Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
YOUTH KOPS STEVE BOOST
Star to kick-start football projects in province
AN ambitious youth football project fronted by former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard will be launched at three bases across Northern Ireland later this year.
Liverpool Football College will offer courses in Belfast, Lurgan and Londonderry after teaming up with LLS, an award-winning sports education provider in the UK.
The courses for 16 to 19-year-olds will combine A-level equivalent educational qualifications and access to top level football coaching from UEFA licensed staff.
The two-year programme, which aims to provide a route map into professional football or the wider sports industry, runs from September and the application process is now open.
The three bases are at St Ronan’s College in Lurgan, Belfast’s Mercy College and St Cecilia’s College in Derry.
Gerrard, now managing Rangers in the SPFL, said: “This is a brilliant and exciting concept bringing the expertise of these two organisations together.
“Having supported Liverpool Football College for 10 years and been officially involved since 2019 I can’t wait to see our fantastic programme launched in Northern Ireland.
“We want to guide and shape kids so they get a better future for themselves. And with a first-class football offer and first-class education offer this course has a winning formula.”
Gerrard, who played 504 times for Liverpool and inspired the club to Champions League glory in 2005, below, believes the project will help aspiring young footballers fulfil their dreams.
He said: “This is exactly the type of opportunity I would have been after to try to better myself education-wise and also try to make something of a career for myself playingthe wise.” partnership with LLS enables Liverpool Football College to expand across the UK and ultimately globally, benefitting thousands more youngsters.
It will allow 500 aspiring footballers to work towards graduate pathways, including full-time football, university degrees and professional employment at home and abroad. Jordan Wright, Co-founder and Managing Director of LLS, said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Liverpool Football College and Steven Gerrard.
“LLS have an already established post-16 pathway for young people in Northern Ireland who have ambitions of working in the sports industry.
“And this partnership will provide further opportunities for males and females who have aspirations of accessing the world of football.” School leavers are welcome to apply for one of the final few places available for September 2020 by emailing yourfuture@llsonline. uk Applications are also open to Year 10 pupils for September 2021.