Posted on 20th May
West Nottinghamshire College and Mansfield Town FC have announced a pioneering new programme for talented young female footballers.
The college and promotion-winning Stags have teamed-up again to give school leavers the opportunity to continue their football development while gaining a nationally-recognised qualification that could open doors to careers in sport, coaching, or fitness.
Starting in September, the MTFC Women’s Football Programme (Advanced) is a tailored pathway for 16 to 18-year-olds to harness both their playing and vocational skills.
Students on the two-year college course will benefit from twice-weekly training sessions split between the RH Academy – Stags’ state-of-the-art facility in Pleasley, where the first team trains – and the college’s 4G pitch at its Derby Road campus, Mansfield.
All this builds up to match day, when they will experience weekly competitive fixtures in the Association of Colleges girls’ football league, under the guidance of seasoned UEFA-qualified coaches. As an added incentive, the players will wear Mansfield Town FC’s home kit.
Alongside training and playing, players will study the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport at the college, learning a range of disciplines during the first year, including anatomy and physiology, fitness training and programming, professional development in the sports industry, sports leadership, and coaching for performance.
Students will further their knowledge in the second year, studying advanced topics such as investigating business in sport and the active leisure industry, research methods in sport, development and provision of sport and physical activity, and sports injury management.
Learning both inside and outside the classroom, they will hone their skills through hands-on projects integrated with sports theory – including planning and leading women’s football coaching sessions, which will make an impact across the college and the local community.
The women’s football development programme represents an extension of the already-successful partnership between the college and Stags. It follows the launch of the MTFC Performance Programme in 2020, which enables male students to pursue their passion for football with high-quality sports study.
Wayne Loseby, head of sport and public services at the college, said: “This collaboration epitomises our dedication to providing diverse and innovative learning opportunities that resonate with our students’ passions.
“By combining the expertise of the college with the rich footballing heritage of the Stags, we will provide a dynamic learning environment where young women can develop both their athletic prowess and academic excellence.”
Andrew Cropley, principal and chief executive of the college, added: “Ever since we launched the men’s football academy, I’ve been determined to follow it as quickly as possible with a similar opportunity for women. Given the success of this partnership, and the rapid growth of women’s football, I’m excited that we are now able to make this offer.”
Mansfield Town FC academy director Steve Hymas said: “This is an outstanding opportunity for talented female footballers between the ages of 16-18 to continue their academic, footballing and career development.
“The programme will provide the best education, training, football networks, and sporting facilities in the region to help young female footballers maximise their full potential.
“This initiative will complement our already-vibrant ladies’ section at Mansfield Town and is another step in the right direction for our ever-progressing club.”
For further information about the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport – MTFC Women’s Football Programme (Advanced) course, or to apply, visit www.wnc.ac.uk/Courses/Extended
