Practical Vs Theory
Course overview
Develop your football skills and ability through practical learning and regular participation in competitive league matches with teams at your level. You will study at our Borderville Sports Complex, home to Stamford AFC’s Zeeco Stadium, where you will not only have the opportunity to gain a qualification whilst training for a career as a semi-professional footballer, but also recieve your coaching from football industry experts and former professional football players. You will participate in six hours training a week.
Entry Requirements
4 GCSEs at grades 3/D or above including English and maths, or a relevant Level 1 qualification.
Need to re-sit? No problem. If you don’t achieve a Grade 4/C in GCSE maths or English, you’ll resit your exams with us and we’ll help you prepare.
Regrettably we currently do not have the numbers to run a female football team, and as FA rules state mixed football is not allowed over the age of 16 we cannot accept applications from female candidates.
However, if you are female and interested in a career in football, our Sports courses are the next best alternative and will still allow you to play football and other sports.
Worried about your grades?
Whatever your results, we want to assure you that extenuating circumstances will be considered should you not have the grades indicated above.
We will review each application on a case-by-case basis to ensure you get a place on the course most suitable for you.
One of the ways we do this is through a very effective ‘6 weeks to success programme’ that operates from the first day you start your course. This includes support such as (but not limited to):
- Allowing you to change courses if you change your mind in the first 6 weeks
- Moving you between course levels if you are finding your current level too easy /too hard
- Incorporating English and maths GCSE resits in to your timetable if you don’t meet the grades you need
- One-to-one reviews with your academic tutor to ensure you are progressing and achieving well
Our course enquiries and admissions team are available remotely throughout this unprecedented period. They can be contacted at enquiries@stamford.ac.uk should you have any further questions.
Additional Information
You will need to provide £150 for uniform and £100 for trips across the year.
Potential Future Career
Progress to either:
- Stamford Football Academy Diploma Level 3
- Sport and Exercise Science (Extended) Diploma Level 3
- Sports Coaching and Development Diploma Level 3
- Community Sport & Health Officer Apprenticeship Standard Level 3
- or enter employment
Course Content
You will study the following units:
Mandatory:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Practical Sport
Optional:
- Planning and Leading
- Athletes Lifestyle
- Nutrition
- Effects of Exercise
- Technical and Tactical Awareness for Sport
- Fitness Testing
- Development of Personal Fitness
- Sports Psychology
- Injury in Sport




This course has allowed me to gain knowledge in football coaching. I now have a Sports Leader Award whilst studying here and have the opportunity to progress to Uni!