Sunderland FOL Scholarship Programme Apply using the form below
NFYL LADIES CUP WINNERS 2017/18
NFYL TROPHY WINNERS
2016/17
Foundation of Light’s Football Scholars continue to make their mark on the international stage after forward Cieran Jackson was selected for England Under 18 Schoolboys for the upcoming Centenary Shield.
The Shildon Scholars youngster, 17, who has also made three appearances for Shildon AFC this season, travelled to Lilleshall National Sports Centre last week for the final round of trials alongside 31 hopefuls from across the country.
Cieran’s performances against teams from the RAF and Royal Navy as well as his eagerness to learn and develop in the post-match reviews and training sessions earned him a place in the Three Lions’ squad for the remainder of the season.
"I was so happy when I found out I’d been selected as my hard work had paid off" Cieran said. "The standard at the trials was really high as they included the best players still in education and had been cut down from previous rounds, so it was really competitive.
"I am looking forward to the games to test myself against the best players and hopefully win the Centenary Shield."
Cieran will join up with his teammates for a training camp next month before reigning champions England take on Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the annual tournament which kicks off in March.
Shildon Scholars coach, Alan Young, added. “For Cieran to be given this opportunity is a proud moment for myself and the Scholarship programme.
“He came to us a good footballer but had never really been given an opportunity to thrive. When we first met him, he spoke about his desire to make a career out of football and to become the best he could be at the sport he loved.
Cieran has worked tirelessly throughout the past 18 months to become the player he is today. He has a wonderful ability to beat a player in a 1v1 situation, is comfortable on the ball and has played a key role in the team’s success.”
An integral part of the Shildon Scholars side, Cieran has also appeared for Shildon AFC this season and praised the Football Scholarship and Foundation staff for helping him progress as a player since joining the programme.
“The Scholarship has helped me a lot as they have allowed me to develop the way I play over the last year and a half and I might not have got this opportunity without them.
My coach Alan has really helped me by allowing me to play to my strengths, improve my weaknesses to help myself and the team.”
The Foundation of Light’s two-year Football Scholarship gives players the chance to represent Sunderland AFC in a national league whilst working towards nationally recognised qualifications that can see players progress into higher education.
The programme is run in partnership with South Tyneside College, Monkwearmouth Academy and Hermitage Academy, and sponsored by ABCO ltd.
The Football Scholarship is now recruiting for the 2018-19 season. To find our more, complete the form below......
Foundation of Light’s Football Scholarship programme is celebrating further success after second years Craig Ellison and Lewis King signed professional contracts at Premier League side Burnley Football Club.
Forward Craig (Monkwearmouth) and defender Lewis (Shildon) have impressed whilst on trial at the Clarets’ Academy over the past few weeks.
Craig, who scored 21 goals in 28 games as Monkwearmouth Scholars won the NFYL U19 League and Trophy double last season, told SportsByte: “I’m absolutely over the moon, I’ve put a lot of work in for this and obviously have to keep it up while I’m there.
“It will be a harder challenge as it’s a higher standard of football to what I’ve been playing but I’ve just got to try my best and keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Shildon Scholars’ captain Lewis added: “I’m very pleased, it’s a big step for my football career and I can’t wait to get started and push on.
“It’s a higher level and it’s going to challenge me to do well.”
Both Craig and Lewis, who started for Burnley’s Under 18s against Nottingham Forest in the U18 Professional Development League at the weekend, praised the Football Scholarship programme and Foundation staff for helping them take the first steps towards their dream of becoming professional footballers.
“The Scholarship has done a lot for me,” said Lewis. “It’s improved me as a player both technically and physically.
“Alan [Young, Shildon Scholars coach] has done a lot for me, made sure I played well, named me captain of the team and ensured I progressed.
“Going on away trips to Tottenham and watching England play Spain are definite highlights.”
Craig added: “The Scholarship has helped me massively. From a year and a half ago I’m wasn’t the player I am now. The coaches do anything for you to make you a better footballer and constantly give you opportunities to get into clubs and achieve your dream.
