Academy Update

Academy Update

Changes to our Academy

During the summer we have experienced a period of significant change and as these changes now come to fruition, a timely update is required.

In early June, our education provider for the past three years, SCL Education Group, served notice that it would be terminating its agreement to provide education at the end of August 2024. SCL as a business will be putting its focus behind its larger academies with 55+ students and SRFC does not fall into this category. We have always made provision for this situation and did initially have discussions with other local academies with an option to work closely together sharing education and facilities for the benefit of all. In tandem we held discussions with other providers, and we can now confirm that Juniper Training will provide educational provision for the coming and future academic years.

Juniper is a well-established education and training provider with almost 40 years’ experience. Full details of the educational course provided will be available on the web site shortly for any interested students and parents/guardians for the intake period September 2025. In summary Juniper will provide the same NCFE level education provided by SCL so there is no change for existing scholars. The course, when completed is the equivalent of three A* A-Levels giving students the option for university application, USA football scholarship application, graduate trainee opportunities or indeed the opportunity to remain as a third-year student focusing on the Personal Trainer option.

As a result of the changes, we say a fond good-bye to our tutor, Adam Cook, who remains with SCL in a new role at Chesterfield FC. We would like to thank Adam for all his hard work in ensuring that our scholars received the best possible level of education, and he leaves with a heavy heart but our best wishes and luck in his new venture.

Replacing Adam is David Gould, who will not only take up the role of tutor but that of football coach to the academy. David is no stranger to SRFC having been appointed Under 16s JPL manager at the start of last season. David is now manager of our Under 18s MFYL team. As a EUFA B licensed coach David has over 25 years’ experience and will be a major asset to the club. In addition, David is a teacher and recently undertook similar roles at Basford United FC and Long Eaton United FC. As Academy Manager David will be directly employed by Juniper but will also undertake project work for the football club under the direction of Andy Fearn.

Joining David will be our first ever Football Club Management Apprentice, Kyle Glayshier. Kyle has been a student at the academy for three years and now moves into a fourth year under the tutorship of Juniper to enhance his coaching and managerial skills. As part of this program, Kyle, already a Level 1 coach will assist David with academy training and team management, and he will also work on projects within the football club centering around football administration, finance, and infrastructure.

Education, as always will take place on site, but has moved into the “Fans Bar,” which has always been a redundant weekday facility. This is a secure environment for educational purposes and with thanks to Mark and Ben Alcock and lottery funding the facility has been improved to provide full internet/Wi-Fi access, better heating, and security. We must emphasize that this is an ALCOHOL-FREE facility during the week and is kitted out as a classroom. At weekends, the room can revert to its bar status if required.

If you are a potential student or parent/guardian interested in joining the academy scholarship program commencing September 2025 a series of recruitment trials will be held across the year, commencing Monday 28th October 2024.

More information can be obtained by email:

David.gould@staffordrangersfc.co.uk

Kyle.glayshier@staffordrangersfc.co.uk

Andy.fearn@staffordrangersfc.co.uk

Stafford Rangers FC

 

 

Squad Update

Squad Update

Pathway to the first team success

SRFC Academy

Under the leadership of Andy Turner, our Academy & Development Squad aim is to produce players with first team potential, and so far, this season Jack Sandel (Goalkeeper) and Lewis Keeling (Midfield) have trained regularly with the first team and have made appearances. Jack has also had several games at Eccleshall FC on dual registration forms.

Other players were given the opportunity for game time in the Staffordshire Senior Cup versus Kidsgrove, and their attitude and hard work has now paid dividends. We are pleased to confirm that Miles Mawson (Defender), Max Barlow (Defender/Midfield), Henry Brereton (Midfield) and Fletcher Rushbury (Striker) have all signed first team forms and are training with the first team. Their challenge now is to work harder and push for a place in the match-day squad. Other players are expected to follow, subject to injuries but the message is clear that if the correct attitude is shown together with hard work and commitment, opportunities will arise.

All players will continue to play for their respective youth and academy teams, ensuring regular game time and further development.

Well done to all !

 
Stafford Rangers Scholarship Programme Open Event

Stafford Rangers Scholarship Programme Open Event

Scholarship places available

SRFC Academy

The next Stafford Rangers Scholarship Programme Open Event will be Monday 12th February at the Stan Robinson Stadium, 10am to 1pm.

