Open Academy Norwich, Wroxham FC and delivery partner Premier Sport are delighted to announce the launch of a brand new partnership which will benefit young footballers across central Norfolk.

Open Academy have launched this new programme which will give young footballers access to some of the best education facilities in the region as they study towards a recognised BTEC Sport Development qualification.

Students who successfully complete the course can choose to progress into University education, into work-based apprenticeships with local sports coaching company Premier Sport or into football-based apprenticeships at Wroxham FC.

From a practical perspective, players will participate in a daily football training programme to hone their skills and will play weekly in the British Colleges Sports League.

Players on the programme will also be eligible to represent Wroxham FC at Ryman or Anglian Combination level.

With matches being held at Wroxham’s Trafford Park stadium, it is hoped that Wroxham FC’s status as a Step 4 club next season will facilitate a move from the British Colleges Sports League into the Football Conference Alliance - where players on the programme will compete against Barnet, Luton Town, Lincoln City and other high professional Football League and Conference teams.

Jon Platten, Principal of the Open Academy, said: “We are very excited about this new course. It offers practical training and has academic substance. Essentially, Premier Sport will be doing what they do best: coaching footballers to a first-class standard. We will be doing what we do best: delivering a first rate BTEC Sports qualification. This combination will provide an exciting and engaging experience for students. We eagerly await the arrival of our first students in September.”

Wroxham FC Football Development Director Steve Eastaugh said: "This programme provides a wonderful opportunity for young players to continue into higher education whilst playing football.

"As a club, this is a huge stride towards us achieving a sustainable player development model and will be pivotal in the recruitment of young footballers. We would like to thank the team at Open Academy for establishing this programme and we look forward to a very successful partnership.”

Students will enjoy the excellent range of facilities at the Open Academy including the use of a dedicated learning area as well as access to the resources at Wroxham FC for experience in physiotherapy, coaching, match analysis and, of course, football.

To apply for a place on the programme players will need to attend a football trial at Wroxham’s Trafford Park on 15th July and be expecting to achieve 5 A*-C GCSE’s this summer.

Application forms are available at www.oasix.org.uk or please ask to speak to Clare Nugent on 01603 481640

The Open Academy can be contacted on 01603 481640.

Steve Eastaugh, Football Development Director, can be contacted on 07876 238591

ABOUT THE OPEN ACADEMY
Students of the Open Academy will receive 7 hours per week of BTEC Sport theory, leading to the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness) (QCF) Qualification. To find out more about the Open Academy Norwich, visit open-academy.org.uk.

ABOUT WROXHAM FC
Wroxham FC is Norfolk’s leading semi-professional football club. Reigning Eastern Counties League Champions 2011/12, the club also progressed to the Wembley Final of the FA Vase in 2009/10.
Wroxham FC has UEFA ‘A’ qualified staff, superb facilities and a wealth of experience in developing young players.

Wroxham Manager David Batch said: “This is the most exciting opportunity for young players in Norfolk for many years. Not only are participants able to continue their education, the uniqueness of this programme is the progression routes into the leading non-league club in the area AND for selected individuals, into apprenticeship opportunities in football or sports coaching jobs and courses in higher education. This programme will develop excellent young players and employment.”

ABOUT PREMIER SPORT
Premier Sport is the UK’s largest coaching company for children and works in more than 2,000 schools nationwide. It is the first organisation of its kind to be awarded the prestigious QISS kitemark for Quality in Study Support and is a founding member of COMPASS, the Community of Providers of Physical Activity and School Sport.
For more information, visit: premiersport.org.