Foundation Expands Education Offering with Access Sport Partnership
Sheffield United Community Foundation Expands Education Offering as it Partners with Access Sport
Sheffield United Community Foundation will be partnering with Access Sport (Access Creative College) from 2022/23 to deliver a Football related BTEC Sport study programme at Leisure United Graves under the new Sheffield United Community College banner.
The College already has an extremely well established study programme that has grown from strength to strength in recent years and this partnership will see us working in another hub in a new geographical location to make our courses more accessible across the city.
Joe Williamson, Senior Manager, Sheffield United Community Foundation:
“We are extremely happy to be partnering with Access Sport in order to expand our reach across the city and make education more accessible for 16-19 year olds in Sheffield and surrounding areas. The partnership will see us work together at Leisure United – Graves to deliver a top quality Football & Education programme. We will be combining the expertise of Access Sport (part of Access Creative College) and their long standing success in Education, along with the power of Sheffield United Football Club in order to enhance opportunities and tackle inequalities.”
“Partnering with Access, who are a national provider for various college and degree programmes, is well timed with our rebrand to a Community College. We are hopeful that this is the first step of a more meaningful partnership in which we can offer even more career and education opportunities to the young people of Sheffield.”
“I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff and learners who are already enrolled at Graves for September 2022 and we will be holding a joint parent/learner evening on 17th August 2022 at 4.30pm to provide an in depth view of how the partnership will work and the amazing experiences we can provide together for all of our new starters.”
Delivering education for over thirty years, Access Creative College operates as England’s largest private training provider delivering creative, digital and sport education across seven college campuses within the UK (Norwich, London, Bristol, Lincoln, Birmingham, Plymouth and Manchester), and sixteen football programmes including the Steven Gerrard Academy under the Access Sport brand.
Matt Newbould, Chief Operating Officer, Access Creative College/Access Sport:
“Access Creative College, and Access Sport are pleased to be working with Sheffield United Community Foundation in supporting the delivery of high quality and inspiring Sports provision to young people across the city. This partnership will be delivered using the excellent facilities at Leisure United – Graves enabling young people access to an excellent Football and Education programme. As an established provider of education in sport the partnership between Access and Sheffield United will enable young people to benefit from an experience that will both fully support, and challenge them, by offering an education that prepares them for the sector and as young people.”
“On a personal level, as a native of the City of Sheffield, lifelong Blade and season ticket holder, this partnership reaffirms my belief in Sheffield United being a community focussed club offering wider opportunities to the city as whole. Being able to work with Sheffield United, in a city that has historic and well established links to football is a valued opportunity for us, and it will enable the young people we work with to benefit from some of the best expertise the country has to offer.”
Gary Judge, Director of Sport, Access Creative College/Access Sport:
“We are delighted to have agreed this partnership with Sheffield United Community Foundation to deliver a football education programme from Leisure United’s fantastic Graves football facility. Combining our expertise in further and higher education with such a renowned forward thinking Community Foundation will only create enhanced learning experiences both on and off the pitch for those who join the programme in September.”
“Our further education programme inspires students to fulfill their potential by using their passion for football or sport to develop personal skills, promote health and wellbeing and achieve recognised academic qualifications that will support in their progression onto higher education, U.S Scholarships and direct employment. Very much in-line with the mission statement of the Sheffield United Community Foundation.”
The new Football Education programme will be delivered at Leisure United’s Graves Football Hub which includes dedicated education rooms with state-of-the-art facilities and a 4G pitch for player development sessions, practical education and matchdays.
Any interested learners aged 16-19 still considering their further education options for September are encouraged to register their details here.