With another excellent year on the ESPFA programme wrapped up, we would like to acknowledge some of the fantastic opportunities that our graduates are progressing onto. 99 second-year students completed their time on the course this summer and came away with their B-TEC level three qualifications. 42 of those will be continuing their studies and progressing onto a higher education institution. We caught up with some of the some of those students that are progressing on to University in the UK.
Joe Voss, an #ESPFABuckinghamshire student is going to an exciting opportunity and will be studying Sports Performance Analysis at the Cardiff University. At the ESPFA, all league games are filmed, and footage is sent out to the students and as Joe was able to watch and analyse his own performance this made him want to study this degree. He said: “I wanted to do performance analysis because I was able to watch my own performance and players and staff at the ESPFA told me that a big strength of mine is reading the game in different situations and before it has happened which made me keener to do this degree.” On top of benefitting from the education side, Joe also enjoyed his time on the football side of the programme. “My first year at Chesham United was a massive success and one year within my football career that I won’t forget. Within this season I was around a great group of lads and with the bond and teamwork we had, it resulted in us having a very positive season. We went 10 from 10 unbeaten in the league as well as getting through to the National Championships.”
His Chesham United teammate and fellow #ESPFABuckinghamshire student, Madison Wilkin will also be heading to university. He heads to the south coast in September to study Sport Management at the University of Bournemouth. Madison thought the ESPFA was a great starting to point to get him ready for studying at university. He said: “I think the blend of football and education was very beneficial for me. I knew that I didn’t really want to go sixth form and this opened the opportunity to go to university as well. The ESPFA supported me in becoming more independent as a lot of the work you are given pointers and are expected to complete it on your own which related to university work.”
Chandra Limbu, who completed his studies at #ESPFAOXfordshire and represented Kidlington will soon be making the short trip to study at Oxford Brookes. Although Chandra will be having a change of direction in his education and will be studying Business and Finance, he is still looking forward to continuing with his football. “I am looking forward to a new experience and continuing improving my football by joining the team there and playing in a new environment.”
Someone who will be continuing their football development as well as studying a degree is #ESPFANottinghamshire student Hammad Arif. He has had an excellent time with the ESPFA and was recently named as the ‘Student of the Year’ for Carlton Town in the past season. He will be attending the Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy based at Leeds Beckett University. Hammad was drawn to this as he could continue progressing in his football career whilst also studying a degree. He said: “At the RIASA, I’ll be able to play competitively against pro academies and semi-professional teams to whilst also getting a degree. What I’m looking forward to most is being able to showcase myself in the UK and abroad and try take that opportunity to further my football career whilst also furthering my education.” Hammad would recommend the ESPFA to someone wanting to gain experience in a professional setting whilst also gaining an education. “I would definitely recommend ESPFA to anyone thinking about joining as I’ve enjoyed the two years and have felt myself improve and develop a lot as a player and couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
From everyone at the ESPFA, we are extremely proud of the students that have recently finished their two years on the programme with us and we wish all of those that will be attending university in September the best of luck.
We would also like to wish the following students the best of luck for the future who have indicated they wish to attend the following universities:
Ethan Donkerlsey (#ESPFAWestYorkshire) – Huddersfield University
Eliel Zouogbo (#ESPFAWestYorkshire) – Manchester University
Alfie Osbourne (#ESPFABuckinghamshire) – Bournemouth University
Harrison Cooper (#ESPFAWestYorkshire) – York St John
Lucas Wilson (#ESPFACheshire) – Nottingham University
Glodis Pedro (#ESPFAWestMidlands) – Coventry University
Dylan Venn (#ESPFASouthGloucestershire) – Cardiff Metropolitan
Elliot Haigh (#ESPFAWestYorkshire) – Huddersfield University
Hammad Arif (#ESPFANottinghamshire) - Richmond International Academic & Soccer Academy
Joe Voss (#ESPFABuckinghamshire) – Cardiff University
Madison Wilkin (#ESPFABuckinghamshire) – Bournemouth University
Chandra Limbu (#ESPFAOxfordshire) – Oxford Brookes
Lucas Buckley (#ESPFAWestMidlands) – Playmouth Marjon University