South Devon College and TUFC strengthen partnership to create pathways into professional football
South Devon College and Torquay United Football Club (TUFC) have renewed their official ‘Youth and Education’ partnership, further cementing their shared commitment to providing high-quality education alongside elite football training for young people across Torbay.
The collaboration gives both male and female students access to a clear pathway into the professional game. It builds on the strong foundations of the College’s long-established boys’ programme, which has already seen a number of students step up to train with – and even feature for – Torquay United’s men’s first team already this season. Six of the College’s players, including Coby White and Fin Herbert, were involved in the recent Devon Bowl fixture at Brixham, with South Devon College also well-represented in United’s FA Youth Cup match at Plainmoor earlier this week.
This exposure to senior-level football has given players invaluable experience and highlighted just how far the College’s football pathway can take them.
Now, for the first time, female students at the College will benefit from a direct pathway too. The growing girls’ programme is linking up with TUFC Women, offering regular training opportunities, match experience at Plainmoor, and the chance to impress at the highest level.
Watching the England Lionesses defeat Spain on nail-biting penalties during the UEFA European Women’s Championship earlier this year was an inspirational moment for many and that, alongside the Red Roses’ recent victory at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, is bringing women’s sport to the forefront, and this partnership ensures that many girls will have the opportunity to hone their sporting skills to the max.
The partnership also gives TUFC’s first teams access to South Devon College’s excellent facilities, including a 3G pitch, sports science and nutrition labs, gym spaces and performance analysis rooms – making the College a vital hub for sporting development in the region.
Matt Burrows, Assistant Principal at South Devon College, said:
“This partnership is fantastic news for the local community. South Devon College always aims to work with key community partners to create the best opportunities for young people, and this collaboration with TUFC is a great example of that. We’ve already seen male students progress into the men’s first team set-up, and now our female students are benefitting from a similar pathway too.”
Torquay United Men’s Manager Paul Wotton added: “It’s great to be able to use South Devon College’s facilities – the 3G pitch means we can train in all weathers, and the analysis and sports science provision is excellent. Having students train with us during pre-season and beyond shows them a clear route into professional football, and it highlights to the local community what can be achieved.”
TUFC Women’s Manager Ryan Perks was equally enthusiastic.
“It’s vital for Torquay United Women that we have a successful pathway, so we have players coming through, and hopefully one day making it into the first team.”
Students at the College also spoke highly of the opportunities on offer.
Charlotte Shaw is studying Sports Coaching at the College. She said: “Training with Torquay United Women helps me develop as a player, gaining different skills to bring into the College team.”
Meanwhile, Fin Herbert, who is studying Sports Science said: “We have training in the morning three days a week, and Sports Science coaching alongside that. We have matches on Wednesday that can be anywhere in country, and the first-team players are great.
“They give us advice, and help us go down the right path.”
Daniel Gaze, Head of Sport at South Devon College, commented: “Our Academy football programme is designed so students can combine academic study with high-level training. They compete in College fixtures on Wednesdays and also benefit from strength and conditioning and analysis sessions. It’s as close to a professional environment as we can make it, and that’s reflected in the number of students who progress to higher levels of the game.”
With boys and girls alike now benefitting from direct pathways to professional football, this partnership is creating life-changing opportunities for young people across Torbay – and inspiring the next generation of players to follow their sporting ambitions.
