NEXT TRIAL DATE ANNOUNCED - REGISTER HERE
Kingston College has a proven track record of providing talented young footballers with the opportunity to pursue their sporting ambitions whilst completing a full-time academic qualification on one of these three courses:
- Level 2 OCR Certificate in Sport (in conjunction with Bedfont Sports FC Academy)
- Level 3 BTEC Extended Certificate in Sport & Exercise Science
- Level 3 BTEC Extended Certificate in Sport Coaching
Our Football Academy bridges the gap between grassroots youth football and men's semi-professional football and beyond – with a track record of past students now pursuing their footballing dreams! Others have continued studying and working in the world of sport in management, coaching and physiotherapy. Joe Aribo played for Rangers FC and now plays for Southampton FC and Nigeria; Dom Dwyer won a scholarship to the USA and plays for Orlando City; Joe Edwards has held coaching positions at Chelsea, Everton and England U20s to name just a few. Hear from student and academy player, Radostin, as well as highly-qualified head coach Charlie Croydon.
Why we are the BEST at what we do:
- We strive to develop the footballing and academic skills of talented young players, providing progression opportunities into semi-professional and professional football whilst obtaining the knowledge and qualifications necessary to further strengthen their backbone for success.
- We are a College with a really strong reputation for education and sport.
- We train at Goals Tolworth with its all-weather surfaces and top-class facilities.
- We are fully supported and have an excellent partnership with Bedfont Sports FC where we play all our home games, using their highly developed stadium, playing games on their 4G pitch.
- We have unrivalled indoor sports facilities including a gym and sports hall which academy students get free full use of. Our gym integrates numerous types of training in a social, open-plan layout. We have an amazing range of equipment divided into specialized zones – areas for cardio, free weights, weights machines and mat work.
- Our four Academy staff members are experienced, highly qualified with years of service and who are motivated to give students the best opportunity.
- Our Academy is a friendly and welcoming environment which is consistently centred around our high standards that include hard work, commitment, enthusiasm and one common goal - to improve ourselves as people and as players every day.
To be eligible to be part of our Football Academy, you must:
- Be aged 16-18 (when your course starts).
- Be enrolled on a full-time Sports course at Kingston College (links to the 3 courses are above).
- Attend and pass trials. The trials may involve being invited to train with the current academy squad or attending one of our group trials which take place during holiday breaks.
As an Academy player you will have access to the following:
- UEFA qualified Coaching and Management team.
- 2 ½ hour outdoor training sessions twice a week at Goals Tolworth.
- Evening matches under floodlights or Wednesday daytime matches at Bedfont Sports FC.
- Excellent training and match day facilities at Bedfont Sports FC.
- Free College gym membership for all academy players with strength and conditioning gym programmes developed for each individual player.
- Nutrition plans and guidance given to all players as part of their Academy programme.
- Pre-season training in July and August in preparation for the season ahead. Fitness assessments conducted 3 times throughout the season.
- Access to a fully qualified physiotherapist at Bedfont Sports FC.
- Personalised Academy Training kit to be purchased by all Academy players at vastly reduced prices.
- Match day kit(s) supplied for all Academy teams as well as coach or minibus transport to all away games.
You will compete in the following football leagues:
- Isthmian Youth League (u18 squad)
- Tactic League system (u19 squads)
- You will also participate in the following competitions:
- FA Youth Cup
- Middlesex Youth Cup
- Isthmian Youth Cup
- Tactic League Cup
- British Colleges Regional and National Competitions
All players will be given advice on their pathway to Professional or Semi Professional Football.
As many of our players have gained scholarships to play and study in the USA, we have close connections with companies and Universities that can offer this opportunity.
Bedfont Sports FC as a club has a very young squad and are very pro-active in promoting Academy players.
All players will have the opportunity to take their Level 1/2 FA Coaching courses, or to volunteer with KC Active providing recreational sport to students at Kingston College. There are also opportunities to gain experience and income by being part of the group of Academy players who coach or referee in schools in the Teddington and Twickenham and Bedfont area.
Keep up-to-date with our Academy on Instagram for further insights.
For more information, email Charlie.Croydon@stcg.ac.uk.
Register your interest by completing the form below.
