National League North club Leamington FC and the highly reputable Solihull Academy Football Club youth set up from the Junior Premier League have joined forces to create a post 16 football pathway capable of taking junior footballers to the next level.
Currently Leamington FC offer a thriving boys and girls development section plying their trade in local grassroots leagues as well as a new emerging talent Academy and Development Centres for aspiring young players from under 7 – 16s.
From season 2021 – 2022 Leamington FC will be rebranding their Professional Development Phase. More than 60 scholars aged 16 - 19 will partake in their post 16 further and higher education, Academic and Sporting Excellence programme (offering BTEC and HNC, HND qualifications). A new Under 18 Saturday team and Under 18 Floodlit team are being created as well as an exciting Under 23 / reserve team which will pave the way for the youngsters to ply their trade in mens football and work towards the goal of eventually representing the first team.
Solihull Academy FC players will have the opportunity to continue their football journey from the age of 16 with Leamington FC. Since founding their Academy in 2017 they have created an excellent foundation for youth development and formed a strong relationship with all the local professional club academies, that has seen many of their players’ progress into that academy system and also seen their own teams winning numerous national titles and tournaments, along with being invited to exclusive UK and international professional tournaments.
The unique partnership offers young players aged 7 – 16 from both clubs, access to some of the best facilities, coaching and exposure to elite environments in the West Midlands. From age 16 onwards they will then have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and play college, floodlit or adult football with an opportunity for players of all levels to achieve what they want to out of the game. Leamington FC has an envious record of providing players with an opportunity to achieve their dreams with a number of players sold to Football League clubs in recent years.
Leamington FC Football and Business Development Manager Mark Fogarty stated, "I believe that this will be a tremendous partnership between two really ambitious clubs which will give talented players the opportunity to continue their development at an advanced level as they seek to maximise their potential. Our Head of Youth Development and First Team coach Chris Knott has worked hard to make this happen and already has a strong working relationship Solihull Academy having worked with them for a number of years".
Solihull Academy FC Chairman Tommy Byrne said, ‘We are very excited to begin the partnership with such a forward thinking, motivated and highly successful club in Leamington FC. We both have the same ethos and values and a desire to provide youngsters with a pathway to elite football. Many have been released from professional club academy systems and we aim to give them the opportunity to restore their love of football and fulfil their football ambitions.’
‘This partnership provides an elite pathway for our players. Having seen Leamington’s plans for football development and a proposed move to a new stadium we are hugely excited to be part of what the future holds and providing opportunities for aspiring players around the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire areas.’
