Bexhill College Open Football Trials

27 January 2023

Bexhill 6^th Form College is committed to developing the sporting talents of all our students. This is achieved through the Academies Programme, which was set up in 2007 to further enhance and enrich the sporting opportunities available for young people in Hastings, Eastbourne, Rother, and the surrounding areas. Over the years, the Bexhill College Football Academy has continued to develop and grow, resulting with the Academy Programme being in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation and in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Football Club. The vision of Bexhill College, Eastbourne Borough Football Club, and Chelsea Football Club Foundation is to provide footballers in Sussex the opportunity to receive professional coaching and a football experience that aids their ability whilst achieving an outstanding education.

The Football Academy trials present students from all across the region with an excellent opportunity to progress both as a player and a teammate, as well as expand the footballing options and pathways that are available to them. There are a host of benefits and opportunities for those who successfully make it through the highly competitive selection process, including:

• A College timetable that fits the students’ choice of subjects around their academy training sessions.
• Exclusive use of the outstanding College facilities including an all-weather, floodlit 3G pitch and a £1 Million strength and conditioning gym.
• Receiving weekly football coaching from UEFA Licensed and Chelsea Foundation coaches.
• Branded Chelsea Foundation Academy training and match day kit.
• Entry into Regional, County, and National competitions.
• Access to Chelsea FC Training Ground (Cobham) for training and match purposes.
• Attendance to Chelsea Foundation tournament with an opportunity to be selected for the Foundation Representative Team.
• Chelsea FC Academy Talent ID Scout at selected home games.
• Guest speakers from Chelsea FC staff.
• Potential work placement opportunities within Chelsea Football Club Foundation.
• Potential opportunity for scholarships through working with external organisations (e.g. Future Elite Sports)
• Men’s 1^st Team players play for Eastbourne Borough Football Club U19s within the National League U19 Alliance against other non-league teams and football foundations.

Acceptance into the Football Academy Programme is based on playing ability alone, and we welcome players of all levels to apply and attend the trials. The Bexhill College Football Academy has a strong history of players from all academic backgrounds and interests, successfully playing within the academy teams. Bexhill College has also seen some of its alumni academy players further progress their footballing careers, including:

• Leon Legge who played for the professional clubs Brentford, Gillingham and currently Harrogate Town
• Izzy Payne who in September 2021, received a 100% scholarship offer through Future Elite Sports to attend Arizona Western College, where she is currently studying to become a PE teacher whilst playing full-time for the College’s football team in the NJCAA National Championship.

In addition, current Men’s 1^st Team students Finlay Holter, Fletcher Holman, Alfie Simmons, and Callum Pollitt are all currently involved with Eastbourne Borough Football Club’s first team.

This year’s women’s football academy trials will take place on Tuesday 14^th March 2023, and the men’s will be on Tuesday 7th March and Thursday 16^th March 2023.

 

Final selection is usually confirmed by the end of April. All the trials will run from 4.30 to 6pm on the Bexhill College 3G pitch on Penland Road. Those attending will be required to wear their own kit, shin pads, and boots suitable for the 3G pitch. For students who have received trial dates and times, please respond to matthewsimpson@bexhillcollege.ac.uk to confirm your attendance.