Over the past 18 months we have made huge strides in terms of positive club pathways, with U18 MYFL and Midland Football League U21 exposure and competing in the best Academy League outside of the Professional Football Academy the National LeagueYouthAlliance, 6 Scholars have made first team debuts and several others have been out on loan to step 5 and 6 clubs in the non league pyramid, we have also visited St George’s Park numerous time to help the FA with their coach education programme.

Our education provider SCL Education have been fantastic achieving a 100% pass rate in the level 3 extended diploma in sports coaching and development and we continue to have the top 3 attendance consistently, it shows that the students are in the correct environment.

The Programme is for both boys and girls we have a number of girls who play for our u18 Stafford Rangers Terriers on a Saturday morning in the Staffordshire Girls and Ladies League, who will go into senior football next season.

Book your place for February or email Academy Manager Andy Turner for more information, to book your place for September 2024.

    Stafford Rangers FC Academy

     

    New Scheme Announced

    New Scheme Announced

    Creating the coaches of the future

    Stafford Rangers in the Community is proud to announce an exciting and innovative new scheme to give young people the chance to take the first steps towards a career in football coaching. Each year we will pay for up to 10 youngsters to take their stage 1 coaching badges and then provide work experience for them to hone their coaching skills delivering the charity’s own community programme. In time we hope to expand this programme to other sports. To do this we need to raise around £2,000 p.a. of which £500 has already been pledged for this year. We need to raise the money quickly to meet the deadlines for the next training courses.

    Will you support this great scheme by making a donation, however small? You can do so by visiting our Just Giving page. If you are a UK taxpayer you can increase the value of your donation to the charity by 21% by agreeing to Gift Aid it – don’t worry, the extra money comes from the government not you!

    STOP PRESS NEWS! The first 5 candidates for the coaching course have been chosen from our Academy students. Congratulations to them and thanks to our Community Engagement Officer Andy Turner for all his hard work organising this scheme.

    UP THE BORO

     
    U18’s achieve Runners-Up Spot

    U18’s achieve Runners-Up Spot

    Congratulations to our U18’s

    SRFC U18sWith beating Walsall Wood last night (Wednesday, 3rd May), the our U18’s side managed to claim the Runners-Up spot, in the U18’s MYFL league.

    Since Andy Turner took over at Christmas they have been unbeaten in the league, winning 8, drawing 2 and losing 0 in their meteoric rise up the table. This has been achieved with the same squad that started the season, but developed and coached under the guidance of Andy Turner and Shaun O’Callaghan to attain remarkable results.

    They finished the season with title winning form, which is hoped will continue into next season.

    Congratulations to all players, coaching staff, parents and volunteers, without whom this could not have been achieved.

     
    Academy Now Recruiting

    Academy Now Recruiting

    Academy Event for Intake in 2023

    The Stafford Rangers Scholarship programme continues to grow providing an effective full time football and education programme giving students choice and opportunity.

    We are now looking to the future again and will be running our first of several Academy Events for anyone interested in joining us for our September 2023 year intake on Monday 24th October from 10am to 3pm at the Marston Road Stadium. If you want to unlock your potential through the power of sport this is an opportunity you should consider and explore.

    To book your place please email Andy Turner.

    The SRFC Academy provides well regarded and recognised NCFE Level 2 &3 Qualifications in sport, provided by our market leading education providers SCL with Stafford Rangers providing excellent opportunities through coaching to drive your football skills to another level.

    For the very best there are pathways within a semi profession football club to find out whether you are good enough to build a career in the world of football whether it be playing, coaching or providing you with the skillset to develop a career within the Sports Industry. Classroom education is delivered alongside an active hands on coaching programme and weekly league and cup competitive football fixtures. This potentially gives students a potential route to first team football at the club and trial opportunities at professional clubs.

    This SRFC Academy is now in its 5th year and the 2nd year with the market leading education providers SCL. All students receive regular individual reviews and career advice as part of their development programme.

    You will be supported fully along the way and benefit from hearing about opportunities open to you though US Scholarships to having the opportunity to take part in end of year overseas football tournaments.

    Now is the time to look at the opportunities open to and this may well be the right choice for you.

    There is no commitment at all in booking your place at our open day on Monday 24th October and you can do so by filling in your contact details or emailing Andy Turner.

    Stafford Rangers FC

    More than a football Club