Male and Female Football Academies

Whether your ambition is to play, coach, or work within the sports industry, our Football Academies, which are in partnership with Leyton Orient Football Club, provide the opportunity to develop your skills both on and off the pitch.

Train like a professional

Our football academy courses enable students to train with professional football coaching staff from Leyton Orient FC several times each week and compete against other academies in the college football league.

Watch a video from Leyton Orient FC about the training programme.

Study a recognised qualification

Alongside academy training, you'll study either:

• Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development - Female
• Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development - Male
• Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development - Female
• Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development - Male

These qualifications are designed to develop coaching knowledge, sport science understanding, and practical sports skills.

These courses are open to students of all abilities, although previous playing experience will be beneficial. Students who compete in sport will be encouraged to represent the College in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions. Entry is subject to meeting the required GCSE criteria and successfully completing a trial. More information on entry requirements can be found on our course pages.

Outstanding facilities

ARU Writtle's 150-hectare campus offers excellent sporting facilities including:

• Football pitches
• Rugby pitches
• Netball and basketball courts
• Sports hall and gym
• Recreation and fitness centre
• Performance analysis equipment
• Health screening and fitness testing facilities
• Open countryside for cross-country running events
• Reservoir for water sports

Join an upcoming Taster Session

Passionate about football and currently in Year 10 or 11? We regularly run taster sessions during half terms to give prospective students a taste of our Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development Football Academy courses.

These sessions give you and your parents/carers the chance to find out more about the courses, meet our coaches, and experience a football training session first-hand.

Upcoming dates

To be confirmed.