Done deal: Orient and Writtle sign new contract
Students to benefit from partnership with League One club for further two years
Writtle College and professional football club Leyton Orient have extended their partnership for a further two years, teaming up to deliver quality sports education and high-level training opportunities for students.
The collaboration with the League One side underpins Writtle College’s Football Academy, a programme that combines academic study with professional-level football development.
Designed for students enrolled on the BTEC Level 3 Foundation and Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development, the Academy provides a combination of classroom learning, practical experience, and high-performance training.
Students benefit from three training sessions a week led by UEFA-licensed coaches from Leyton Orient. These sessions expose learners to the standards and expectations of the professional game, helping them to develop both technically and tactically.
Alongside their training, students take part in regular fixtures against other college academies, ensuring they gain valuable competitive experience.
The continued link with The O’s gives students the inside track on the professional football environment while supporting their personal and academic progression. The programme is structured to develop well-rounded individuals, equipping them with the skills needed not just in football, but careers across the sports industry.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Leyton Orient for a further two years. This collaboration continues to play a vital role in enhancing our sports provision and student experience.
“By maintaining close ties with a professional club, Writtle College ensures its students are not only learning the theory of sports coaching and development but also applying their knowledge in a real-world, high-performance environment.”
Principal of Writtle College, Philip Grant
"The club is delighted to continue its partnership with Writtle College and we thank the senior team and trustees for their continued support.
"The College programme has been very successful over the past few years and we will be working hard with our colleagues at Writtle to improve it further and build on the foundations we have already laid. We also plan to use our partnership with Writtle to further build our fanbase and community outreach in this part of Essex."
Leyton Orient CEO Mark DevlinThe Football Academy is available to both male and female students and continues to play a key role in attracting aspiring athletes from across the region. For more information about the Football Academy and sports courses at Writtle College, which is part of Anglia Ruskin University, visit https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/college-courses