It has been a year like no other, but we enter 2021 with fresh hope for a much brighter future after the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was granted Government approval earlier this month.
The pandemic has impacted everyone, and people in Oxfordshire must remain vigilant over the festive period after the county was placed into Tier Four by Government on Tuesday afternoon.
COVID-19 first came to the world’s attention months before Velocity Football launched and welcomed students in September.
We spent the summer carefully building an expert team of coaches and tutors that would help us deliver our programmes and provide each student with the right environment to help them reach their full potential.
It was also essential we put measures in place to ensure Velocity Football provided students and our colleagues with a safe learning environment. I am proud of the challenges our team have overcome during our launch year to make this possible and we will continue to ensure the safety of our students and coaches is of the highest importance next year.
We have experienced outstanding achievements in our first term. In the classroom, students on both our male and female programmes have applied themselves superbly and consequently generated a fantastic spirit within their working bubbles.
The second national lockdown challenged students’ development on the football field. And while we were still able to train in a limited capacity, competitive fixtures were rightly postponed.
Nonetheless, progress in the National League and Tactic Leagues has been phenomenal with students of all abilities able to experience being part of a team and all achieve positive personal development outcomes.
Taking the above into consideration, Velocity Football can look to a bright and prosperous 2021. We are passionate about providing our students with a nurturing and progressive environment in which they can develop key skills and experience and a pathway into a career in sport. Providing students continue to apply themselves in the way they have in our first two terms, they will end this academic year with a valuable qualification and invaluable experience.
There are many people to thank for their support this year and making Velocity Football possible. Firstly, to our Principal Sponsor Macron Store Cardiff whose generosity means our students are supplied with the highest standard of sportswear to train and play in.
The support of our partners Vestel Visual Solutions and Westcoast means we have been able to enhance students’ learning experiences too via our 75” analysis screen.
We also wish a Merry Christmas to our partners at Ignite Sport UK, Oxford Brookes, Oxford City FC, Activate Learning and Virtual Learning UK.
We’d like to wish you a positive festive period to our technology partners 360Player and VEO Camera too.
To the parents of our students, your encouragement is invaluable – and the support you have shown during the first two terms has been outstanding.
My colleagues at Velocity Football deserve a special thank you. It is your dedication, passion, and experience that you bring to our programmes that helps students enjoy their time here and flourish. It is evident just by walking around the Velocity Stadium each day that students relish the learning environment you have helped to make possible.
Lastly, thank you to the students. It is wonderful to see you all progressing and enjoying Velocity Football. You bring energy and a determination to our programmes that inspires us all to provide you with the best possible pathway.
I look forward to seeing everyone again in the new year. Have a peaceful and wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Justin Merritt, Velocity Football Director.
