Elite Football Development Programme
The Henley College Elite Football Programme, in partnership with Wycombe Wanderers FC, offers talented footballers aged 16-19 the opportunity to study and play top level football, alongside a high calibre, full time academic programme of either A levels or BTEC/Vocational subjects. We also participate in the highest level outside academy football in the National Football Youth League (NFYL), CEFA League and Tactic League as well as participating in national college competitions.
This is an excellent opportunity for young footballers to progress up the football pyramid, earn USA Soccer Scholarships or progress into professional football in the UK.
Students follow a full time football programme alongside studying A levels or a wide range of vocational qualifications. It is an intensive programme with training throughout the week with fixtures on a Wednesday afternoon.
As well as having the opportunity to learn, develop and improve on the pitch, players have access to Analysis of Performance, Sports Psychologists, as well as nutrition and lifestyle advice and expertise.
Elite Girls' Football
In September 2023 we launched an elite girls' programme in partnership with Wycombe Wanderers FC. This programme gives players the same access to opportunities as the boys competing in national and county-level competitions. A focus is also given to UEFA qualified coaching, performance analysis, physiotherapy and sports psychology. Players will be able to combine studying with playing football at a high standard, enabling them to take their game to the next level.
FOOTBALL TRIAL SESSIONS
A chance for prospective students looking to enrol for 2023, to train with the team, meet the coaches and hear more about the programme.
Session dates
Next boys' trial:
Monday 22nd April from 19:30-21:00
Sign up via https://forms.office.com/e/SvcK2GeX08
Next girls' trial:
Monday 22nd April from 18:00-19:30
Sign up via https://forms.office.com/e/xjdV49XnZ1
Location (for both trials)
Burnham Football Club, The 1878 Stadium, Burnham Football Club, Wymers Wood Rd, Burnham SL1 8JG
Contact
Please contact Tom Guy via tguy@henleycol.ac.uk for more details.
The Henley College is delighted to be working in partnership with Wycombe Wanderers SET on our Elite Football Programme.
Speaking about the partnership, Paul Foley, Head of Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust, said:
“Wycombe Wanderers Sports & Education Trust is delighted to announce our partnership with Henley College who have a fantastic reputation for high quality academic provision.
Our new Football & Education programme will allow students to access over 60 different courses – comprising A Levels, BTEC’s and vocational pathways – alongside a professional football curriculum including an extensive games programme against other professional football club & college partnerships, all delivered by our team of highly qualified and experienced coaches,.
We’re confident that in addition to students getting a first-class teaching and coaching experience, they’ll also gain a valuable insight into the football and sports development industries via work experience opportunities, part time coaching opportunities, plus established exit routes into employment within our charity.”
Gareth Ainsworth, Wycombe Wanderers First Team Manager, added:
“It’s great to see that the Wycombe Wanderers Sports & Education Trust has been able to resume their activities after the pandemic, engaging with more and more local people in so many positive ways. I’m delighted to learn of the new coaching partnership with The Henley College and look forward to seeing how it develops.”
The Henley College’s Football Head Coach, Tom Guy said:
"I'm delighted to finally get this all in place with over a year of planning, alongside Wycombe Wanderers SET staff, The Henley College and our other local football club partners such as Henley Town FC and Wallingford FC. With this we have formed, what we believe will be a long term, realistic and successful programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for new prospective footballers at The Henley College with benefits such as representing Wycombe Wanderers SET in the NYFL, FA Youth Cup participation, analysis at the stadium and fixtures on the Adams Park pitch at the end of the season to name a few!"
Coach
Head of Football - Tom Guy - tguy@henleycol.ac.uk
Past Tours
In recent years Henley College Football Programme students went on tours of Germany and Spain.
In 2016 students went to Madrid to train at Ciudad Del Futbol. Training each day at Spain’s national football centre, the team played 3 fixtures against high quality local opposition. The tour also included a trip to Real Madrid’s famous Bernabeu stadium for a Saturday’s La Liga fixture. The students also got to experience other local sights such as the Plaza Mayor and La Puerta del sol and watched Atletico Madrid’s U17 side play a friendly.
Further tours are in the planning stage and we hope to be in a position to announce locations and details soon.
Former students
Former student and Defender Ed Gadd (2014-16) is currently in America on a soccer scholarship for Genesee University, New York.
Former student and Central Midfielder Ed Jabbari (2014-16) is now playing ‘Soccer’ in America with a scholarship to Newman University in Kansas.
Contact
Keep up-to-date with trial dates, match reports and news on our Twitter account @HenleyFootball
For further information please contact Tom Guy via tguy@henleycol.ac.uk
Match Reports
Tactic League Premier Division Table
