place and the FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football. In the first year students complete the Emergency First Aid and Child Protection Awards and in year two they complete the NVQ Level 2 Football Coaching Award.

Students learn through taught lessons, group discussions, research and individual study and spend a lot of time learning by doing and some time in the ICT suite. Although there are theory elements, it will be practical wherever possible eg. football specific sessions, coaching, fitness, and preparing for coaching.

Students are assessed via practical coaching sessions and on written tasks.

Students also experience a structured professional training programme to enhance their technical, tactical, physical and social attributes, with specialist fitness and goalkeeping coaching. The Colleges Wednesday League guarantees an opportunity for everyone to compete on a weekly basis. For our elite players, the highly successful Representative Squad has experienced considerable success over recent seasons.

The College regularly supply the Greater Manchester Colleges Team with players and our links within the professional and semi-professional game ensure that opportunities abound. For example, students have completed work experience with Manchester United Soccer Schools, Manchester Citys Junior Academy and gone on to play semi professional football while others have progressed to scholarship programmes in the US.

The only special entry requirements are that students are very enthusiastic, reliable and have some ability in the game. After the interview stage and the choice of a provisional main programme of study (AS Levels or BTEC etc) students are asked to attend a football coaching day or trial. At this event students are assessed and selected on the basis of their football ability, attitude and commitment.