The FC Halifax Town Youth Team Scholarship provides a learning environment that maximises the potential of young footballers on and off the pitch. We aim to develop adaptable players that excel in the technical, tactical, psychological and physiological components of the modern professional game.
Successful players will be given a two-year scholarship with FC Halifax Town and combine studying towards a BTEC Diploma in Sport with full time professional football training. Our programme includes:
Technical/tactical training
4-5 weekly training sessions delivered by a team of 4 coaches all qualified to UEFA A/B. Through our training programme we hope to create a culture where players understand the need for purposeful practice and the role it plays in the quest for excellence. Our coaching team follow the FC Halifax Town coaching syllabus; a training cycle that covers six components of the game to ensure consistent delivery across training sessions.
Strength & conditioning
2-3 weekly training sessions aimed at developing specific aspects of player movement and physical performance.
Competition & Match Analysis
The youth team compete in the U19 National League Youth Alliance and the prestigious FA Youth Cup. To connect with our first team and increase exposure to senior football standout youth team players will be invited to play in a friendly fixture programme alongside first/second year professionals and first team players. All fixtures are recorded and using bespoke software games are analysed and clips sent direct to players’ phones/tablets to support individual/unit/team development.
Facilities
We operate in a professional environment with excellent facilities. Based at Calderdale College we have access to; full size third generation pitch, full size county standard grass pitch, indoor futsal hall, fully equipped performance gymnasium and a classroom equipped with 25 computer stations to support academic progress.
Medical, off-pitch support and staffing
Our programme is delivered by highly qualified staff dedicated to giving scholars every chance to succeed. A physio clinic operates supporting and rehabilitating injured players. All players receive the FC Halifax Town Guidelines to Success pack designed to support and guide our young players on their journey towards our first team.
Education
In partnership with Calderdale College players receive 13 hours weekly of theoretical study following the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (equivalent of 3 A-Levels). This course not only covers the study of sports nutrition, sports performance analysis and anatomy and physiology in sport, it also gives students the opportunity to organise events and gain relevant experience in sports coaching.
Progression
There are many benefits and pathways leading on from success on our programme. Our ultimate ambition is to create a programme that will give young players the best possible chance of progressing towards our first team. In addition the education pathway offers a fully recognised qualification for UCAS applications and gives an insight into the football and sports industry providing the opportunity to enhance skills and career potential.
Success & Luminaries
The success of our programme has been emphasised by 8 youth team graduates receiving first team contracts (over a four-year period); 4 of these players have been selected to match squads. In 2016/17 the team secured the U19 National League Youth Alliance league title and made reached the second round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
As a club we have growing reputation for developing talented players and assisting their progress into the Premiership and Football Leagues’ with players such as Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Lee Gregory (Millwall) and more recently Mark Roberts and Shaun Tuton (Barnsley).
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