Keen would-be football coaches have got the chance to kick off their coaching careers with advanced qualifications with a ground-breaking partnership between Exeter City Football Club, Exeter College and the University of Marjon.

Enthusiastic students from Exeter City Football Club's popular Futsal programme are already signing up for the new Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development, starting this coming September, which will provide a football-focused university level qualification highlighting issues affecting the development of coaching, performance analysis, the essentials of sport science and coaching theory and methods.

“The course looks at academic, personal and professional development,” said Darren Goff course leader “and this exciting two year course is specifically designed to help successful graduates to be employer-ready in what is becoming an increasingly demanding and competitive career in football coaching and development. We're focusing on vocational training, industry links and putting theory into practice”

The partnership with the city's football club means that students will be able to utilise the football club's extensive expertise in football coaching and development gained from the community developments and their centre of excellence programme and will be delivered using the fantastic facilities at St James Park and Exeter College.

“We are very pleased to be able to extend our education provision with this Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development,” said Jamie Vittles, Exeter City FC's Head of Community. “With our first cohort of second year Futsal and Education BTEC students graduating this year, being able to offer this next step in their journey was a natural progression for us and one we were keen to offer.
“We are particularly pleased to be strengthening our ties with Exeter College and the University of Marjon and we believe our students will receive the top-class academic and practical coaching tuition that will give them a head start in a career in football coaching and development.”

“We are delighted that this new Foundation Degree is already proving popular, said Pete Chapman head of the college's sport, leisure and tourism faculty “it's an ideal mix of seminars, practical sessions and essential links with Exeter City Football Club. Students will not only gain the essential coaching qualifications and skills for employment but also experience the new sports facilities at the college with our new gym and sports hub developments.”

To find out more information contact the college's HE Adviser on 01392 400909 or headviser@exe-coll.ac.uk