A game-changing partnership

Now in its twentieth year, the link up between Exeter College and Exeter City Football Club is a shining example of how education can make an impact in the community it serves and how that community can help shape young lives.

This partnership boasts over 100 students on its academy teams, which includes men and women's football, Community & Education Football Alliance ( CEFA) and futsal.

And it has made significant achievements during this time, including the growth in academy numbers, and investment in facilities for students and the community, providing a pathway for those aiming to be professional players, and a foundation degree linked with Exeter City Football Club and Plymouth Marjon University.

Showing no sign of slowing down, the college and the club, with further support from the University of Exeter and Alphington Football Club, have recently invested in spectator seating, pitch side at the Exwick Sports Hub. The 3G pitch is used by Exeter City women’s side, also known as The Grecians, to play their home fixtures. The seating has provided fans with some much-needed shelter through the winter season and meant aspiring young players can come and support their team.

A new minibus for academy players has also benefited the teams, making their journey between college, training and away games, a lot easier.

Rob Bosworth, the college's deputy CEO, said: "The partnership between Exeter College and Exeter City FC stands as a beacon of opportunity, guiding young talents toward both academic excellence and sporting achievement.

“Two decades of shared ambition, endless dedication, and boundless community impact has built not just a pathway to professional football, but a gateway to brighter futures for all our young people.”

The partnership between Exeter City and Exeter College combines training and matches with academic study. As well as having a performance pathway through the club’s apprenticeship scheme, the sports academy gives aspiring footballers the opportunities to develop their talents and focus on full-time academic or vocational courses, should they not quite break through as a professional player.

For over ten years Exeter City has provided the college with a member of its coaching staff to work alongside the college’s coaches to deliver training sessions. Currently this is Aaron Wakley for the Women’s Football Academy, Alex Bressington supporting the Men’s Football Academy, both who are College alumni themselves, and Chris Mcginn coaching Futsal and CEFA. The current Academy Operations and Performance Director, Arran Pugh is also a former Exeter College student.

Julian Tagg, Associate Director, President and Director of External Affairs at Exeter City Football Club, said: “The partnership between Exeter City and Exeter College has gone from strength-to-strength over the last 20 years and really shows off the shared ethos, values and dedication of both organisations.

“All our young academy graduates have completed their education at Exeter College. In the past players like Dean Moxey and Ollie Watkins, who have gone on to achieve incredible things in their careers, and more recently seeing the likes of Sonny Cox go on to make his mark in the first team this season is both incredible to see and inspirational.

“The same goes for the likes of Connie Pengelly and Jess Sandland who have been crucial parts of the recent success of Exeter City Women. The college and club work together to create well-rounded young players.

“The new seated facility at the Exwick Sports Hub is yet another stride forward for the women’s game and a celebration of what a partnership like this can produce.”

If you want to be a part of the success of the Academy’s history, come and find out more at the next Exeter College open event. Register now.