The new football academy has been launched in partnership with Dudley College for male players leaving school this summer and wanting to take their first steps into a career in football.

The Academy will combine professional football training with a BTEC sports qualification, giving Academy members a pathway into the professional game, whilst allowing them to develop broader skills that can lead to a range of sports related careers.

Academy members will study for up to two years for a Diploma in sport coaching development and fitness, whilst combining regular training sessions and match commitments. The Academy Squad is hoping to compete in the National League U19 Alliance.

The open evening will be staged at the Stourbridge FC ground on High Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge (Postcode - DY8 4HN).

Trials will be staged later in March.

[b]Aspiring players should register their interest immediately via the Dudley College website: https://www.dudleycol.ac.uk/Courses/Full-Time

For further information on the Dudley Academies Trust contact:
Debbie Goode T: 07795470336 E: Debbie.goode@dudleycol.ac.uk

The Academy Manager Rachel Corns said: “Dudley College has a track record of providing players to Stourbridge FC so this formalises the relationship. Chris Knight, ex England College’s player and ex- Dudley student is playing in the first team and Jake Brigdale, our current student, is a youth team player involved with the first team squad. We’re hoping that by working closer together we will have many more of these success stories in the future.”

Andy Bullingham, Vice Chairman and Head of Junior Football at Stourbridge FC, welcomed the new initiative saying: “The club has had a marvellous cup run and our young talent has been part of that achievement. We have a long established youth development programme and this takes it to the next level. This creates a pathway for young player into non-league football and beyond. Dan Scarr who starred in our run to the FA Cup Third Round has just signed a two-and-a-half year contract for Birmingham City, so he’s living proof that the dream of a professional contract can become a reality.”

• Dudley College is one of the most successful further education colleges in the UK, providing a wide range of education and training programmes across the West Midlands enrolling some12,000 students each year across four thousand academic and technical programmes, on both a full and part-time basis.

• In 2015/16 Dudley College supported 3,852 young people aged 16-18 years on full time skills based programmes and 484 young people on A levels. Achievement rates for full time young people are high, often significantly above national rates. A level achievements are also high and above national rates.

• Dudley College has been at the forefront of delivering high levels of growth in apprenticeship numbers in the region. In 2015/16 Dudley College supported 3,845 apprentices of which 1,524 were young people aged16-18 year olds. With an overall achievement rate significantly above national rates the college is well placed to continue to deliver advanced and higher level technical qualifications to meet the region’s skills needs.

• In 2013 Ofsted rated Dudley College as “good” with many outstanding features.

• The college is one of few nationally to have achieved the prestigious STEM Assured kite mark.