College girls a League apart in Cup decider
STUDENT players representing Sunderland AFC are celebrating after winning a tournament featuring some of the country’s biggest football clubs.
The Women’s Football Scholars – a sport and education programme delivered by Sunderland College and the Foundation of Light – lifted the NFYL League Cup at Bolton Wanderers’ University of Bolton Stadium following a 2-1 extra-time victory against Barking Abbey Football Academy.
Overcoming the likes of Everton and Huddersfield to reach the final of a competition which included development sides from Women’s Super League giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham marked the end of a successful first year for the citywide partnership between the college and the Foundation.
Dan Finney, Sports Academies and Partnership Manager, said: “We are so proud of the achievement of our Women’s Football Scholars.
“Playing at that standard on a weekly basis is a huge challenge so to lift a national trophy is exceptional.
“The effort of our student players and our partners at the Foundation of Light has clearly paid off and this is an experience they will remember forever.”
The men’s and women’s football scholarships give young people the opportunity to study a wide range of courses at the college while taking part in a comprehensive football programme led by the Foundation’s highly-qualified coaches.
Each scholarship is designed to mirror the ethos and schedule of professional football academies.
Students train under the guidance of UEFA and FA-qualified coaches at the college’s multi-million-pound Sports Academy at its Bede Campus and the world-class Beacon of Light, while representing the Black Cats in regional and national competitions.
Off the pitch, students can follow bespoke academic pathways, studying vocational qualifications or ALevels, ensuring they have the skills, knowledge and experience to progress into employment, further study or higher education.
Women’s scholarship head coach Steve McLarence said: “Considering it was a cup final at a professional stadium, on a pitch like that, we’ve done really well and worked really hard throughout the game.
“We’ve always had girls come into the programme who work hard and want to be better in the classroom and on the football pitch.
“The fact we have won something every season shows how much they have progressed year on year and we have brought players in who we think want to improve.”