County youngsters sign up for college
STOCKPORT County and Stockport College are hoping to prove the perfect match in offering football training and education for youngsters.
The club and the college have teamed up to offer higher education combined with professional training from a first team coach.
Studies for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) programme in Sport will be planned around academy training and match commitments.
This will allow County to keep promising youngsters on their books for an additional year as they look to establish themselves at Edgeley Park.
Stockport County director Steve Bellis said: “We are delighted to bring the education of our academy players back to Stockport.
“The education of our young players is an absolute priority and it is essential that we equip every player with the qualifications that will enable them to develop careers in sport regardless of their on-field achievements.
“The new course enables us to retain players for an extra year, further enhancing the opportunity for our youngsters to progress into the first team squad. It is clear that both the college and the club have some exciting times ahead.”
Academics from the college and coaching staff from Edgeley Park have worked together to design the one-year course that will look at performance, coaching analysis and skills development in professional sport.
Links with Sheffield Hallam University will then allow students to progress from the HNC to the second year of a degree course.
The programme will begin in September next year and 16 players have so far been accepted.
Dr Mike Potter, college chief executive, said: “We are now proudly working with Stockport County to provide an exciting offer linked to professional training from a first team coach.
“It will allow learners to continue with their passion for football alongside studying a qualification locally, planned around their training and match commitments.”
Stockport College is currently planning a future away from its Wellington Road South campus.
It is planning to merge with Trafford College and is looking to base itself at Stockport Transport Interchange when that is completed in around 2020.