Foundation of Light has worked with Sunderland College on a city-wide partnership that has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2021.
The partnership has created opportunities for hundreds of young student-athletes to achieve their goals by providing access to qualifications and employment opportunities alongside sports development.
The Football Scholarship programme saw success in national leagues and cups with some students representing their countries, progressing to higher level clubs, and receiving offers from top universities.
Success was enjoyed on the pitch as well as in the classrooms. The Men’s scholarship squad finished second in their league and reached the semi-finals of the NFYL League Cup, while the Women’s squad reached the League Cup quarter-finals and saw players sign for local clubs including Sunderland AFC Women’s academy, move to the US on sports scholarships or progress to higher education at Russell Group universities.
Jack Caygill - Player of the Season for the Men’s scholarship squad and one of several players to sign for Northern League clubs in senior football - said on his development: “The Scholarship programme has been huge for my development and given me the platform to play at a higher level.
“We had a good year over the season and that was down to the coaching as well as our own commitment and effort. Being able to combine playing football with my studies is fantastic and I’m looking forward to the coming year.”
After another impressive year for the Women’s Football Scholarship, the programme became an official part of Sunderland AFC Women’s Academy. The scholarship programme has long provided a pathway for young players into professional football, especially with SAFC, but this link has now been strengthened.
Women’s scholar, Emily Brown, has now headed to Durham University to study Primary Education after achieving a triple Distinction* in Sports Coaching and Development.
On her time combining her football development with education on the programme, Emily said: “I always wanted to do well in my education so to be able to study and play football at the same time was a dream come true.
“I’ve been given a lot of opportunities that I didn’t expect. I would recommend the Scholarship; I’ve grown as a person and now I’m going to go to Durham University and looking to qualify as a teacher.”
Each Scholarship mirrors the ethos of professional football academies to provide talented young footballers with the best education and opportunities on and off the pitch, supported by high-level facilities and coaching programmes.
Students train under the guidance of UEFA and FA-qualified coaches at the Beacon of Light, such as the indoor ‘Barn’ 4G rooftop pitch, with other advanced facilities including the Downhill Football Hub, Sunderland College’s Sports Academy, and Bede Campus.
Through the scholarship, student-athletes have been given opportunities to play at professional football stadiums, compete in the prestigious Dallas Cup, and travel to Europe for training camps.
The Foundation of Light’s Stewart Doyle, Scholarship Head Coach, said: “We’ve been delighted with how the partnership with Sunderland College has developed.
“The 2023-24 academic year and season will be even bigger with links developed with top local semi-professional clubs which will give our student athletes the opportunity to play in the FA Youth Cup as well as the chance to play at a high level.
“We’re really excited with what we can offer our student-athletes this year.”
Academic pathways that student-athletes can follow include Sports Coaching and Development, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Engineering and Business, A-Levels, or a mix of both.
They will have access to bespoke strength and conditioning programmes, working with nationally renowned coach, Martin Nugent.
On continuing to partner with the Foundation of Light, Michele Di Mascio, Sports Academies and Partnerships Manager at Sunderland College, said: “As well as the overall success thanks to the partnership with the Foundation, we’ve had many individual achievements both on and off the pitch.
“It is an outstanding city-wide partnership that really has our student-athletes at the heart of everything we do.”
To find out more about our football scholarships, or to register your interest, go to - https://foundationoflight.co.uk/what-we-do/find-a-programme/programmes/football-scholarship/
A group of students from the Foundation of Light’s scholarship and study programmes were given a unique opportunity to visit Japan thanks to funding from the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.
Foundation of Light PFA Player Ambassador, Aji Alese, and teammate Jenson Seelt marked EFL Week of Action with a visit to the Beacon of Light.
Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s official charity, is thrilled to announce defender Aji Alese as official PFA Player Ambassador.