Back of the net for scholarship trials

More than 100 teenagers took to the pitches at Downhill Football Hub in the hope of securing a place on the Foundation of Light’s Football Scholarship 2021/22 programme. Players from across the North East attended the trials on Monday 21^st December as the charity looks to sign up its next cohort for the male Sunderland programme. Aspiring footballers were put through their paces, compromising of a strength and conditioning session, technical and tactical drills and small sided games. Stewart Doyle, Scholarship Coach at the Foundation of Light said: “Trials for the scholarship programme are always very popular and we are delighted with the turnout and the standard we have witnessed today. “A number of players have been identified and we look forward to hopefully working with them from September.” The Foundation’s Football Scholarship programmes started in 2016, with the programme expanding in 2017 to incorporate a girls squad and in 2018 with another male squad in South Durham. The two-year programme aims to give talented youngsters aged 16-19 the opportunity to compete at a national league level whilst also gaining recognised qualifications through an extensive education programme. Successful trialist will represent Sunderland AFC in the National Football Youth League competing against teams representing, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Manchester City, Burnley, Liverpool and Everton. Last season, two female scholars secured full scholarships in America, while a number of males scholars have gone on to play for semi-professional football or secured university places.