Crusaders have confirmed that applications for its full-time football academy which commences in September will open this month with an information evening also planned for January 19.
The venture, which is based at the Irish League club’s Seaview Stadium in North Belfast, is run in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College.
It is open to male and female students and provides an opportunity to gain a Level 3 qualification and offer educational pathways with Belfast Metropolitan and Ulster University.
Course options include sport, business, event management and media, while students will train as full-time footballers and receive 13 hours coaching per week including strength and conditioning.
Participants will be given employment opportunities with Crusaders and their partners which provides students with vital work experience to prepare them for the world of work.
Crusaders chairman Ronnie Millar says the new academy provides a “pathway” for young male and female footballers to pursue their football dreams and future careers.
He said: “We are delighted to be working with Belfast Metropolitan College and we look forward to developing our relationship with the college.
“The Crusaders Football Academy will create a pathway for elite footballers, male and female, with access to quality teaching and learning in subject areas of choice.”
Sharon Rivers, Head of Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion at Belfast Met, described the new Crusaders Academy as a “ground breaking” venture.
She said: “The academy will afford young aspiring footballers a truly unique opportunity to choose to study from a range of full time level 3 qualifications, including sport.
“We are delighted to be the education partner of choice for Crusaders in this new venture.”
Fiona Dempsey, Head of Belfast Business School at Belfast Met, added: “Here at the Business School, we are very excited to welcome Crusaders Football Academy students with the opportunity to gain a Level 3 qualification in Event Management or Business.
“The students will have endless opportunities to put these newly acquired skills to use during their time at Crusaders and into a lifelong career.”
Ian McCormick, Head of Creative and Digital Industries at Belfast Met, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this innovative academy programme with opportunities for participants to obtain a Level 3 qualification in Creative Media Production.
“This will allow academy students to develop skills in content production for both social media and broadcast platforms and gain wider digital skills to support their career choices.”
Applications for the Crusaders Football Academy and other courses with Belfast Metropolitan College will open on January 25, 2022.
A virtual information night has also been arranged for Wednesday January 19 at 7pm with tickets available via Eventbrite. For further details...
