Academy and SGS College partnership continues to shine.

The WISE Campus in North Bristol is a hub for sporting excellence with national success at college level, two academies on site as well as the training base for the Bristol City Women First team.

The Robins have a reputation for developing talented youngsters in both the men’s and women’s academy and SGS College plays a large part in that.

Of the 21 girls that make up the Robins’ WSL Academy squad, 20 are studying at the college.

Youth Development Head Coach, Dan Liddiard believes the dual career opportunities available to the players in the academy are in invaluable in preparing the academy youngsters to take the next steps in their lives.

“SGS College are fantastic in supporting the girls’ football aspirations, while also providing the group with their essential educational needs to ensure they are very much dual career focused,” said Liddiard.

“The club places a large importance on dual career and we’re in a fantastic position to provide that being based at SGS College. The main aspiration for the majority of our players is to attain a professional contract, but as we know that doesn’t happen in every case.

“There is a lot more to life than football. The programme is designed in such a way that they leave us prepared for the next step in their career, whether that be in football or not. 

Many of the City Women First Team have graduated from the academy including skipper, Jasmine Matthews, Aimee Palmer, Flo Allen, Georgia Wilson and Maisy Collis.

The programme has also produced international talent in recent years in Lioness and Manchester City star, Lauren Hemp, who was awarded PFA Young Player of the Year in 2018 during her time in the West Country.

“Over the last five years we’ve had seven players progress through the club’s youth programme to become First Team players and compete at Barclays FAWSL level.

“It’s great for the current academy players to see that there are players in the First Team and beyond that have been in their position, and it can be achieved if the work is put in.

“We have also had a number of player’s move onto Championship or National League sides, while studying at University if they have been unable to attain a place in the First Team at Bristol City.”

For young student athletes juggling education and on-field commitments can be tough, but the academy and college programmes work in tandem to provide the necessary support needed for the youngster to fulfil their potential.

“As an academy programme we try to emulate the First Team as much as possible with technical, tactical, analysis and recovery sessions, which is about 10-12 hours per week excluding matchday.

“With the academy competing in the WSL Academy League there is a lot of travelling involved across the country, which combined with training time and then education it can be a lot for the girls.

“Their time management becomes a real skill and the joint programme provides them with the support they need to be able to balance the commitments”

If you’re starting to think about life after GCSEs and want to study alongside a full-time football programme, click here to download our full prospectus and 20/21 application form.

For more information contact Youth Development Head Coach, Daniel Liddiard at daniel.liddiard@sgscol.ac.uk.