About

Soccer Awareness School Of Development Centre Full Time Academy

Soccer Awareness School Of Development Centre Full Time Academy,  is situated out of The Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre in central Southampton.

The Academy is a full time programme based around Football and Education.  The Academy is for players aged between 16-18 years come the 1st September.

The Education

The Academy is partnered with Education providers Knights Group Sports with students studying on site with a fully qualified tutor.

Students within the course will work towards completing their BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport.

The full course is run over 2 years, with the students studying 7 Units within the first year and a further 6 in the second year.   On completion of each year they will receive certificates with their grade for each unit; either a Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Also, if students fail their English and Maths at GCSE Level, they have the opportunity with us to re sit these subjects through Functional Skills exams, where they will first do Level 1, followed by Level 2 the following year.

The Football

The football side of the programme, lead by Academy Manager Matt Beckingham accompanies the education side of the course.

Competing in several local leagues also included into the fixture programme are various cup competitions which include the Hampshire U18 Midweek Floodlit Cup, and potential show case games against semi professional and professional clubs.

On a typical week, the Academy will train across 3 to 4 training sessions, along with competing in weekly fixtures.

Alongside this 16 hours of College work goes into our weekly schedule.

The Pathways

At Soccer Awareness School Of Development Centre Full Time Academy, we understand that throughout the duration of the course, individual pathways change and that is something we understand and support.   Working with Knights Group Sports allows us to offer and support through the following future ventures:

  • Professional/Semi Professional Football Clubs
  • University Applications
  • USA Scholarships
  • Apprenticeships
  • Exit Trials
  • Support with CV Writing and Job Applications.

Soccer Awareness School Of Development Centre Success Stories To Date

  • 10 boys signed at professional academies in just 6 seasons. Clubs include AFC Bournemouth, Reading FC, Portsmouth FC and Swindon FC.

Testimonials

“I cannot thank Matt & his team enough for the effort & dedication they showed to Harvey’s training & progression, through Matt’s numerous contacts Harvey has had opportunities to train with 7 professional clubs, culminating in contract offers from 2 of those clubs and now a 2 year contract with AFC Bournemouth Football Club.”

Samm Bowyer, Parent Of Harvey Hopley, AFC Bournemouth Football Club

Academy Manager – Matt Beckingham

An FA Level 3 coach with extensive coaching experience of working with a whole host of different age groups and abilities. Premier Skills Licensed Coach and Coach Educator and has completed the FA Youth Module 1 and 2. Previously worked for Southampton Football Club for a number of years firstly within Football in the Community and later as assistant Head of Girls and Woman’s Football working within the Southampton Football Club Girl’s Centre Of Excellence and Academy.  Currently scouting for Reading Football Club, Matt has previously scouted for AFC Bournemouth, Fulham FC and Portsmouth FC.