Study With Us

1 year

The Football Development Programme is an elite Football Academy for aspiring footballers (male and female) that runs alongside your education. Our unique approach to it alongside a top team of staff gives you the opportunity to develop as a player while studying on a course at Wakefield College. The programme consists of a professionally designed bespoke football training programme  including Strength & Conditioning sessions, recovery and performance analysis sessions, revolving around weekly fixtures in the ECFA National League, Schools FA Cup and showcase games against professional academies.

Your week will be balanced between your coursework, classes and FDP coaching sessions. Fixtures in the ECFA national leagues and cups are on Wednesdays and you will have the chance to play showcase games against pro clubs and international teams. As a player in the FDP you must be studying on a full-time course at Wakefield College.

We pride ourselves on having the best staff around. Head Football Coach Ben Severn is a coach at Doncaster Rovers FC as well as the England Colleges National team. Tutors are industry experts that pass on their knowledge and experience. We have a former body building World Champion (UIBBN & INBF), former athletes and tutors with international coaching experience.

We also embark on an annual sports tour to Europe for a mixture of training, competitions and personal development during the year.

The courses available alongside the Football Development Programme are all Sport courses – However some courses may have slightly limited access to training. You will study modules such as Coaching & Leadership, Anatomy, Biomechanics, Nutrition, Psychology, Massage, Performance Analysis plus much more. You will also receive a football education designed by our UEFA and pro club coaches on developing skills, squad practices, different formations, how to break teams down and how to win.

The Football Development Programme is open to students aged 16-19 (male and female). Selection is through football trials during the spring and summer period. FDP players should be currently playing to a high standard relative to their age (former academy/top grassroots). You must of course meet the entry criteria for your full-time course as well.

Students can progress into university at Wakefield College University Centre (and carry on their Football Development) or other UK universities. They also have the opportunity to be selected for a soccer scholarship at a university in the USA. We work close with professional and recommended companies to ensure peace of mind and a quality of service when progressing.