College Football Academy starts second season

An innovative partnership to bring football and the classroom together has started its second season.

Furness College has teamed up with Barrow AFC to launch the second cohort of the College Football Academy.

Eleven new students have joined the course, which combines a Level 3 Sport Diploma with the chance to train and learn the business aspects of football with Barrow AFC coaches.

Furness College sport tutor Glyn Chapman said: “The partnership with Barrow AFC is a great opportunity for any students interested in careers within the sport industry because it allows them to experience what goes on in all aspects.

“This partnership means we are able to access the expert facilities at Barrow AFC and our students are offered placements with Barrow AFC to work alongside some of their staff.”

Students are taught by specialist tutors at the Channelside campus and enjoy practical learning with professional coaches from Barrow AFC, a Club newly promoted to the Football League for 2020/21.

Royanna Davies, who plays for Morecambe Ladies, said: “I am enjoying the Football Academy as I can improve my skills and tactics through the practical coaching sessions along with learning about different areas of sport to get qualifications to help me work in sport in the future.”

Another student Sam Johnstone said: “On the course I get to work on being a better player in the coaching sessions and in the classroom learn about lots about sport so I could have a career working in sport.”

The programme aims to develop player’s technical ability alongside academic skills/knowledge and prepare learners for a job in the sport and fitness industry or progression to further study at university level in areas including sports science or sports psychology.

Barrow Chief Executive, Levi Gill added: “Barrow AFC are delighted to continue our relationship with Furness College.
“As a club, we want to play a role at the heart of our community so this partnership, bringing education and professional development to students through Furness College, is something we take great pride in.”
For the full course information please visit: https://www.furness.ac.uk/courses/course-detail/course/sport-academy-barrow-afc/

For all our sport offerings please visit: https://www.furness.ac.uk/?s=sport

If you have any questions please email: info@furness.ac.uk

Photo caption: Students from the College Football Academy 2020, a partnership between Furness College and Barrow AFC

Back Left to right:
David Johnson-Herdman, Ellis Archer, Alex Thompson, Mitchell Kay, Alfie Thorpe

Front left to right
Sam Johnston, Rebecca Jones-Irwin, Royanna Davies, Josh Ward-Rozo