A NEW football development programme is being launched by Bromsgrove Sporting to offer budding footballers the chance to realise their potential.
The scheme will be a partnership between the club and Colmers School and Sixth Form College in Rednal.
The programme will offer 16 to 19-year-old players of the beautiful game the chance to join the Colmers Sixth Form and Bromsgrove Sporting Football Foundation team with the first cohort taking their places in September 2025.
This collaboration will see the creation of a brand-new team based at Colmers School where students will have the chance to play competitive games every Wednesday and train with Bromsgrove Sporting’s UEFA-qualified coaches alongside completing their academic studies.
Football development officer Iain Queen, said: “This is a massive step forward for the club and another area which will help Bromsgrove Sporting to grow.
“As a club it is imperative that we are offering our community opportunities to remain in football alongside their post-16 education.
“There is a huge pool of local talent in the Worcestershire and south Birmingham and this partnership will provide an elite football development programme, where players can combine high-level coaching with their academic studies, allowing them to fulfill their aspirations in football or further education.”
He added finding the right partner for the club was an extensive task but felt partnering with Colmers would ensure players would receive high quality teaching and excellent pastoral care.
And he said what the school could provide from both a footballing and educational perspective were fantastic with designated sixth form centre classrooms and both grass and 3G pitches available to use.
“VEO (Video Enhanced Observation) analysis will be provided on matchdays and analysed post-match to further develop players performance.
“Students will also be provided with Bromsgrove Sporting tracksuits and a full matchday kit as part of this offer.”
Different routes
Colmers School and Sixth Form will allow the programme’s prospective players to join Bromsgrove Sporting’s Football Development Pathway via three possible academic avenues:
The first is an all BTEC route, including the BTEC Sport Extended Diploma – this is equivalent to three A levels.
The second ‘combined route’ offers a mix of BTEC and A-Level courses with BTEC Sport equivalent to two A levels and another BTEC or A level course.
And the third ‘all A level pathway’ consists of a wide range of subjects such as maths, English, biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, business, arts, computing, health and social care and more.
Mr Queen added: “This is a fantastic new opportunity for any year 11 school leavers and one which the club are excited to get started with in partnership with Colmers School and Sixth Form College.”
Players and parents or carers are urged to email Mr Queen at [email protected] for more information and to express an interest.
