The Academy – An Overview
The programmes offer 16-18 year olds the unique chance to experience the perfect mix of a full time sports students life with a professional footballers life. Three training sessions a week are simply ‘part of the timetable’ in amongst full time lessons on carefully designed qualifications that lead to further study at University or the world of work. With 1 or 2 games a week in there as well, the life of a football academy student is hectic but gives all involved a fantastic footballing/educational experience.
The Academy has already attracted the attention of many of the sports major players as partners, including several pro clubs who will cast a watchful eye over the development of our players.
Full-time education for 16-18 year olds alongside a full time football environment, equivalent to 3 x A levels. 1 and 2 year courses available to suit the specific needs of every learners.
The programme features…
- Ofsted ‘good’ education
- Meaningful qualifications with progression to further study at University, the world of work, scholarships in the USA and semi-pro and pro football
- Industry specialist tutors and UEFA A licence coaches
- Industry work placements
- Train like a pro, with sessions 4 days a week and competitive matches
- Opportunity to play in the FA Youth Cup
- Warm-weather training camp*
- Lancaster City Academy Training kit
- Opportunities for paid employment alongside your studies
- Pro level education and training facilities at Lancaster University
- Pro level technical support including GPS tracking and performance analysis
- Personalised strength & conditioning, nutrition and lifestyle support
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation access
- Masterclass sessions from professionals in the game
Career progression opportunities…
- Professional / semi-professional footballer
- Football/Sports Coach
- Physio
- PE Teacher
- Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer
- Sports Journalist
- Performance Analyst
- Sports Scientist
- Nutritionist
- Sports Psychologist
- Plus an endless amount of careers through transferable skills
Education Explained
Students will be placed onto the most suitable course depending on their entry grades.
BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport (Equivalent to 3 x A Levels)
This qualification offers you the opportunity to develop vocationally relevant, practical skills and knowledge in Sport through exploring topics in small groups and as an individual, both in lesson and through additional activity including external work experience. Assessment is on-going throughout the year via course work which you build into a ‘portfolio’. You will also have the opportunity to gain additional qualifications such as coaching badges. You will explore a range of different topics, an example of these would be: Training and Fitness – Sports Nutrition – Anatomy & Physiology – Sports Psychology – Sports Massage – Fitness Testing – Sports Coaching and Sports Development.
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Sport (Equivalent to 4 x GCSE at grade A-C)
This qualification gives students the opportunity to develop personal and sporting skills within both practical and theory lessons. The course includes a broad range of subjects and modules, assessed through coursework and controlled exams, these modules include; Physiology, Practical Sport, Working in Sport, Sports Research and Fitness Instructing. Students will also continue to improve their skills in English, Mathematics and ICT. There will be opportunities to take additional qualifications in Sport related areas to enhance your CV.
The Football Programme
The academy programme gives our full time students the unique chance to experience the almost perfect mix of a full time sports students life with a professional footballers life. 3 training sessions a week are simply ‘part of the timetable’ in amongst full time lessons. With 1 or 2 games a week in there as well, the life of a football academy student is hectic but gives all involved a fantastic footballing/educational experience. Our fantastic facilities include FIFA standard all weather facility, grass pitches, gym, sports science lab and rehabilitation rooms. Ex Professional footballers and A licence holders are on the coaching staff, and our back room team includes a goalkeeper coach, physio and performance analyst. With equal opportunities to progress in either professional/semi-professional football or onto the University of your choice (in this country or in the USA), the Lancaster City Academy is ‘THE’ place to progress for young, talented football mad 16-19 year olds and gain a high quality Further Education qualification into the bargain.
Places available in September 2020…
There are 25 places available in the academy squad, see our key dates section to see how you can get involved.
Entry criteria…
Students are selected from football ability and academic standards as well as these key criteria we will also assess commitment and attitude during our training camps.
Competitions played in…
The Academy play in the AOC national colleges football leagues on a Wednesday afternoon as well as the FA Youth Cup, Lancashire Cup and AOC Colleges trophy. This sees us travel as far north as the Lake District and as far south as Cheshire and Staffordshire. This gives the students the chance to pit their wits against some of the best non-league and professional football youth teams around and experience playing under floodlit conditions at night within stadiums.
Representative opportunities…
We will send outstanding players to trial for the Lancashire FA under 19 side and the North West Colleges representative sides. Excelling for these sides can lead to international call ups for England schools or Colleges Under 19 sides.
The football element of the Academy is run just like a professional football club. Players will have codes of conduct they must adhere to, covering everything from match and training clothing to on pitch conduct.