Education rewarded

The FA will host a lunch at Wembley Stadium on 28 March to congratulate the schools, colleges and universities who have recently been named ‘Focus Institutions’ as a reward for their recent success within Football Development.

The institutions (listed below) have made significant strides in developing Leadership and Volunteering programmes, developing the game of Futsal, providing students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in regular competitions and training new coaches and referees.

The planned lunch will take place prior to England’s friendly with Slovakia and a representative from each institution will be invited pitchside to receive a plaque in recognition of their efforts.

Donna McIvor, The FA’s National Education Manager, is delighted with the progress shown by each institution.

"We have formed a unique partnership with key organisations in education," she said.

"Through developing a strategic approach to creating Football Development hubs we hope to increase participation across the student-base and develop the workforce.

"This will provide students with an enriched football experience and key skills that will assist them to be more employable on leaving full time education," she continued.

"Sport - football in particular - can play a massive role in developing young people and we hope the programmes being developed in the Focus Institutions will support their life-long love of the game."

Focus Colleges

- Bridgwater College
- South East Essex College
- South Devon College
- Wilberforce Sixth Form College
- Telford College
- The Manchester College
- Queen Mary's College
- Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
- Sutton Coldfield College
- Derby College

Focus Independent School

- St Bede’s School, East Sussex

Focus Universities

- University of Birmingham
- University of Brighton
- Buckinghamshire New University
- UWE Hartpury College
- Imperial College London
- Manchester Metropolitan
- University of Nottingham
- Southampton Solent University
- University of Hertfordshire

For further information on the programme please contact the relevant Football Development Manager:

Karl.Lines@britishcollegessport.org (Colleges)

George.Carney@bucs.org.uk (Universities) or;

Donna.McIvor@TheFA.com  (Schools)