It’s that time of the year, when many students are searching for their next step in education and with the Chelsea Foundation, there’s no need to look any further as we open applications for our College Academy programme which offers the opportunity to combine academic studies alongside football.
Students will spend 10 to 12 hours a week on the football pitch, including fixtures in various Under-19 leagues in the National Football Youth League, local FA leagues and cup competitions.
The hours on the football pitch will go alongside academic studies with the option to study up to four A-Levels, BTEC Sport qualifications or a mixture of the two.
Students will also be given access to further support including the opportunity to attend Industry Insight events, where professionals from the football club discuss their career paths and potential job routes.
With our collaboration with St Mary’s University in Twickenham, our college academy students will also be provided with regular seminars and college visits, providing a pathway into higher education.
The College Cup is also included in the programme, a competition which is held at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground where all the Foundation’s college academies take part in a tournament, with 18 players selected to represent the Foundation against other clubs and academies.
Chelsea Foundation’s senior officer of Football Projects, James Phillips said: ‘We are delighted to be back physically delivering all of our college academy programmes after what has been a difficult year for everyone.
‘We have successfully delivered our virtual programme to our college academy students throughout the lockdown periods but there is no substitute for getting back out on the pitches and returning to training and fixtures.
‘We are already looking forward to the 2021/22 season with plenty of plans afoot to have an even bigger and better programme.
‘These programmes offer those students that want to combine an education programme with their love of football and represent one of the world’s leading clubs.
‘Playing in high quality leagues against top opposition wearing the blue of Chelsea is something I wish I had the chance to do when I was younger and would certainly jump at the chance to do so now!’
Nick Brown, Foundation Sussex area manager, added: ‘College Academies are so important to the Foundation as they are the culmination of our football player pathway.
‘What a great opportunity to learn and train in one programme and compete against some of the top clubs in competitive leagues.’
If any students are interested in joining a Chelsea Foundation College Academy please visit here to find your nearest college.