Three players from SCL academies have secured dream moves to either the Football League or Premier League in recent weeks.
Rhys Dolan and Lewis Walker moved to Barnsley and Derby respectively from Ilkeston, whilst Shilow Tracey left Ebbsfleet to join Tottenham last week.
As well as offering opportunities to receive high class football coaching, SCL linked academies ensure that players also gain vital educational qualifications.
Through SCL’s educational provision, players are able to enhance their footballing development and also work towards a BTEC Diploma in Sport, sports coaching qualifications and Maths and English GCSEs.
Ilkeston Academy Director Paul Holland told The NLP: “We have been with SCL since the summer and the quality of education that we are now able to offer is second to none. As a football club we have always put as much emphasis on education as football because we know that not all the lads coming in are going to make it.
“I am also pleased to hear that despite signing professional terms with Barnsley, Rhys has indicated that he would like to continue his education with SCL. He has gone there knowing that he still has to prove himself and has realised the importance of having a good academic qualification behind him”
To date SCL has teamed up with over 40 Non-League and professional clubs and managing director Lewis Field told The NLP that SCL is always looking for new opportunities and partnerships.
Field said: “Whether clubs have an existing Academy and are looking for an alternative education provider or want to set up a programme from scratch, SCL has the expertise, support structure and experience to make it happen.”
Academies at Ilkeston and Ebbsfleet have also performed well on the pitch by beating Football League opposition in this year’s FA Youth Cup – Ilkeston getting past Burton and Shrewsbury and Ebbsfleet toppling local rivals Gillingham.
Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon added: “It is brilliant that the players are able to combine their footballing development with gaining educational qualifications and these recent successes in the FA Youth Cup certainly show that there is still great young talent around Non-League football.”
