Following a highly successful year for our Men's and newly-formed Women's football education programmes, we are excited to share information with you for the 2022/23 season.

Once again, a wide range of courses are available to prospective student athletes. Our students studying A Levels and BTEC's this year have been able to achieve success both academically and on the football pitch, including a number of current Academy players making First Team appearances across both the Men's and Women's programmes.

The Women’s Academy team will be playing in the ECFA Premier Division in the 2022/23 season, and the Men’s play in the U19 National League, U18 Midland Floodlit Youth League and FA Youth Cup. These are the highest levels of College football in England and allow pathways into the senior game. The programme also presents opportunities through US scholarships, higher education links and national trials.

“We are delighted with the progress of the students and to see some of them starting to be involved with the Men’s and Women’s First Teams is a great credit to everyone involved,” said Chairman Andy Pountney, reflecting on the success of the Academy so far. “It is a great opportunity for students to combine their education with the football programme that is available. We look forward to you becoming part of the team!”

“Enrolling in the Academy programme has been a great move for me,” says Women’s Academy goalkeeper and captain Ashleigh Walton.

Ashleigh, who was part of the Women’s Academy’s initial intake in September 2021, recently made her competitive First Team debut for Stourbridge, and explains how the Academy has helped her development both on and off the pitch.

“It’s allowed me to combine further education with developing my football so that I have a wide range of options for my future career. The football programme is excellent, the coaching is high quality, and the facilities and support - such as strength and conditioning and fitness programmes - are very impressive.”

If you are interested, then you can attend one of our Open Days/Evenings/Events or contact us directly about the programme and to ask any questions you may have using the details below!

You can also download a copy of our 2022/23 Academy Brochure via the link below.

Men’s: Simon.king@dudleycol.ac.uk
Women's: WomensAcademy@stourbridgefc.com