FOOTBALL: SOLIHULL MOORS’ football academy will move to CTC Kingshurst Academy in Cook’s Lane after the club announced a new partnership earlier this week.
The teaching staff at CTC will provide academic tuition while Moors coaches will look after the football side of players’ education.
Having started with 40 boys between the age of 15 and 18, Moors’ academy has just completed a successful first year.
But news of the new partnership has already created massive interest and enabled Moors to offer places to over 100 boys.
Last year, studies were split between Solihull College and Old Silhillians.
But Mark Fogarty, the club’s director of sport, was aware a venue where everything could be accommodated on one site was needed if Moors was to expand its academy.
He said: “CTC have tremendous facilities with acres of grass for training and games and a new 3G artificial pitch for our use.
“We have attracted players from far and wide; some have chosen to join us ahead of Football League football clubs whilst others have already had that experience.
“Our aim is to give them the best training and pastoral care possible.
“Our success on and off the pitch in our first year is one of the reasons so many want to join us.
“The staff we have in place at the academy are top class and cemented by the brilliant teachers and staff at CTC.”
The partnership will start from September 2017, and students joining the scheme will study a variety of BTEC qualifications ranging from extended diplomas to certificates.
Lessons will take place during the mornings, leaving the afternoons free so high level coaching can take place on the extensive and impressive sports facilities.
Students will also be provided with individualised nutritional programmes and there will be the opportunity for them to develop their fitness levels through the provision of free gym and swim passes.
Everything is being geared towards the youngsters being highly successful both in the classroom and on the football pitch.
Damon Hewson, CTC’s academy principal, is excited at the prospect of the partnership.
He said: “Just like Solihull Moors, we are totally committed to the pursuit of the highest possible standards to ensure that our students develop into conscientious individuals with the highest aspirations.
“We have a very genuine desire to want to support student outcomes in all aspects of academy life and to provide the best possible facilities and opportunities.
“It is extremely gratifying to enhance our provision by working with such a rapidly developing and increasingly successful local football club which shares our desire to want the best for their young players.”
One academy member, who made his debut for Solihull Moors last season against Eastleigh in the National League, is Josh Endell.
Endell made his debut while studying in year 11 at CTC Kingshurst Academy – and the youngster said the academy has always supported him in balancing school life with football.
He added: “They gave me day release so that I could train with the other full time lads and then the teachers would help me catch up, often working with me in their own time.
“The facilities at the academy are ‘state of the art’ and I cannot think of a better place for our Moors Academy.”
