FOOTBALL: THE SEARCH for the next crop of talent to join Coventry City’s hugely successful academy is underway after it was announced that half-term trials will take place at Moreton Morrell College.
The Academy is a partnership between Sky Blues in the Community – the community arm of the League One club – and WCG.
The partnership sees academy students study full-time for two years to gain a BTEC qualification (Levels 2 or 3) in Sport whilst getting additional coaching and exposure to the world of professional football.
As part of the education programme, students are given the opportunity to gain valuable sports industry experience with Sky Blues in the Community coaching at schools, holiday courses and other community-based activities across Coventry and Warwickshire.
Players benefit from a weekly coaching and fixtures programme overseen by former Coventry City and Wales midfielder and UEFA A Licence coach David Phillips and academy coach, Chris McCoy.
The Academy represents Coventry City in the Midlands/North division of the Under 19 National Youth Development League.
The league is only open to professional football club college programmes, with 24 clubs including Bournemouth, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur playing across the four divisions.
“Being part of the academy opens the students’ eyes to to the professional world, training regularly and playing against other development sides, as well as doing the academic side as the qualification is very important too,” said Phillips.
“The college side is very strong – considering it is our first season in the league they have done very well and we’re delighted with their progress.
“The sport facilities here at Moreton Morrell are developing all the time, for example students starting in September will be able to use the brand new sports hall. It’s an exciting place to be, so I’d encourage any prospective students to come along to the trials in February half term.”
Anyone interested in the new academy is encouraged to attend the upcoming trials at Moreton Morrell College on February 21-22 (2-4pm). To register visit www.warwickshire.ac.uk/skyblues
