Since September MIllwall Community Trust in partnership with Conisborough College has been delivering a 1 day a week football industry education programme with the Colleges elite football players as part of their full-time education curriculum. The programme has seen MIllwall Community Trust provide the colleges elite year 10 pupils offsite vocational football industry experience coupled with sport industry recognised qualifications delivered within the Lions Centre, St Paul’s stadium and also MIllwall FC stadium.
The colleges elite football programme was set up to help support sporting talent within the college and encourage and promote academic success. Pupils already received early morning classes and training sessions before starting the school day, with a few of these pupils going on to develop their talent and signed by professional football academies.
Through the development of the partnership with Milwall these pupils now have access to state of the art facilities, whilst also receiving tuition in vocational courses connected to the sports industry. Now as part a formalised 14 to 16 year old Millwall Community Trust Academy Education Programme the programme as become a precursor to MCT already successful Post 16 Education Academy programme.
The colleges elite football students have been attending Millwall Community Trust every Wednesday, where they start the day with circuit training and fitness session as part of morning pre-activation. They are then taught in the classroom to gain national sport industry accreditation in NCFE Health & Fitness, YMCA Fitness and Physical activity to help enable them to become professional Gym and Fitness instructors, and also achieve the FA level 1 coaching certification once they turn 16.
In addition students undertake a curriculum for life programme which includes CV writing, careers and well-being guidance, as well as a Employability and Money Management qualifications. In the afternoon the students are then provided professional football coaching where they receive UEFA A and B Coaching within the Lions centre indoor newly laid 3G pitch or at the St Paul’s Stadium facility
Will Conn Assitant Headteacher at Conisborough said of the programme
“Although in its early stages, the sessions have been extremely popular and successful and is the highlight of the students week. The students will soon be receiving their Millwall Academy kit and will be taking part in football matches at the Community Trust. On the 6th December the Elite and Aspire pupils and their family and staff were invited to watch the Millwall vs Nottingham Forest match at home which was a great experience for those attended”
Mrs Maloney Head of year 10 at Conisborough stated:
“Since the programme started students attitude to learning has improved as well as their general behaviour as they now realise the importance of being a positive role model to their peers when being part of a professional football club.
“Working alongside the MIllwall education staff and coaches has been of great value to the support of the students on the programme. The drop in visits provided by MIllwall staff has embedded this partnership as it has enabled them to go into college lessons to check on student progress and get feedback from the students teachers. All the students clearly look forward to attending MIllwall and their enthusiasm to attend is clearly evident each week as is their commitment to ensure they remain on the programme.”
