Football education specialist Velocity Football is offering students the chance to represent Oxford City in the prestigious FA Youth Cup next month.
Under the management of former professional Mickey Lewis and coach Andy Cox, students on the newly launched Velocity Football BTEC programme will be offered the golden opportunity to represent Oxford City when the club hosts Easingston Sports.
City’s youngsters will face Banbury side Easington on Tuesday, September 8, in the competition’s preliminary round with a further home tie awaiting the winners. The match takes place the day after Velocity Football’s full-time male and female programmes officially begin on September 7 with the hosts fielding a team including a mix of players from the Velocity programme and Oxford City U18s.
Velocity is a new football and education programme based at Oxford City Football Club’s Community Arena in Marston. The programme combines football and sport business with academia for post GCSE students aspiring for a career in sport. The BTEC and higher education courses are open to anyone between the ages of 16 to 18 and 19 to 23 with four GCSE qualifications to their name.
Following confirmation of students’ GCSE results last week, Velocity Football director Justin Merritt has confirmed playing opportunities in a professional environment will be offered to those that demonstrate their ability both in the classroom and on the training ground.
He said: “Velocity Football offers students a unique opportunity to join Oxford City FC’s renowned academy while adding a valuable Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma to their CV with a view to cementing a career in sport.
“We believe with the facilities available at Oxford City FC combined with our progressive and nurturing course we can help each student thrive. We will offer opportunities on the pitch to those who perform to the best of their ability by utilising our link with City’s academy.
“A cup run is something everyone associated with a football club – be it a director, player, fan, or volunteer enjoys. Easington Sports will be just as keen to progress to the next round as Oxford City, so the game will be a great experience for any students that feature.”
In addition to Oxford City’s FA Youth Cup campaign, the club’s youngsters will also play in the Midland Junior Premier League this term at U18s level.
Velocity Football has been created in conjunction with partners Ignite Sport UK and Oxford City, who have been delivering education programmes for almost 20 years. Velocity will deliver separate full-time programmes for males and females, led by head coaches Mickey Lewis and Lauren Haynes.
Students will have the unique chance to receiving wider development via coaching modules, academic education, and work experience within the football club. Education is delivered via face to face teaching with additional support provided by education partners Virtual Learning UK.
Places on the course are available now for a September start date. Visit www.velocityfootball.co.uk for further information.
