Football Performance and Excellence Level 3

Quick facts

Is it for me?

? West Suffolk College Football Academy

In Partnership with Culford School

Welcome to the West Suffolk College Football Academy, where ambition meets opportunity. In partnership with Culford School, we offer an outstanding pathway that combines football development with an OFSTED Outstanding education.

This unique programme allows you to train like a professional, study for a recognised qualification, and experience enrichment opportunities that prepare you for life on and off the pitch.

What you'll learn

?? Academic Excellence

Alongside training, you'll study the BTEC Level 3 in Sport (Coaching and Development - Football) at West Suffolk College, an institution rated Outstanding by OFSTED.

Year 1 Units:

• Developing Coaching Skills
• Careers in Sport
• Self-Employment
• Exercise, Health and Wellbeing
• Sport Development
• Practical Sports Application

Year 2 Units:

• Fitness Training (60 GLH)
• Fitness Testing (60 GLH)
• Sporting Injuries (60 GLH)
• Applied Coaching Skills (180 GLH)
• Technical and Tactical Skills in Sport (60 GLH)
• Research Project in Sport (120 GLH)

This blend of education and performance ensures you leave with both qualifications and real-world skills for your next steps.

?? Elite Football Development

• UEFA-Qualified Coaching: Daily training and match preparation led by expert coaches Joseph Yaxley, Richard Wilkins and Stephen Murphy.
• Match Day Experience: Weekly competitive fixtures to showcase your ability.
• High-Performance Facilities: Training, gym, and pool recovery sessions at Culford School.
• Career Pathways: Direct links into semi-professional and professional football, as well as higher education and sports careers.

?? Enrichment & Experiences

Our academy goes beyond football with unforgettable enrichment trips designed to challenge, inspire, and build character:

• University of South Wales Football Tournament
• AoC Sport Football Nationals
• Paintball & Team-Building Days
• White Water Rafting
• Golf Lessons
• The Playground Team-Building Experience

?? Professional Standards

We demand excellence on and off the pitch:

• 100% attendance & punctuality
• Respect, teamwork & professionalism
• Commitment to training, education, and enrichment

Equipment required for the course

?? Enrichment & Equipment Costs

To support the high standards of our Football Academy, all students are required to contribute towards enrichment activities and essential equipment.

This contribution covers:

• New Nike Kit Partnership
  

  We are proud to unveil our new official Nike kit deal, giving our players a professional identity that matches our ambitions.

• Enrichment Activities
  Helps fund a range of trips and experiences such as team-building days, competitive tournaments, university visits, and outdoor adventure activities.

Estimated cost: £300 - £450 for the academic year
(Support with payments or bursaries may be available for eligible students.)

?? This investment ensures every player has access to top-quality kit and unforgettable enrichment experiences that support their development both on and off the pitch.

Work experience placements

Real-World Experience: 40-Hour Work Placement

As part of the BTEC Level 3 in Sport (Coaching and Development - Football), all students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of work-based placement with local sporting organisations.

This is a key part of the course, designed to give you valuable insight into the sports industry and help you develop the skills, confidence, and professionalism needed for your future career.

?? What to Expect:

• Work with Trusted Local Partners
  Students will be placed with a range of trusted local employers including football clubs, sports coaching companies, fitness centres, schools, and community sport initiatives.
• Hands-On Experience
  You'll take part in real-world coaching, event planning, fitness instruction, or sport development activities - gaining first-hand experience of what a career in sport looks like.
• Skill Development
  These placements help build transferable skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving - all of which are essential in both sport and wider career pathways.
• Guidance and Support
  Our academy staff and employer engagement team will support you throughout the placement process, helping you secure a role that fits your interests and career goals.
• Reflective Practice
  You'll also reflect on your placement experience as part of your coursework, linking what you've learned on the job to your academic and personal development.

?? Completing your 40-hour work placement is not just a course requirement - it's a stepping stone to employment, coaching opportunities, and future study. It's your chance to stand out, build connections, and experience what it really takes to succeed in the sports industry.

Further study

?? Progression Routes for Level 3 Students

Completing the BTEC Level 3 in Sport (Coaching and Development - Football) at West Suffolk College opens a variety of exciting progression pathways tailored to your ambitions both on and off the pitch:

- Higher Education
Many of our students progress to degree-level courses in football coaching / sports coaching, sport science, physiotherapy, sports management, or related fields at universities and colleges across the UK. We provide guidance and support throughout the UCAS application process to help you secure a place at a university that matches your goals. 

- Pathway to US Soccer Scholarships

Our Level 3 Football Programme not only prepares you for success in the UK but also opens doors to international opportunities - including soccer scholarships at colleges and universities across the United States.

Through our high-performance training, academic excellence, and strong links within the football and education industries, we support ambitious student-athletes who dream of continuing their football and academic careers abroad.

- Coaching and Leadership Roles
Graduates can pursue further coaching qualifications (such as FA Level 2/3 coaching badges) to build careers in football coaching, youth development, or sports leadership. The practical skills gained through the programme provide a strong foundation for these roles.

- Employment in the Sports Industry
From sports development officers to fitness instructors, many career opportunities exist within the wider sports and health industries. The combination of practical experience and academic knowledge gained here makes our graduates highly employable.

- Apprenticeships and Vocational Training
For those seeking hands-on experience, apprenticeships in sports therapy, fitness training, or facility management offer excellent routes to employment and professional growth.

Our dedicated staff team will work closely with you throughout your time in the academy to identify and support the best progression route based on your individual talents, aspirations, and academic achievements.

Where will this course take you?

• Advanced Gym Instructing and Personal Training Diploma Level 3
• University Studies at West Suffolk College
• U.S Sports scholarships
• UK International Soccer degree
• Other sports courses at universities across the UK

Example careers

• Personal Trainer
• PE Teacher 
• Sports Coach
• Sports Scout 
• Sports Massage Therapist
• Physiotherapist 
• Umpire
• Referee 
• Nutritionist
• Sports Presenter 
• Sports Journalist
• Sporting Event Co-ordinator 
• Athlete
• Sports Development Officer 
• Leisure Centre Manager
• Sports Promotion  

Discover more

?? Your Future Starts Here

By joining the West Suffolk College Football Academy, you'll become part of an elite environment that balances academic achievement with football excellence. Whether your future lies in professional sport, coaching, or higher education, this programme sets the stage for success.

?? Apply now and take your first step toward becoming part of the next generation of football excellence.

Days & times

Starting September 2026