Leamington FC and WCG have announced the renewal of their partnership and football academy, following a successful first season.
Launched in September 2018, the innovative collaboration sees WCG’s football academy students train during the week at its Moreton Morrell College, with the team playing matches at Brakes’ 3,000 capacity Phillips 66 Community Stadium.
The course offers up to 10 hours a week of professional coaching, fitness training, nutritional advice, strength and conditioning, and the opportunity to play competitive games in the AoC College League and potentially the Academy League.
In addition, students receive daily and matchday coaching from Leamington's first team midfielders Kieran Dunbar and Kaiman Anderson, season tickets to Leamington FC and chances to train with the first team.
The students also study a two-year Level 3 Diploma in Sport which focuses heavily on the coaching principles, anatomy and physiology and the fitness demands required for sports performance.
This qualification is equivalent to two A Levels and prepares students to go on to higher education or into the workplace.
Philippa Gerrard, Head of Department for Sport at WCG, said: “The cooperation with Leamington FC reflects the ambition of WCG’s sporting programme.
“WCG is committed to developing Moreton Morrell College as a national centre for excellence in sport and the Football Academy, in conjunction with Leamington FC, is at the heart of this aim.
“The course provides students with an opportunity to realise their full footballing potential in a professional environment under the guidance of first-class coaches.
“At the same time, our extensive academic programme opens up progression to degree level courses.
“We look forward to another successful season on and off the pitch.”
Mark Fogarty, Football Consultant for Leamington FC, said: “I am delighted that the football club and Moreton Morrell college have renewed their partnership for the academic year.
“We have tried to make it as professional as it can possibly be and to give the boys a real feeling of being part of the club. This has been cemented by the appointments of first team players Kieran Dunbar and Kaiman Anderson as lead coaches. Both players have been professional footballers and have been excellent to date.
“It is our intention to give the players the opportunity to maximise their potential on and off the pitch, and to give them experiences and input into lots of different areas around the football club, particularly on match days.
“Over the course of the year, we are going to work alongside secondary schools to talk about our partnership with WCG in a bid to add to academy numbers.”
Paul Holleran, Leamington FC First Team manager, said: "I'm absolutely delighted that our academy is confirmed and as first team manager it will get my full support. Academy players and staff will be involved in first team matters immediately.”
For more information and to find out about upcoming trials for the Leamington FC Academy visit www.wcg.ac.uk/leamingtonfc
