The Football Performance and Excellence Programme at Bury Town FC is a unique, exciting course designed to fulfil the interests and needs of students looking to work in the Football/Sport industry and for those who seek a high level training and playing programme alongside their studies.

This inspiring course includes a carefully selected and designed programme of study to include football coaching, performance analysis, dealing with football or sport related injuries, organising football/sports-based events, and many more of the vast selection of career areas in the football industry.

Alongside your studies, you will receive elite football coaching throughout the week from our highly qualified team of coaches and ex-professional players as well as a calendar of fixtures. Our playing programme at Bury Town FC is directly linked with our partners West Suffolk College and Culford school, giving student-players the opportunity to progress through the football pyramid.

The course offers excellent work experience opportunities in the world of Football with many of the regions local clubs, as well as opportunities in schools and well established companies such as Premier Sport. In addition to your core qualification and training/match schedule, students will also have the opportunity to gain industry specific qualifications, such as FA coaching awards as well as take part on a Football Tour each year to various European countries (additional costs to be confirmed).

Entry requirements
4 GCSE's, grades 4 and above, to include at least 1 of Maths and English.

Qualifications
This course is a 3x A-level equivalent programme BTEC Sports Coaching and Development 2019, providing you with UCAS points should you wish to pursue University after graduating. In addition to your 'core qualification', you may the opportunity to undertake industry specific qualifications such as FA coaching awards (FA Level 1 and 2 in Football Coaching).

What you'll learn (core modules)
The Learning Programme includes the following units over 2 years: Careers in Sport and Active Leisure Industry, Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Developing Coaching Skills, Research Project in Sport, Sport Development, Self Employment in Sport and Physical Activity, Practical Sports Application, Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport, Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activities, Fitness Training and Fitness Testing.

Benefits, skills and character strengths:

- Resilience

- Ownership

- Respect

- Curiosity

- Ambition

- Self-Control

- Confidence

- Optimism

How will I be assessed?
Students will be assessed through a multitude of different methods to enhance the students experience and to enable them to achieve and to explore further career pathways.

Where is the course delivered? (facilities/classrooms)
The programme will be based at Bury Town FC football ground and Culford school.

Where will the course take me?
Employment progressions into areas such as: Football coaching (grassroots/amateur levels and/or professional teams) Performance analysis - technical and statistical Sports Science Football support e.g. Sports Massage, Sports Injuries and Rehab Coaching with Premier Sport Higher Education e.g. BSc Sport at University Studies. Apprenticeships in the football/sports coaching, fitness and leisure industries.

Will I need any materials or equipment?
Students will require a selection of pens, pencils, and materials to write on for coursework. Students are also encouraged to use their own laptop/IPad for lessons. Students will require suitable football boots and shin-pads for their training and playing programme. There is a course kit requirement which includes the clothing required for both training and playing, as well as for wearing around campus.

I'm interested. What should I do now?
Register your interest in regards to the Bury Town football academy by contacting the following:
Joe Yaxley - joseph.yaxley@wsc.ac.uk

For more information visit the West Suffolk College Sport Website here.

Days & times
New course will start in September 2023