Premier League footballer Kyle Walker has launched his own football academy, aimed at 16 to 19 year-old aspiring professional and semi-professional footballers.
The initiative, which will begin in September 2024, is a scholarship programme for teens at The Sheffield College and is part of the college’s Elite Sports Employer Skills Academy brand.
Walker, who grew up in the Sharrow suburb of the city, and started his career at Sheffield United before moving to Tottenham Hotspur permanently in 2010, visited Sheffield College’s Hillsborough Campus on Monday 11th March to announce the new programme.
Angela Foulkes CBE, Chief Executive and Principle of The Sheffield College said: “We are delighted to offer this exciting opportunity for up and coming talent in football’s first city.”
The educational opportunities offered to students, means applicants accepted onto the Academy scholarship will choose from a wide range of academic or technical subjects and qualifications.
Walker has revealed the scholarship offers a chance for him to ‘give back’ to the local community and offers players a ‘second chance’ in the game.
Ms Foulkes CBE added: “We have a strong track record of supporting elite athletes across a wide range of sporting disciplines and working with industry experts to help our students go further in their careers.”
Sport England’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) enables student athletes to benefit from a flexible teaching timetable that accommodates their teaching and training schedule.
The TASS accreditation recognises an education institution’s commitment to supporting students who are following a dual career route.
Using new facilities at the college’s Hillsborough campus, students will train three times a week and will also receive specialist support such as coaching, video analysis and strength and conditioning sessions.
In its first year, 40 scholarship places will be available in what the initiative hopes will see the next generation of aspiring young players.
The college has announced that applications for the programme opened on Monday, and more information can be found on their next open day on Tuesday 26th March.
To find out more about the scholarship programme, or to sign up, please visit: www.kw2academy.net or email kw2academy@gmail.com.