Ealing Hammersmith & West London College Football Academy.

QPR in the Community have partnered with Ealing Hammersmith & West London College (EHWLC) to start a new Football Academy Programme.

This is the first time both the Trust and the college have started a football programme and for the students aged between 16-18 years old they get to live the life similar to the QPR scholars.

In addition to studying at the same time as training and competing, the students have many additional benefits from being an academy player to develop their playing ability, fitness levels and career prospects.

The players train with QPR coaches as a professional would, using excellent training facilities both on and off the college campus site. They play in the British Colleges Sport Elite League once a week and train 3 times a week.

Academy Football Director Danny Edwards said "it’s a great opportunity for the players to experience what its like to train and study like actual youth team players at every professional club.

If we find a player with exceptional talent then we have the possibility to invite them for a trial with the youth team however our main aims are to develop the boys as players and to show them what other opportunities there are in football apart from 11 players they see on the pitch.

We want the players to feel apart of the club, they get to come to first team games, train and play in QPR kit as well as seeing how the club is run behind the scene".

The students study a range BTEC, NVQ and VRQ qualifications in football and sport (development, coaching and fitness). They gain FA coaching qualifications, First Aid and Sports Leaders qualifications as well as gaining work experience and paid employment within the football industry.

Mark Sullivan, who is the Sports Programme Manager at the college added "It’s a fantastic opportunity for the students and also for the college to be linked with a Premier League club. This year we have 32 players who make up the 2 teams however from next year we will have 4 teams which will also include a girl’s team.

Although this is a football academy their academic studies come first. If they fall behind with their work then they don't get selected for the matches."

The trials for the 2012-13 academy teams will be starting this month and continuing until July.

If you'd like to become part of the Football Academy contact or would like information on trial dates contact either
Danny Edwards(QPR)daniele@qpr.co.uk
Mark Sullivan (EHWLC) mark.sullivan@wlc.ac.uk
or visit the college website: http://www.wlc.ac.uk/sportsacademy/football_academy.asp