The Brentford FC CST Post 16 programme is an overarching football and education programme that allows aspiring boys and girls who are 16-19 to excel in a professional football environment, whilst also selecting their choice of educational pathway ranging from A-Levels, Sport Diploma or BTEC.
The programme balances football training and matches with a college timetable to ensure young people’s education is at the forefront. The programme is completely free and players work alongside FA qualified coaches, a strength and conditioning coach, physios and they receive match analysis to replicate a professional football structure.
Balancing Education With Football
In a typical week participants usually attend lessons at their choice of school or college for half of the week. The Trust is now partnered with five key education providers across west London providing participants with a range of courses to study.
The other half of the week consists of training at Gunnersbury Park and league matches. School timetables are tailored to ensure flexibility around training to ensure the participants maintain a healthy balance between studying and football. Every Wednesday there are matches and within the programme free coach travel is provided for away games to ensure no player misses out on game time.
At home matches there is a physio as well as changing rooms with the kit provided. Games are played in the Under 19 National League Alliance for the boys first team; whilst the rest of the teams play against other college programmes across England. Post 16 is structured to create an environment which replicates full-time football for young players and prepares them for professional environments they might come across in the future.
Alek who has just completed his first year on Post 16 said, “I would highly recommend the programme. You get the chance to stay in school full time and finish your A Levels or college studies, and you can develop as a player with the fantastic coaches at Brentford.”
Supporting Different Pathways
The Post 16 programme is a fantastic opportunity that supports and encourages different pathways for each player. With close links to the Brentford Academy and Women’s teams there is also the chance for internal progression. On the programme there are also different teams, and players who display the right attitude and progression are rewarded by moving up a team.
Previous graduates from the programme have taken various routes into football including signing for teams in England, Portugal and Gibraltar; whilst some have also progressed to university scholarship programmes in America. Everything is tailored to the individual participant and the coaches work closely with each player to support them on their next steps either in football, further education, work or coaching.
Notable graduates include Marley Tavaziva who signed a two-year scholarship with the Brentford B Team in September 2022 having been part of the Post 16 programme. More recently Henry Mott graduated from the programme and signed for Manchester 62 in Gibraltar and now plays football overseas. With a network of scouts, club contacts and career advisors the programme aims to give participants the tools to succeed in the future.
Helping to Develop Individuals
By the end of the programme players will leave with the educational qualification they desired, as well as significantly improving their footballing ability. Jerome Okimo, Head of Post 16 at Brentford FC Community Sports Trust comments, “The programme aims to help grow participants, not just as footballers, but develop as human beings as well. We aspire to provide a number of different pathways for students to progress into, such as further education, work, opportunities abroad or progression in a career focused on football.”
Upcoming Trial Dates
Trials for the boys Post 16 Football Programme are scheduled for:
Click on the links above to book onto the trials or for more information please email: post16@brentfordfccst.com