University of Sunderland launches professional football academy with South Shields FC

Aspiring footballers from around the world will now have the chance to find success both on and off the field, thanks to a new professional football club international academy programme launching at the University of Sunderland in partnership with South Shields FC.

The South Shields FC International Academy programme, which starts this September, will allow players from any gender to combine a UK degree with professional soccer development.

Through this bespoke development programme, students will be given the opportunity to receive a professional “elite” academy coaching programme with South Shields FC while studying a three-year degree or post-graduate programme at the University. These degrees are recognised internationally, and students can choose from the following:

• Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
• Business Management BA Hons
• Sports and Exercise Science MSc
• Sports Journalism MA
• MBA (Sports Management)

The academic programme will allow students to live the opportunity of a full-time football player and receive the football club’s pro-development coaching timetable largely consisting of on-pitch sessions with a focus on decision-making skills and tactical understanding alongside individual, position-specific skills, performance analysis team and more.

In addition, there will be a highly structured games programme allowing the professional development students to play for the University at regional and national level competitions, but also in a bespoke programme of games playing against professional academy teams from around the UK.

When training with South Shields FC, students will be instructed by a team of staff who have played for and coached at a variety of English Premier League clubs. The coaching team will work with players on an individual basis. Players will meet with coaches to discuss and develop individual plans with a series of targets and goals.

Lee Picton, sporting director at South Shields FC, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to launch the new South Shields FC International Academy programme in partnership with the University of Sunderland.

“We are fully prepared and committed to deliver a professional footballing experience of the highest possible standard to all the young, aspiring players from around the world who access this programme.

Ian Moody, deputy director of international at the University of Sunderland, added: “The South Shields FC International Academy programme will provide international students with the opportunity to earn an internationally recognised UK qualification while also playing and training in an incredible footballing environment.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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