For the last few years Leamington Football Club’s post 16 Academy, in partnership with Moreton Morrell College, has gone from strength to strength and doubled its numbers. This has allowed the club to create a pathway for youngsters from the age of 6 all the way through to full time Under 18’s, and a very talented Under 19 squad.
The missing link has been to have a Reserve/Under 23 team with the aim of attracting talented players from all across the region who want to stay in higher education but don’t particularly wish to travel to a university.
In partnership with Moreton Morrell College the club are expanding the current provision to enable players aged 19 and over to continue in higher education and also train full time and compete for a place in what will be a newly formed Brakes reserve side.
The college is going to introduce a Higher National Certificate from September 2021 which will allow players from across the various regions to stay in full time football once they have finished their current qualification at college. This will also act as the first year towards a full degree. The HNC is delivered in Year 1, followed by a HND ( Higher National Diploma ) in Year 2. A top up to a full degree can be gained in the final year at University.
The club will be one of few in the country that are working with an educational establishment to offer this opportunity, and it also provides youngsters finishing some of the other post 16 schemes the chance to jump on board.
With Leamington being the highest ranked Non League football club in Coventry & Warwickshire, only two divisions below the Football League, and with a proven recent track record of helping promising young players back into the professional game, we believe that this can provide a realistic pathway for talented players into our first team and beyond.
Trials are already taking place but any player interested in the course should contact Football and Business Development Manager Mark Fogarty (MScSD) at mark.fogarty@leamingtonfc.co.uk or call him on 07564 926231.
