This year saw the move of the college down to the Horsfall Stadium, an FA Youth cup debut and a lot of success both on and off the pitch. We caught up with academy staff and students as they reflected on a busy year and look forward to what 2019 has in store.
“This term has been a very busy one for me. I am new to both SCL and the Horsfall College of Sport and I have had to jump straight in at the deep end. It has been fantastic to get to know all the students. Being able to teach them and have a discussion about the work and football has been great as well as interesting.
We have been learning about how the human body works and why certain aspects are important for athletes. We have also been learning about what skills coaches need to be successful and those skills have been put into practice with the scholars delivering top quality football sessions to each other, with a particular passion for Josh’s shooting practice! It also helps when the scholars can learn off high-quality coaches, Alex Meechan, Mick Wood and Danny East. Learning about the technical and tactical aspects of football has also been on the terms agenda, with the scholars lucky enough to have an assignment related to watching a football match!
Maths and English lessons have also been very successful, with the boys contributing to all aspects of the course. There have been some fantastic pieces of descriptive work written in English, with Felan talking about James Hanson’s rise to Bradford City glory and Harry selling the replica stadium like he was a professional advertiser. In Maths, we have been learning about fractions, percentages and area. All the hard work throughout these lessons have been clear to see in the grades the students have gained in their mock exams all being over the required 4.
2019 is looking to be an exciting year. The students will be undertaking a lot more work experience, with interests such as physiotherapy, teaching and media being undertaken. Being fully settled in the brand new classroom should also help the scholars carry on succeeding in their studies. The BTEC course will be geared towards the Fitness side of the sport, with Physiology of Fitness and Fitness Training & Programming being delivered in the lessons. I have high hopes for the students as they have already shown they know a lot about training and programme creation throughout their studies. In Maths, we are looking forward to having a specialist from SCL work alongside me to ensure the students can carry on the high trajectory path they are currently working at. In English, the students will be focusing on non-fiction work and will hopefully be as successful as they have with their creative writing.”
“Elliot Mather”
“This Year the club took a huge step in running the academy at the home of Bradford Park Avenue, Horsfall Stadium. Stepping away from its education partnership with Grange Technology College. This also saw a new partnership with SCL who specialise in providing education to the football programmes.
This will enable the club to show the next generations of young sports enthusiasts in the community, the opportunities that the club can provide them in their development into young adulthood.
The ambition to become a first-team player in the future is a step that can or could be made with the correct components and skills and attitude a reality.
We have on the pitch become a competitive match for opponents and the scholars now see the commitment on and off the pitch to succeed in whatever they want to with a positive hard working work ethic.
We have finished the current year unbeaten and are at present challenging to win our College League in 2019.
The under 19 league gives an indication of the physical aspects players need to strive for. It has been fantastic that this year some of our lads have been involved in First Team Preseason games and training with Mark Bower and his squad. Mark has also used a number of scholars in the county cup games which is highlights the importance of the academy for the whole club. It also demonstrates that the scholarship programme is a successful model for future young aspiring footballers.
The challenge is still to build and become better and make positive steps again in 2019.”
“Alex Meechan”
“I looked forward to moving to the college at the start of the year because it sounded like a good place to continue my education in sport and to improve my progress in football, it is a good place to have fun with teammates but also do get work done and to learn new things and the staff are very helpful and motivate us to do the best we can. This year I strived to do the best I could in my education and in playing football and 2019 will be no different.”
“Sean Greenwood (2nd year /1st year at HCoS)”