HEDNESFORD TOWN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 2025/26
Hednesford Town Football Club can proudly announce the return of its full-time Football and Education Scholarship Programme, set to start in September 2025.
In partnership with Juniper Training, the programme aims to offer learners a comprehensive experience, combining football training with education. Juniper Training will handle the academic aspects, providing NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity, alongside Maths and English GCSEs as well as functional skills and apprenticeship opportunities. On top of this the football club will offer all learners the chance to complete the FA introduction to coaching qualification or an FA referee course.
The programme will be based at the 5’s Pavilion Sports Ground in Cannock, which will serve both teaching and training. The facility, supported by Inspired Health and Lifestyle as a facilities partner, offers a high-quality learning and training environment. Students will train four days a week on the pavilion’s artificial synthetic surface, with video analysis, strength, and conditioning included in the weekly schedule.
A clear progression pathway is offered within the club, from the Development Squad to potential loan moves into regional Step 5 and Step 6 clubs, and possibly advancing to the first team, all based on merit. The programme will also provide a pathway for players from the club’s Youth section.
All Scholars will have the opportunity to play at Keys Park Stadium, competing in the best League outside of professional football and represent Hednesford Town in the FA Youth Cup, the club plan to install new state-of-the-art ‘Deso’ pitch for the 2025/26 season, which would be a fantastic opportunity for the Scholars to play on during their time at the football club.
Too add to this fantastic full-time experience with Hednesford Town and Juniper Training, there will be possibilities of a European football tournament, subject to availability.
Andrew Reed, Hednesford Town Director of Football enthused,
“I am delighted to get the Scholarship programme underway. As a club we are looking at how we can build for a sustainable future and create as many opportunities in our community as possible. Within the club we have coined the phrase ‘gold standard’ and our Scholarship programme will be no exception. We want to go above and beyond to make sure we can build a successful youth programme and a pathway to our first team. The Scholarship programme will offer young learners not only a chance at a great education through our partner Juniper Training but also an excellent footballing curriculum. Andy Turner our Head of Development has vast experience in building these programmes and I have no doubt under his stewardship it will be elite.”
Andy Turner, Hednesford Town Head of Development commented,
“I am really looking forward to taking the Scholarship programme forward at this great football club, having had many years of experience doing these programmes. It gives young learners great opportunities to fulfil dreams and ambitions in football, sport and in life. I have witnessed it first hand from youngsters signing professional football contracts, playing first team semi-professional football, acquiring full time positions in sport, gaining apprenticeships and progressing through to University in the UK as well as full time football Scholarship’s in America, the opportunities are vast if you work for them. Hednesford Town as everyone in the area knows are wanting to help create futures on the pitch and in life and I, along with others at the football club, look forward to seeing local young talented footballers play in the Hednesford Town first team for years to come”
THE NEXT OPEN EVENT FOR INTERESTED YEAR 11 OR YEAR 12 LEARNERS IS ON WEDNESDAY 16TH APRIL 2025 – 10AM TO 1PM AT 5’S PAVILION SPORTS GROUND, CANNOCK.
TO REGISTER YOUR PLACE PLEASE EMAIL ANDY TURNER
andyturner@htfc.co.uk
