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FC Halifax Town
Football Academy
Learn with FC Halifax Town
In partnership FC Halifax Town and Calderdale College operate a youth team and shadow team programme offering a unique training scheme for young talented footballers aged 16-19.
The centre provides the perfect environment for young athletes to develop in their chosen sport whilst studying towards a nationally recognised qualification. Through our partnership with FC Halifax, we offer a progressive pathway where athletes have the opportunity to progress to professional standard.
The Programme
Calderdale College is partnered with FC Halifax Town to operate an officially recognised National League Academy programme offering 16 – 19 year olds an opportunity to pursue a career in football without having to give up their studies.
Students will study towards a BTEC Diploma in Sport alongside receiving full time, professional, football training.
Students enrolled on the programme will benefit from training on site, in state of the art facilities at the Inspire Centre, Calderdale College. These include a grass pitch, 3G pitches and an elite strength and conditioning and fitness suite.
Players will receive ample contact time with UEFA B accredited coaches in a timetable which is structured around their academic learning, ensuring the correct balance of time to complete academic work and training.
Benefits
Benefits include:
- 5 weekly training sessions including team training, technical training and position specific training sessions
- Use of Hudl for video analysis, feedback and improvement
- Participation in the U23 Development League, National League Academy League, National League Alliance and the FA Youth Cup.
- Two weekly gym-based strength and conditioning sessions delivered by qualified coaches
To support player development, all students will complete a range of volunteer coaching opportunities which have the potential to lead to employment either in college or through one of our many key partners in the industry.
The centre provides a fantastic offer to any talented footballer wishing to develop their skills in the game and build towards a career in professional football.
FC Halifax Town has a growing reputation for developing talented players and assisting their progress into the Premier League and Football League with players such as Jamie Vardy (Leicester City, England), Lee Gregory (Millwall) and more recently Mark Roberts and Shaun Tuton (Barnsley) having made such steps in recent years.
Learn a trade as an academy student
We are proud to be able to offer a unique trade pathway for our academy students.
Calderdale College is one of the only college’s in the country to offer students the chance to learn a trade and gain a construction qualification whilst continuing their sporting journey with their academy team.
Our trade qualifications include:
- Brickwork
- Carpentry & Joinery
- Painting & Decorating
- Engineering & Motor Vehicle
- Electrical
- Plumbing
Your timetable is individually managed to ensure you get ample time in the classroom, in the workshop and on the field or court!
Meet the coaches
Steve Nichol – Head of Youth, Junior and Community Football Development
Gavin Atherton – Lead Youth Team Coach.
Tom Conway – Goalkeeper Coach
Adam Simpson & Calum Macleod – Strength & Conditioning
Aaron Scholes – Physio
Danny Williams (pictured) – First Team Player & Shadow Squad Coach
Aaron Beaumont – Shadow Squad Coach
Roll of Honour
Carl Rushworth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Premier League U23, England U18 & U19
Ross Barrows, Kings Lynn, National League North
Jack Atkinson, Alfreton, National League North
Issac Baldwin, Farsley Celtic, National League North
Kyle Trennery, Farsley Celtic, National League North
Ousman Cham, Brighouse Town, Evo-Stik Premier
Shiraz Khan FC Brighouse Town, Evo-Stik Premier
Marko Basic, Ossett United, Evo-Skik 1
Elliot Harrison, Ossett United, Evo-Skik 1, Mossley AFC 2017- Present
Jay Benn, FC Halifax Town 2020-Present
Jack Bradley, FC Halifax Town 2015-2020
Academy Success
National League North Champions
National League Cup Finalists
National League Cup Semi-Finalist x2
National League Academy Cup Semi-Final
Second Round FA Youth Cup
England Youth Internationals
Accredited National League Academy
Apply/Enquire
To apply click here.
Please contact gavinatherton@fchalifaxtown.com if you have any queries about the programme.
To register your interest please complete an expression of interest here.
Rock Climbing Wall
Opening Times
Mon – Fri | 9am – 9pm
Sat – Sun | 9am – 5pm
Football, Rugby and Basketball Academies
Free car parking
Get in Touch
Call us on 01422 399 331 or email inspirecentre@calderdale.ac.uk
Kids Holiday Camps
Facilities
Hannah Cockroft Sports Hall
3G Pitch
Dance Studio
Inspire Centre Gym
Classrooms & Meeting Venue
Grass Pitch