Dartford Football Club is joining with neighbouring school, The Leigh Academy, to give students the opportunity to continue working towards their A-Levels whilst pursuing their passion in Football.
Phil Murray (Head of DFC Youth Development) and Sean Scolding (DFC Community Lead) have been working alongside Simon Beamish (Leigh Academies Trust CEO), Sue Crocker (Leigh Academies Trust Business Director) and Sharon Waterman (Leigh Academy Principal) in order for the scheme to come together. With The Leigh Academy and Dartford FC being located next door to each other it was an opportunity that no one involved could miss out on and a chance to create an ongoing partnership.
Dartford FC already has an Academy in place which runs in partnership with SCL and offers students the chance to gain BTECs along with qualifications and experience in football. Due to many young adults aspiring to go to university after their school education is over, the necessity of A Levels is something that students would currently miss out on at Dartford. The new partnership with The Leigh Academy now enables those who have a passion for football to continue their studies towards the qualifications they need whilst receiving regular training and coaching from highly qualified FA coaches affiliated to the football club, plus the opportunity to represent the club at levels between Youth Conference Alliance and College Football Teams with the possibility of progressing into the First Team or higher.
With A Levels such as Biology, Media Studies and P.E. to choose from there is a suitable variety of options available for any candidate who is interested in the scheme. In order for students to gain their place on the course they must obtain 5 GCSEs grade A-C including Maths and English. Once their academic application is successful they will be offered a trial at Dartford Football Club.
At the official press launch for the event on Wednesday 4th March it was a chance for everyone involved to come together and celebrate the partnership created. Dartford FC Co-Chairman Steve Irving and Cllr Jeremy Kite, who is a Director of both Dartford FC and the Leigh Academy Trust, was in attendance to support the scheme along with DFC First Team Manager Tony Burman who will be working closely with the Academy Team that is formed of the successful candidates in September.
An Information Evening is to be held at The Leigh Academy on Wednesday 18th March at 6:30pm for students and their parents or guardians who are interested in the scheme to be able to gain more information, meet everyone involved from both The Leigh Academy and Dartford FC and to have any questions answered.