College course starts for student football lovers

The course will appeal to football lovers aged 16 to 19

Teenage footballers can now enrol on a relaunched college course in Shropshire to obtain a qualification that could lead to a career in the sport.

Telford College's Football & Education programme, taught at the Wellington campus, blends study with football training and provides students aged 16-19 with opportunities at premiership club Wolves.

The BTEC level three extended diploma in sport covers areas such as anatomy and physiology, sports coaching, sports science and performance analysis.

Students will also get the chance to represent Wolves Foundation, the club's charity, in fixtures and visit the Molineux stadium and Compton Park training ground.

Brad Moore, post-16 education and skills manager at Wolves Foundation, said students may play against other club community organisations (CCOs) from the EFL and Premier League.

"Opponents include the likes of CCOs from Liverpool, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, and the programme offers a really positive experience of competitive football," he added.

"As a whole, the qualification and associated benefits provide students a well-rounded and fulfilling experience."

The programme previously ran in the years leading up to the Covid pandemic and saw students go on to sports degrees and careers in teaching, coaching and at Wolves Foundation.

The relaunched full-time course begins on Monday.