Aimed for 16-18-year-olds, academy will bring together education and football

Wisbech Town Football Club and One Touch Football have teamed together to create the Wisbech Town Academy.

Wisbech Town will be holding an open evening on Thursday, May 16 at Wisbech Town FC from 6.30pm to 8pm for any young boy that would be interested in joining the academy.

If you’re aged between 16-18 (WTFC can go up to 20 years old) and have an interest in football or sport then this is the place for you.

The academy will bring together education and football. You will study for a BTEC level 1 or 2 in sport which is either a one-year course or two-year course depending on which path you take. As well as studying at the club, learners will also receive a minimum of 15 hours a week football coaching from a UEFA qualified coach, with every Wednesday being game day where learners will represent Wisbech Town Football Club in a regional College League and then get every Friday off.

There is also the option to play in other leagues as well so this really is a chance to play as much football as you like while getting an education. As part of the course, learners will also become FA qualified coaches which they will put into practise on work experience placements.

There are also trips to professional clubs such as Manchester City and Brighton with the opportunity to play their academy teams.

The academy was set up after a meeting between club chairman Paul Brenchley, community manager Jonny Pearce and One Touch football director Glen Vaughan.

Speaking of the Academy, Pearce said: “Moving forward as a club this seemed a sensible move. The first team secured us playing a high level of football this season and we need solid foundations to ensure we remain at this level in the future.

"I have always been an advocate of youth football at any club and have been involved with our youth teams in the past so I am hoping this will attract youngsters from the local area who can become future first team stars and also be the platform to launch our own youth setup with younger age groups with the overall aim of getting into the academy when old enough.

“This opens up a lot of opportunities for both the local youngsters and the club. If everything goes to plan this will be a big step forward for the club and we can look at running holiday camps next year and get out and about in the local schools to attract a good talent pool.”

If anyone is interested in attending the open evening please go to the website https://onetouchfootball.co.uk/open-daystrials/

And register your interest by completing the enrolment form (this does not commit you to the course, this is done in person after the open evening).