“Winning the league and the Trophy Final here at the Stadium of Light was one of the best days on the Scholarship programme by far.”
Coaches Alan Young and Jamie Chandler, who have been a major part of both players’ development since joining the Scholarship programme last season, say both players deserve their move.
“We’re very proud of them,” said Jamie. “They’ve both been model learners both in the classroom and on the pitch. It’s shown through from the first moment they joined.
“In his first interview Craig said he wanted to be a professional footballer and he’s had that in his mind from the start and all his hard work has paid off.”
Players have the opportunity to be recruited by professional and semi-professional football clubs; go on to higher education at home or abroad as well as pursuing careers in coaching, sports science, sports journalism or physiotherapy.
For more information about the Football Scholarship programme, complete the form below.......
SUNDERLAND AFC FOUNDATION OF LIGHT FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP.
Foundation of Light's Football Scholarship give YOU the opportunity to represent Sunderland AFC and gain nationally recognised qualifications through an intensive football and education programme.
Open to males and females from 16-18, students will train, play and learn in the official Sunderland AFC Adidas training and match kits under the guidance of the Foundation's full-time UEFA A and B qualified coaches and expert Education Officers.
The Football Scholarship is delivered in partnership with Monkwearmouth Sixth Form Academy, South Tyneside College, Shildon AFC, Boldon School, The Hermitage Academy and is sponsored by leading dispensed soft drink suppliers ABCO-Anderson Beverage Company Limited.
You can keep up to date with the Foundation of Light Scholars on Twitter at @FoLScholars.
HONOURS
NFYL Midlands/North Champions 2016-17
NFYL Trophy winners 2016-17 (watch the build and highlights of the final on the video above).
NFYL Ladies Cup winners 2017/18.
FOOTBALL OVERVIEW
Students will represent the Black Cats in the FA National U19 Youth Development League or the Regional College League against sides such as Chelsea, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
The competition is exclusively for development teams from Premier League and Football League clubs, meaning the football experience is as close to Academy football as possible.
Home games are currently played at Sunderland AFC’s Academy of Light, Monkwearmouth Academy and Shildon AFC’s Dean Street ensuring scholars develop their football skills in first-class environments.
TRAINING
Students will train up to five days per week focusing their technical, tactical and analytical skills and fitness with full-time UEFA A and UEFA B qualified coaches, mirroring the training schedule of players at professional Academies.
PERFORMANCE & MATCH ANALYSIS
Using footage recorded by SportsByte at the University of Sunderland, students will have the opportunity to watch back each fixture for detailed analysis with the coaching team.
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
With the physical demands placed on players in football and training games, elements of training place emphasis on physical development, transferring improvements from gym to pitch.
NUTRITION
Players will receive advice on nutritional regimes that will allow for optimal performance to assist preparation and recovery from training and games, including guest masterclasses.
EDUCATION OVERVIEW
The Academic programme allows students to develop the essential skills, knowledge and qualifications required to progress into a career in sport and leisure, either directly, or through higher education.
Students will study a Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity Development (equivalent to three 'A' Levels), and FA Level 1 in Football Coaching with FA Level 2 available as an addition option.
Classes are delivered over a period of two-years and a mixture of theory and practical sessions and assessed through external exams, observed practical assessments, written reports, presentations, discussions, case studies and workbooks.
PROGRESSION
Potential career pathways include, but are not limited to:
Professional/Semi-Professional Football
Sports coaching
Sports science
Physiotherapy
Sports medicine
Personal training
Sports journalism
We will give you advice, support and guidance to help you make that next step, exploring university, employment and further training options.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
At least five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English (Grade 4).
Jade Royal
Foundation of Light
Sunderland AFC
Stadium of Light
Sunderland
SR5 1SU
jade.royal@foundationoflight.co.uk
0191 5515077.
For more information and details of upcoming trials please complete the form below