Your chance to join the Gills
Are you a 16-19 year old footballer considering college? Then why not apply for the Gillingham FC Girls Academy!
Our Girls Academy is a unique two-year education and sports development programme which gives the opportunity for female players to gain an accredited qualification while training weekly and playing competitive football.
During the two year scholarship, girls will get the chance to:
• Study towards a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in sport, which is equivalent of 3 A-Levels;
• Train throughout the week with FA qualified coaches at the Gills’ first team training ground at Beechings Cross in Gillingham;
• Represent Gillingham FC in organised fixtures, following the South East Counties Women's Football League fixture programme;
• Gain experience in coaching within the GFC Community Trust – working in schools and clubs locally.
The Girls Academy is a proven pathway for further education and development in the game, with former members gaining university football scholarships to play in America, as well as many current and former Academy girls progressing to the Gillingham FC Ladies first team. Many girls also go onto further education courses at university after the Academy.
Current second year and Head Girl at the Academy, Seren, said of the Academy: “The Girls Academy is a really fun, football-based further education centre. You gain a lot from being at the Girls Academy that you might not have achieved at other places. In both your academics and your sport there is a lot of support from the staff to help you progress into what you want to be. It’s hard work but it’s worth it in the end! When I finish, I’m going to university to study Sports Science.”
First-year Shannon added: “The Girls Academy is the right balance of doing the physical side and the academic side. I joined because I enjoy football and it’s something that I’m interested in, and I thought it was more suitable than studying at another college. The Academy is a positive experience that can get you where you want to be in your football career, and helps lead to pathways to further football experiences.”
This course is open to girls born between 1st Sept 2000 and 31st August 2002. All applicants will need 5 A*-C grade GCSEs, including English and Maths, and will also need to be able to play football.
For more information or to register your interest in joining for September 2017 please contact Georgia Bowie on gbowie@priestfield.com or 01634 623 411 as soon as possible, and by no later than April 2017. Please remember places are limited.
This is your chance to experience football like the professionals and develop a career in the beautiful game!
