Derby Ladies unveil college partnership

LOUGHBOROUGH College has unveiled a new education partnership with Derby County Ladies.

The partnership will see the Ewe Rams help to launch a 2-year Education Programme for 16-19 year old’s based at the Loughborough Academy of Sports campus on Loughborough University grounds and offering a full pathway into the game.

Loughborough Academy of Sports Head Football Coach Jay Groocock said “The Loughborough Academy of Sports has run a very successful men’s programme for a number of years and we felt that with the growth of the women’s game, there was a unique opportunity to create a women’s programme too, that was partnered with a successful club such as Derby County Ladies.

“We wanted to have a partnership with a vibrant up and coming club and when we spoke to Derby County Ladies, their vision and ambition for the programme matched ours and it was really a case then of getting everything in place and we are now ready to launch the initiative.

“The partnership will enable the Academy and the club to work together to create opportunities in football and give 16-19 year old girls an outstanding education whether it is through A-Levels or Extended B-Tec Diplomas.

“At Loughborough College, we are proud to be able to offer first class sporting facilities and we have a rich history of educating professional men and women football players that have gone on to have very successful careers in the game.

“Hopefully our new partnership with Derby County Ladies will lay the path for more future professionals in the women’s game.”

Derby County Ladies Chief Executive Duncan Gibb said the partnership with Loughborough Academy of Sports signalled the intentions of the Ewe Rams to become an elite club in the women’s game and represented a fantastic opportunity for players futures.

“Without doubt, this has to be one of the most important partnerships that we have ever done and to sign an Educational Partnership with the leading sports college in the country shows exactly what we are wanting to achieve here at Derby County Ladies.

“This will give an initial 2-year pathway to the women’s game but has the potential to be so much more and link to a 5-year pathway with Loughborough University. The game is getting bigger by the day and we want players to choose Derby County Ladies because we give a viable option for a duel career.

“We will be able to offer opportunities to players coming through the ranks and those looking to make the elite game, hopefully with us. The facilites on offer are second to none and the added extras that will come with this programme are what will set it apart from others.

“We’ve been working on this project for the best part of seven months and were hugely impressed with Jay Groocock and the team at Loughborough.”