A new partnership that will see sixth form students team up with Colchester United to combine studying and competitive football has been announced.
Sigma Sixth Colchester and the Colchester United Community Foundation will run a post-16 football programme for the 2024/25 season.
The partnership will see students study A-levels and BTEC courses alongside competing in the EFL Community Education Football Alliance League (CEFA) and other leagues and cups.
Jon Taylor, Director of Sport at Sigma Sixth, said: “We are delighted to be further developing our partnership with Colchester United Community Foundation to build on the successes of our established football academy programme.
“We have been working in partnership for the last two years on our female football academy programme, so the next phase in our development makes perfect and logical sense to expand the partnership to include our male football academy programme.
“This partnership aligns with our vision in developing a community where everyone feels they belong and are the best they can be, and it is great to be working with our local professional football club to further enhance our community cohesion and promote the city of Colchester.”
Kieran Michaels, Post-16 Programme Lead at Colchester United Community Foundation, added: “We’re really excited to announce this partnership with Sigma. I feel it will grow the Post-16 football programme stronger and we’re all really excited to get started in preparation for the upcoming season.
“We’re looking forward to providing a really good education to our players off the pitch, as well as providing a competitive football environment on the pitch.”
As part of the programme, Sigma Sixth will compete in the prestigious EFL Community and Education Alliance League, which is only open to teams who are associated to a EFL professional club organisation.
There will also be opportunities for players within the programme to gain employment within the Community Foundation, benefit from first team player visits and the opportunity to be recommended for trials for Colchester United Under-18s or Under-21s.
If you are interested in joining the Post-16 Programme with Sigma Sixth and Colchester United Community Foundation, please visit https://www.sigmasixth.org.uk/apply-now-colchester-campus/ to find out more and start the application process.