Frome Town are delighted to announced that they have joined the Southern League Football Academy (SLFA) - the brand new education and football academy of the Evo-Stik South.
An Education and Football Academy side for 16-18 year olds will be created at Frome Town and play in the SLFA with opportunities to play in the FA Youth Cup from September 2019.
The SLFA is the sister programme of the impressive NPL Football Academy (NPLFA) for fellow step seven league – The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League – and we are now on the lookout for talented and committed young footballers who are eager to take their first steps to a career in the semi-professional game and more importantly study to earn educational qualifications.
The Frome Town Academy is a full-time course which is an alternative to college where students will study for a BTEC in Sport at Level 2 or Level 3 (Diploma and Extended Diploma available which is the equivalent to two/three A Levels) which will be delivered by a tutor in the mornings before a UEFA qualified football coach will train the students in the afternoons as well as manage the side on Wednesday afternoons against fellow SLFA sides such as AFC Dunstable, Chesham United and Swindon Supermarine. All games will take place at the main grounds of all the Evo-Stik South clubs involved and filmed for analysis with the weekly highlights show that is published every Friday evening.
It's sister programme – the NPLFA - has been a huge success on and off the pitch with over 750 students enrolling over the past four years and many of those progressing onto university, scholarships in the US, the programmes own sports degree course or employment and as of October 2018, fifty students have progressed to their respective first teams with two students progressing to the professional game and that success will now be implemented in the South.
By being a part of Frome Town there are genuine pathways to play for the first team and with the football programme being held between Monday and Friday, students will still be able to play for their local junior sides at the weekend.
Chairman, Jeremy Alderman commented: “We have tried to set up this programme before on a number of occasions with various companies and for clubs at this level it is very difficult with time, staff resources, cost and expertise. I feel confident this time by becoming a founding member of the SLFA and their management structure that at last we will have the support to set up a new programme which we have been wanting for such a long time. The SLFA will grow quickly, one of the attractions is being part of the senior league structure and secure financially, the other is they incur all the costs and have the experience to kick start a programme for us. As the league grows it seems inevitable more opportunities will occur for clubs as part of a wider national programme. We look forward to working with the SLFA to establish an educational programme at Frome, and helping our young players develop both their football and academic opportunities”
First team manager Danny Greaves is delighted with the news: “The main reason we are joining the SLFA is progression. We see the value in having a structured well-run academy system within the club and how it will contribute to player development and be a key factor in the Club's growth. It will create closer links with the community and local schools which is fundamental to the clubs long term aspirations. When we looked at setting this up we considered various options and chose this programme because of the experience of the providers in the Northern League and the quality of resources and support available.
“The obvious benefits to the club include having players train and play full time while also getting an education, stronger links with the local community and schools, ability to develop players internally for the first team whilst instilling our football philosophy throughout the Club, making transition to the first team more achievable and ensuring the young players are comfortable when they get their chance."
There are a maximum of twenty-two places available for the Frome Town Academy with trials to be arranged in October 2018, December 2018, February 2019, April 2019 and May 2019.
The first trial will take place on: WEDNESDAY 31ST OCTOBER, from 10.30AM – 12PM at FROME TOWN FC, BERKELEY ROAD, FROME, BA11 2EH.
Trialists will need to bring full training kit (your own), shin pads, boots suitable for grass surface, trainers for the gym and a drink.
To register your interest in the Academy, please complete the application form at theslfa.co.uk/register
For more information on the SLFA, please visit the following sites:-
www.facebook.com/SLFAcademy/
www.twitter.com/SLFAcademy
www.instagram.com/SLFAcademy
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