The Chelsea Foundation is on the lookout for male and female students in Year 11, who have a keen interest in developing as football players and as potential coaches and teachers of the future.
Through our programmes run in conjunction with Merrist Wood College in Guildford and Matthew Arnold School in Staines, we are offering a BTEC Level 3 Diploma (and extended diploma) in Sport.
The academic programme is equivalent to three A Levels and runs alongside the practical football-based element adding specialised units, such as nutrition and anatomy, which can help students progress into the sport and leisure industries.
The football programme is timetabled around the academic commitments, with the aim being to develop all players technically and tactically, both in a practical and theory-based setting. This is complemented by appropriate fixtures and matches which are continually monitored throughout the programme.
Ian Woodroffe, international development manager for the Chelsea Foundation, said: ‘We are very proud of the programmes and facilities offered both at Merrist Wood College, which includes residential accommodation, and Matthew Arnold School, which includes a state of the art gym and 4G Astroturf.
‘Fundamental to these relationships is the synergy and dedication to maximise student achievement, an aspect all organisations work hard to support and are proud of. We have seen many students progress into careers in the sports industries, often as coaches, scholarships to the USA and even players progressing to the Chelsea Ladies first team in Drew Spence and Hannah Blundell.’
All coaching and matches are delivered by experienced Foundation coaches and all players will have access to train and play at Chelsea’s training ground, and receive full training kit as well as further opportunities to get involved with the club through special events and work experience.
Selected players are able to play in both regional college leagues, plus the English Colleges Football Association Leagues. The courses also include weekly sessions specifically based around strength and conditioning training, along with physiotherapist’s treatments, for those players injured while participating in the programme.
Head of learning and standards for sport and public services at Merrist Wood, Jo Rollinson, said: ‘We have been working in close association with the Chelsea Foundation for the last four years and the courses will help to develop students’ football ability and provide them with the knowledge and skills to work in the industry.’
To apply for the programme all students must register at the colleges for an interview before they can be accepted for trials for the academic course. For more information please visit:
• Merrist Wood College female course.
• Merrist Wood College male course.
• Matthew Arnold School.
For further information please contact international development officer Zak Wooster on 07515 221542 or via zak.wooster@chelseafc.com