Impington International College kicks off another two-year partnership with Norwich City Football Club Regional Development Programme

Impington International College (IIC) has renewed its two-year contract with Norwich City Football Club Regional Development Programme (NCFCRDP) to provide its post-16 Football and Education Scholarship programme, which enables any student to combine their academic studies with specialist football coaching. Impington International College is just one of four providers across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Students undertaking the Scholarship will study the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP) and will also benefit from six hours of specialist coaching and training every week, delivered by UEFA and FA qualified coaches, to help them to develop their technical and tactical knowledge. The physical training aims to enhance players endurance, speed, agility, and strength. The programme also gives students the opportunity to represent Norwich City FC RDP, with male students taking part in the National Alliance Youth League, English College League and Cup competitions and female students in the English College League as well.

Victoria Hearn, Principal, Impington International College, said: “I am delighted to continue our partnership with Norwich City FC Regional Development Programme. The Education and Football Scholarship programme means that our students can gain a highly regarded international education while they pursue their passion for football. As a result of the scholarship programme, many of our students have gone on to study at Russell Group and internationally leading universities, including in the USA. I am looking forward to welcoming our next cohort of football scholars to the College in September!”

The Football and Education Scholarship programme offers students the opportunity to explore a variety of different post-18 pathways, including university, football scholarships in the USA, semi-professional footballer positions, apprenticeships, and employment. Alumni have gone on to study Accounting, Business, and other subjects at university.

Participating students also have the opportunity join the Junior Coaching Programme in Year 12, which involves completing 30 hours of coaching. At the end of the course, junior coaches will gain a FA Level 1 coaching qualification alongside practical experience.

Alex Kaufman, Managing Director, NCFCRDP, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our ongoing partnership with Impington International College, which has grown from strength to strength since its introduction in September 2020. Our delivery team have developed a fantastic working relationship with the college, and between them, have created an outstanding environment to study and play football.

“We are really looking forward to developing with Impington International College in the next two years, with further opportunities and experiences off the pitch to compliment the success stories and progression routes already provided for the students enrolled on the Scholarship”.

Clive Taylor, Boys Elite Football Development Officer and IIC Coordinator, NCFCRDP, said: “As our second season at IIC draws to a close, it's been fantastic to sit back and reflect on how far the Programme has come in such a short space of time.

“We currently have 47 players across our three teams; the first team enjoyed their first season in the U19 National League Alliance where they finished third, losing only one game from 1 December onward. Our second team has grown as the season progressed, enjoying some excellent wins in a very competitive league and our Female team continue to go from strength to strength with their hard work on the training pitch rewarded with some excellent results towards the tail end of the season.”

The Scholarship is accessible to all students who can apply to attend a showcase event, where they will be assessed before the term.

To find out more about the Football and Education Scholarship programme at the College, visit: https://www.impingtoninternational.org.uk/scholarships/