Chester FC Football Education Programme Opens Recruitment for 2027/28

Posted by Jim Green on 16/09/202617/09/2026

Aspiring footballers, coaches and sports professionals are being invited to discover the opportunities available through the Chester FC Football Education Programme, with recruitment now underway for the 2027/28 academic year.

Designed for young people aged 16–19, the two-year programme offers students the opportunity to combine a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Development & Coaching, equivalent to three A-Levels, with a specialist football development pathway.

Delivered in partnership with Access Sport, the programme provides a unique opportunity to study, train and develop within a professional football environment, with students supported to build the skills, knowledge and experience they need for their next step.

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Two pathways. One football environment.

Students can choose between two specialist pathways depending on their ambitions:

Elite Football Scholarship

For talented young footballers looking to maximise their potential on the pitch, the Elite Football Scholarship pathway combines full-time education with a comprehensive football development programme.

Students represent Chester FC across the National League U19 Alliance and FA Youth Cup, while working towards the standards required to progress into senior football.

The programme places a strong emphasis on individual player development, with students supported through Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and a combination of technical, tactical, physical, social and psychological development.

Players also benefit from performance technology including Veo video analysis, GPS technology and Sport Session Planner, helping them understand and improve their performance in a modern football environment.

The pathway provides a proven route towards the Chester FC first team, while also supporting players who may progress into other professional, semi-professional or university football opportunities.

Football & Coaching Development

For students who want to develop as footballers while building a future in the game, the Football & Coaching Development pathway provides an opportunity to turn a passion for football and sport into a future career.

Students follow a structured football development programme, with regular training and fixtures designed to develop their technical, tactical, physical and game-understanding skills. They will also develop practical coaching experience alongside their academic studies, with opportunities to gain industry qualifications, develop their understanding of performance and sports development, and gain valuable hands-on experience within a professional football environment.

The pathway can support students interested in careers including football coaching, sports development, performance analysis, sports science and community sport, with learning shaped around their individual career ambitions.

Recruitment Events

Throughout the year, we will host recruitment events at King George V Community Sports Hub in Blacon, giving prospective students, parents and carers the opportunity to find out more about the programme. The events provide an opportunity to meet our team, learn about our pathways, take part in practical sessions and assessment trials, and ask questions about progression, qualifications and future opportunities.

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A pathway into the football industry

The Chester FC Football Education Programme offers much more than a traditional college experience.

Students learn within a real football club and community environment, combining classroom-based study with practical experience, football development, coaching, industry qualifications and opportunities to work alongside experienced professionals.

Depending on their ambitions, students can progress into professional and semi-professional football, university, USA football scholarships, apprenticeships, coaching qualifications or employment within the sports industry.

For aspiring players, the assessment process also provides an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to our coaching team. Players identified as having the potential to progress will be invited to further assessment opportunities alongside players from Premier League and EFL academy environments later in the season.

Take your next step with Chester FC

Whether your ambition is to play at the highest level, become a football coach, work in performance or build a career in sport, the Chester FC Football Education Programme provides an environment in which you can develop both on and off the pitch.

To find out more about the Chester FC Football Education Programme, click here or email community@chesterfc.com.