Stamford Football Academy are putting their plans in place for next season
Stamford Football Academy are already putting their plans in place for next season despite their on-field activities being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Borderville-based scheme had enjoyed another cracking campaign before a premature end to their season.
But the initiative – which is run in conjunction with New College Stamford – have got their pre-season sessions scheduled and are eagerly-waiting to green light for a return to action.
Assistant coach Chris Palmer commented: “As we now enter a phase of all coming together to form stronger and positive outcomes, we have still been very pro-active.
“We have already got in place our pre-season schedule while, from the education side of the programme, we have students leaving to progress to sport courses at university.
“Some students will be embarking on an apprenticeship in sport and others are exploring our direct scholarship link to Maine University in America.”
The Academy enjoyed a number of good results on the pitch last season with one of their teams top of the league when play was suspended.
The other two squads were sitting in third place in their college leagues while the Academy also progressed to the last 32 of the Under 18 English FA Schoolboys and AOC Cup.
They travelled to Welsh League champions TNS where they experienced an overnight stay before losing 4-2 in their cup clash.
The Academy has also forged a good relationship with the F2 Freestyle Academy and regular friendly fixtures are staged. In addition to the league fixtures and cup competitions, friendlies are also organised against the respective academies at Rugby Town, Kettering Town, Corby Town, Norwich City Development and Sheffield United Development.
The academy is also in the process of organising two mini futsal tournaments for next season which will staged in the indoor sports hall at Borderville.
Although future trips are currently on hold, a visit to St George’s Park as a final end of season academy day, incorporating a match and use of the hydro facilities, is also being planned.
There will also be the end-of-season academy awards which includes coaches player; players’ player; most improved; golden boot; football and education student year one; football and education student year two; golden glove and player of the final month.
The academic side of the course is still going even though the learners are not physically in the classroom.
Chris explained: “Since they finished face-to-face delivery, we have been delivering the course and content online.
“The students have been set tasks via the Googleclassroom suite where they can still work on and submit assignments.
“Lecturers have planned resources for students to follow which could range from slides with notes on to a video breaking down the tasks.
“The real communication winner is the use of Google Hangouts and Google Meets as this enables the teaching staff to hold a video meeting straight to the students laptop, phone or iPad while students can ask questions and listen to the presentations taking place live.
“Each student may have different responsibilities at home so the meetings are set around normal lesson days and the lecturer also has the option of recording the meeting and posting this online later for anyone who didn’t attend.
“We’ve gone virtual and the early signs are positive. Our students are multi-taskers, using a phone while playing Fifa and checking emails.
“This is one life experience they’ll never forget but, when they return to the clsssroom, their independent student skills will have increased along with self confidence.”
For further information on the Academy scheme and its courses visit www.stamford.ac.uk/how-to-apply
The pre-season sessions have been organised for August 17, 18, 25 and 27 from 10am-noon. A matchday tournament with Kettering and Rugby has been planned for Wednesday, August 19, with a game on Wednesday, August 26, against the F2 Academy.
