PERSHORE College has teamed up with Cheltenham Town Football Club for a new partnership to allow students the opportunity to join their football development programme and be coached by the club’s UEFA-A coaches.
The collaboration will see aspiring footballers study full-time for two years to gain a BTEC qualification (Level 3) in Sport and Physical Activities, whilst getting additional coaching and exposure to semi-professional football.
The programme also provides access to financial support and funding towards training and competitions, and gives students free physiotherapy, nutritional advice and a tailored physical conditioning and training programme.
Neil Coker, WCG group Vice Principal, said: “The new partnership is part of our long term plan to further develop Pershore College as a national centre for excellence in sport.
“The partnership with Cheltenham Town FC will present young footballers with a very real opportunity to learn and train with top class coaches and will provide an excellent platform to launch a career in football or associated professions.”
Players in the development programme will benefit from up to 10 hours of additional football each week and play their fixtures in the English Football League Community, Education Football Alliance League and the AoC College League.
Cheltenham Town academy manager Antoine Thompson said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young footballers heading into post-16 education to benefit from a programme that balances both education and their love for playing football.
“The students will progress through training and coaching in an elite environment, with an exciting pathway either into football or other areas of the game and the sports environment in general.”
Visit www.wcg.ac.uk/cheltenhamtownfc or call 03004 560049 for more.
