We've teamed up with Argyle Community Trust and City College Plymouth to provide a new Post 16 Football Development and Education Programme at Coach Road.

Starting next September, the course will allow talented and enthusiastic youngsters in the region to combine education with the life of a professional footballer, hosted at Devon FA’s bespoke headquarters and football facility at Coach Road, Newton Abbot.

Students will study towards a BTEC in Sport, equivalent to 3 A-Levels, alongside a full-time football training and games programme.

Players typically receive up to ten hours of training each week, including technical, tactical and strength and conditioning specific training, as well as futsal sessions and planned recovery sessions to maximise development.

The programme boasts UEFA qualified coaches and experienced educators with the added benefit of the facilities at Coach Road including a state-of-the-art, full-size, floodlit 3G pitch.

The new post-16 programme compliments the existing provision based at Home Park Stadium, home of Plymouth Argyle Football Club, and Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Cornwall.

Devon FA CEO, Paul Morrison, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Plymouth Argyle Community Trust and City College Plymouth for what will be an exciting football and educational programme. Both Plymouth Argyle and City College have great experience in looking after Post 16 students, and we are grateful that they have agreed to partner with ourselves to provide the programme at Coach Road.”

Argyle Community Trust Head of Education & Employment, Gareth Harries added, “We are delighted to be partnering with Devon FA and City College Plymouth. We prepare our students not only for life in football but life after it. The Trust has found education and sport a perfect combination, enabling students to work academically towards nationally recognised qualifications and gain great insight into working in the sports industry".

Karen Dorow, Executive of Health & Lifestyle Professions at City College Plymouth, has this to say, "This partnership marks the start of a positive collaboration piece where young people can take advantage of both sports and academic studies. As a learning destination of choice, our aim is to always equip our students with the skills they require to enter the world of work, this requires a broad range of training that will allow students to develop and aspire to achieve their career goals. Partnering with the Devon FA and Plymouth Argyle Community Trust will make for a strong and exciting partnership for our region."

Young people aged between 16 and 18 can apply now.

To find out more or register your interest, please email gareth.harries@pafc.co.uk

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