Players studying at Oxford City Football Club’s full-time educational academy experienced a post-term tour to Marbella this month in the company of their coaches and tutors.
Velocity Football headed for Spain’s south-coast for three days of additional training, competitive matches and some deserved social time following the completion of the 2022-23 academic year.
Players were split into three squads with seven matches against Fleetwood Town, Sutton United, Dorking Wanderers, Pathway Academy and SGI Academy organised. The tour ended with Velocity holding a record of three wins, three draws and two defeats.
It marked the first time Velocity Football had travelled abroad since the programme was revamped in summer 2020 to support males and females aged 16-23 interested in fulfilling a career in the sports industry.
Jordan Piper, Football Programmes Manager at Ignite Sport, joined the tour with Velocity Coaches Josh Ashby, Andy Sinnott and Aliyah Anthony.
“There had been a real buzz all winter on the pitch and in the classroom ahead of our tour to Marbella,” said Jordan. “We wanted to reward players for their hard work while adding to the Velocity experience by playing fixtures in a location that’s entirely outside their normal environment.
“Football sat at the heart of the tour with daily training sessions and matches. But outside of that, we saw players grow socially within themselves and with their peers as well as strengthening the relationships with ourselves as coaches.
“That alone was really important as we wished our graduates every success beyond Velocity Football and built on the existing connections established with players who will be returning in September.
“Everyone had a really enjoyable time and it capped off an excellent 10-months where players learnt new skills, gained confidence and continued their development in aspiring to a successful career in the sports industry.”
Based at the RAW Charging Stadium, Velocity Football offers the chance for players to blend full-time training with education towards a sports-industry relevant qualification.
Programmes include a two-year Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport, a one-year Level 2 BTEC First Extended Certificate in Sport, a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Sport and a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science.
Units provide players with an introduction to all elements of the sports industry, including coaching, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports analysis, the media and psychology.
Further information about Velocity Football and its programmes is available via www.velocityfootball.co.uk
