Cheltenham Town FC

The Futsal and Education Programme, going into its third year, delivers a first class, full time education alongside professional Futsal coaching. The Scholars play competitive Futsal fixtures against other professional Football Clubs including Reading, Bristol City, Swindon Town and Derby County. 

The programme aims to provide 16-18 year olds with pathways, multiple exit routes and opportunities to further education, and the world of employment, by bringing together some of the country’s leading sports and education organisations. The current two cohort`s of Scholars have been hugely successful, excelling in education with the average grade at a merit level and with all 4 teams in the top 5 in the Midlands Futsal Football League Division. 

The Scholars will be enrolled on a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, worth up to 3 A-Levels and allowing access to university. There is also the opportunity to gain vocational qualifications such as the level 1 & 2 Football Coaching Awards, and also Futsal Coaching & Referees Courses. All applicants must be attaining 4 GCSE grades at C or above, ideally including Maths and English. 

Futsal is the only form of indoor football approved by FIFA, UEFA & the FA. With over 2 million players regularly participating in fast-paced 5-a-side action that rewards good technique and game intelligence, Futsal is globally recognised as one of the fastest growing indoor sports in the world. 

The selected 34 players will follow the same coaching patterns as the other Cheltenham Town FC Scholars, with a typical weekly schedule consisting of 2 training sessions, 10-12 hours of Education and a fortnightly fixture in the Futsal National Youth League against other professional football league clubs. 

Cheltenham Town central defender Steve Elliott is the ambassador for Cheltenham Town’s Futsal and Education Programme. Elliott, who has played for clubs such as Derby County and Bristol Rovers, will be lending his support to the Scholarship and believes that the programme will give young footballers another chance to impress. 

“A lot of young footballers fly under the radar but the Futsal and Education scholarship will give those footballers another chance to impress and show people what they can do,” said Steve. 

“I am proud to be the ambassador for this Scholarship programme because I know how tough it can be in this game. The scholarship is there to help young footballers on and off the field and I know it can be a major success here at Cheltenham Town FC.” 

The first open day is this Thursday 24th January 2013 at CTFC Abbey Business Stadium regarding the project, 6pm start. 

Anyone interested can come along on the day or contact the community programme on 01242 518630 or e-mail community@ctfc.com for more information.

For more information on the Community Programme, please visit www.ctfccp.com.