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.

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Booking Form

Please fill in the form linked below if you wish to book our facilities.

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

FC Halifax Town Football Academy