Stamford Football Academy continues to keep busy despite the national lockdown

Stamford Football Academy have shrugged off the setback of seeing their league programme suspended by turning the national lockdown into a positive.

The Borderville-based scheme were due to start their Association of Colleges league campaign this month having completed an impressive pre-season programme.

However, despite having played nine pre-season games and a number of training sessions in preparation for the league opener, the students and their coaching tutors worked together to find ways to work safely within the November Covid guidelines for educational providers.

A number of six-a-side tournaments have been set up and will be running until the Christmas break while players have also managed to get two in-house academy games into the schedule.

Alongside this, the team used the opportunity to develop the fitness coaching side of the Academy by putting together a programme of activities including spinning and HIIT work-outs.

They have also been able to access the gym to work on their own individual training plans.

The students at the academy take part in three days of education and two days of football training - giving coaches the chance to take additional sessions such as futsal, strength and conditioning and VEO analysis while working within their college bubbles and strictly following Covid guidelines at all times to keep everyone as safe as possible.

Subject to the Government's announcement this week, the Academy already have three fixtures lined up, along with guest speakers including a Premier League scout, to enhance the player experience while on the course.

Students also took part in Football Shirt Friday last week in their own bubble as part of the Bobby Moore charity fund day for cancer.

This not only gave students a fun opportunity but also gave year two students the chance to still lead an event for their education units within the guidelines of the Covid lockdown.

Staff and students joined in with the event, making a donation in return for wearing a football shirt of their choice.

The day commenced with three individual challenges, including a basketball challenge which was won by Lewis Phillips who managed 14 successful throws.

The other two challenges were outside and the weather held allowing them to continue and this included a 10-mile relay run around the Zeeco Stadium pitch which was completed quickly in teams of five and a crossbar challenge with Josh Foreman winning it with 17 hits.

The morning progressed with football tennis competitions under Covid safe conditions which culminated in a final outdoors with Josh Hutton and Sam Ogden coming out the two-versus-two champions.

The players then took part in small-sided games outdoors while others worked indoors on a HIIT session with Borderville fitness instructor Danielle.

To finish the day on a high, the group had a spinning session with Caz Dolby, lecturer and fitness instructor, which involved football themed music to keep the students' spirits high.

The day was an excellent success and the team were thrilled that an event such as this could run under full Covid guidelines.

The day gave a much-needed boost to the students as well as valuable learning in how to organise events. The team raised more than £140 for the Bobby Moore Foundation.

Lecturer and coach Justin Osborne commented: "This event was a fabulous way to motivate our academy players, raise awareness and funds for a charity and also develop their own fitness.

"While working within the Covid November guidelines was always going to be a challenge, it was one we took on to enhance the learning experience for the students."

Fellow lecturer and coach Chris Palmer added: "Throughout the day the students truly appreciated the efforts which had gone into organising the day.

"The year two students led much of the planning. With the absence of being able to plan external events this year, this meant they could still achieve their learning outcomes in a Covid-safe manner."

The Football Academy are holding their next open day on Saturday, December 12, at Borderville.

The taster and trial event runs from 12.15-2pm for training with a presentation between 2 and 2.30pm.

Stamford's first team are then in action at 3pm with a crucial Northern Premier League South East Division clash against Leek Town.

For more information about Stamford Football Academy's full-time courses go to the Stamford College website at www.stamford.ac.uk and type in ‘football.'