Club and College join forces to deliver popular FE course.
Luton Town FC and Barnfield College have joined forces to rescue a popular educational scheme which looked set to be scrapped.
The Scheme had operated successfully for a number of years, in conjunction with Hitchin Town FC.
Thankfully, following the recent announcement of Barnfield College as the Hatters’ main sponsor for 2015-16 the Club are delighted that Barnfield College have stepped into the breach to ensure the continuation of this popular and successful course. The college will benefit through increased revenues and the young players will receive extended top-class coaching from Club staff.
The course, which allows 16 year old school-leavers to participate in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport course, giving them a minimum of 16 hours of academic tuition per week plus 12 hours of football coaching each week from highly qualified Luton Town coaching staff, which includes their FA Level 1 & 2 coaching badges.
The boys play in the Football Conference Youth Alliance against some of the top professional clubs in the country and in recent seasons the team have won regional league and cup competitions.
At the end of the course there are a number of career and playing options open to the boys as the qualification they earn counts towards the University admissions system; they have coaching qualifications which might open up opportunities to move into coaching either locally, maybe within Luton Town’s Community Trust or as far afield as the United States, where some ex-students are now working.
Luton Town always monitors the progress of the boys and many of the players extend their playing experience via Hitchin Town FC or other local semi-professional clubs.
Tim Eyton-Jones, Principal and CEO of Barnfield College said “This is an exciting opportunity for Barnfield College to engage with both Luton Town and Hitchin Town FC. Plans exist at the college to develop and progress further high quality led teaching, which naturally go hand in hand with the coaching provision offset against the classroom environment; supportive, team work and excellence as the benchmark.”
“We look forward to welcoming students to the college over the coming season”, he added.
Luton Town Chief Executive, Gary Sweet said “This educational programme is an important part of the Club’s link with the local community. Not only does it allow us to keep a close eye on the development of those players who narrowly missed out on a scholarship place, it also provides a real opportunity for more local lads to find a career path within football. I am delighted that Barnfield College have entered into this partnership with us.”
Mark Burke, Hitchin Town 1st Team Manager said “Hitchin Town have always had an excellent relationship with Luton Town and this relationship has flourished with the delivery of the college programme based at the Arena in Baldock. We are grateful to Barnfield College for stepping in and ensuring the course will continue for both existing and new learners. We look forward to this new and exciting partnership that can only benefit all parties involved”
With the new term due to start on Tuesday 1st September there are still places available on the course for 2015-16 with training/recruitment sessions taking place at the Baldock Arena on Friday 21st, Monday 24th, Wednesday 26th and Friday 28th August from 1pm finishing at 3.30pm.
If you think this course might be for you then contact Hitchin Town FC by email on info@htcfc.co.uk for further details or to book yourself on one of the sessions as listed above.