In partnership with Buxton Football Club, Buxton & Leek College offers two Sport programmes as part of the Buxton Football Club Academy. Current students Coby Jones and Connor Brady told us about their experience of studying with BFC and the College.
What do you enjoy most about studying at Buxton Football Club and BLC?
“It’s a good experience because you can make friends, and everyone is so welcoming. I was quite nervous when I first came here as I didn’t know anyone and it was a totally different environment, but staff are really welcoming.”
Did you always want to do this sort of course when you left school?
“Yes, definitely. I couldn’t get access to any football courses in my local area, but my grandad found this programme for me, and I enjoyed it so much when I came to look around that now I travel 1.5 hours to study here.
“The facilities here are probably the closest you can get to a professional environment in terms of the pitch, changing rooms and the level of coaching. I was drawn to this programme because there’s a balance between the academic side and the practical side. Here I get to play football for 10 hours a week and that wasn’t possible on other programmes.”
So, football is the main goal, but have you got plan Bs?
“I’m thinking about sport psychology. This is touched on within the course along with loads of other elements like sports coaching, anatomy and physio. We even get to do coaching badges and referee courses, the number of different pathways available really attracted me. Before coming here I’d never thought about other routes, but sport psychology really stood out to me as a topic and potential career path.”
The College has partnerships with Buxton Football Club, Leek Town Football Club, and Derby County Community Trust, so they’re able to offer programmes across the local area. To find out more about the Football Academies available at Buxton & Leek College click here.