Students at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form are set to benefit from a professional football partnership with the Matrix Soccer Academy.
Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form already has an enviable reputation for excellence in sport and a high performing football academy. This year Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form have teamed up with Matrix Soccer Academy to offer an innovative new qualification for aspiring football professionals. The Level 3 Diploma in Performance and Excellence in Coaching will enable students to develop professional level performance skills and set them up for a successful career in the football industry.
Matrix was founded in 2006 by Blackburn Rovers’ Advanced Technical Skills Development Coach, Charlie Jackson, who is also Director of Football at Moorland School, and business entrepreneur, Tahir Khan, who is actively engaged in children’s welfare work.
Charlie brings a wealth of football industry experience to the partnership with Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form. He is currently part of the Manchester City Development Team and also works at Performance Level for the Scottish FA. He has many years’ experience working at Premiership Clubs including Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers FC. Also a part of Matrix, Paul McGladdery will be coaching on the course. Paul is currently working at Performance Level for Manchester City and the Scottish FA. He has extensive experience identifying young players with potential and helping them to progress technically to Professional Level.
Charlie Jackson and Tahir Khan visited the College last week to officially sign the contract and Charlie Jackson said, “We are delighted to be part of this exiting partnership between Matrix and Nelson and Colne College, to deliver our programme and create a new generation of skilled players into the football arena.”
College Principal, Amanda Melton, said, “It’s a really exciting time at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form – last year saw us achieve some of the best results nationally, placing us as one of the best colleges in the country. This, paired with the exciting developments we are making to our curriculum, means that the young people of East Lancashire have astounding opportunities on their doorstep!”
The programme will see its first intake of students in September 2015. For more information on theMatrix Soccer Academy or Sport at Nelson and Colne College, call 01282 440 272.
