Gap Coleg Cambria Football Scholarship Scheme

Scholarship - Aim To use football as the motivator for academic excellence. To give year olds the opportunity to train and play professionally as well as attaining an education to access university or take first steps into full time employment.

Selection 20 Players will be selected and will be the first ever Gap Coleg Cambria scholarship players. Players will be selected both on playing standard and minimum grades attained at GCSE level. (Grades dependent on which course player chooses to take.) If successful on application player guaranteed 2 years on programme (football only).

Key Dates Friday 14 th March – e mail must be received to myself on by no later than 16:00 on Friday. The e mail must confirm official interest in being considered for one of the scholarship positions as well as 200 word minimum essay which must include the following: Reasons why you wish to be a scholar What player wishes to gain out of the programme both academically and in football Where wish to be after two years following college programme – university, employment etc What is long term aim in the working world in the next five to ten years

Key dates Trial games. If successful on e mail application players will be invited to two trial dates on Tuesday 25 th March and Thursday 27 th March both 16:00-18:00 on the Deeside Stadium.

Confirmed Places Players will receive a letter by no later than Friday 4 th April which will confirm whether player has been accepted onto the programme. All offers will be conditional offers and will depend on GCSE grades for the specific course each players has applied for.

Academic Options Unlike other scholarship football schemes where all players have to do level 2/3 sport course all players have the opportunity to select their specific education route. These include: Any level 2/3 diploma available at the Coleg Cambria Deeside. Any AS/A Level courses players wish to take which Coleg Cambria Deeside offer.

Typical scholarship week Monday 8:00-8:45 – Strength and Conditioning session at Lifestyle Fitness 9:00-16:00 – Full college day 16:15-17:30 – Footballing session at Connah’s Quay High School.

Typical scholarship week Tuesday 9:00-16:00 – Full college day 16:15-17:30 – Footballing session at Deeside Stadium – Tactical and set pieces in preparation for game day on Wednesday.

Typical scholarship week Wednesday 9:00-12:00 – Normal college morning Afternoon – no classes all players will then represent the college in the North West Elite College League Tier 1. The highest tier available. The side will also be entered into the British Colleges cup and the Welsh Schools cup competitions.

Typical scholarship week Thursday 8:00-8:45 – Football specific strength and conditioning session. 12:00-12:30 – Game Review – All games will be recorded and analyzed. 9:00-16:00 – Normal College day 16:15-17:00 – Pool recovery session at Connah’s Quay Swimming Baths

Typical scholarship week Friday 9:00-16:00 – Normal College Day 12:00-12:30 – Weekly meeting as a group with myself and head tutor for side with regards to any issues or problems.

North West Elite College League Highest tier available for college side to enter. Includes colleges from Manchester, Liverpool, Blackburn and Preston. All home games will be played on the Deeside Stadium. Team is also entered into the league cup, British Colleges Cup and Welsh Schools Cup.

Further footballing opportunities During two years players also have opportunity of being selected for following: NEWFA U18s Wales Schools U18s Wales Semi Pro U18s

Weekend If selected for first team players will potentially play for them in Welsh Premier action on the Saturday or for the clubs reserve side. Sunday players also available for gap Connah’s Quay Nomads under 19s in the Welsh Premier Development League.

Weekly Attire Monday to Friday players will only be permitted to wear Gap tracksuits and polo tops through out the college. This allows players to be easily identified by all staff at the college and give players a sense of pride as to them being chosen to represent the college and the football club.

Discipline and attendance We will be receiving weekly reports from all teachers and lecturers with regards to players academic progress. Players will only be allowed to train or play based on the two following main targets are met: Minimum of 95% attendance in all classes, minimum target grades set be teachers are being met. If either are not being met the player will be unable to train or play for the side until these are back up to standard.

What is included Yearly gym passes for all scholarship players at Lifestyle Fitness -£360 for usual customers. Weekly academic progress reports. 2 strength and conditioning sessions a week 2 Tactical and technical football training sessions a week 2/3 games a week 1 pool recovery session a week Discounted breakfast and lunch every day provided by the college. (Nutritionally based) Transport to all games and sessions via club mini bus.

Staff Head of Scholarship Programme – Jay Catton Coach – Mark McGregor Goalkeeper Coach – Neil Ebbrell Physio – Gemma Bamford Head of Strength and Conditioning – Ed Harper

Jay Catton UEFA A License holder, UEFA B License (coaching goalkeepers). 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Sports Coaching and Exercise Science. Level 3 Personal Trainer. Played for club from under 8 at all age groups through to first team in Welsh Premier as well as Preston 1 st university side. Coaching experience at Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers and LA Galaxy. Currently academy director/first team assistant manager, head of Gap Futsal and Manchester United Soccer School/ academy coach.

Mark McGregor UEFA A License holder Gap CQ Nomads First Team Manager for last 4 years 498 Football league appearences Represented Burnley and Blackpool in the Championship as well as Wrexham and Port Vale in League One.

Edward Harper First Class masters degree in Sports Science – Strength and Conditioning Worked with football clubs inlcuding Wrexham and Sheffield United first teams as well as Wigan Warriors Rugby League.

Gemma Bamford Gap C1 Nomads First and Academy Head of Sports Therapy. 2:1 BSc Degree in Sports Therapy Worked for Wales under 16s and Wales Netball.

Kits New Scholarship bundle identical to academy bundle including – Home and Away kit, full tracksuit, polo top, training socks, training shorts, Winter training shorts, training t shirt, training jumper, training rain jacket. Total cost of bundle to scholars £150. Players may need to buy further items of kit as bundle will only have one item of each.

Gap Coleg Cambria Football Scholarship Programme gives players every opportunity and support possible to achieve both academically and in football. Together we will strive for academic and sporting excellence allowing players/students the best opportunity possible to achieve their long term life aims.