For 2024-25 Sigma Sixth Football Academy will be working in partnership with Colchester United Community Foundation to deliver a male Football Academy programme where players will be training full time with CUCF staff, studying for BTEC and A levels at the college whilst competing as Colchester United in the EFL Community and Football Alliance league and cup competitions. This is in addition to the existing partnership which already delivers a female football academy.
Kieran Michaels, Post 16 Programme Lead at CUCF Shared; “We’re excited to announce this partnership with SIGMA Sixth Form. This partnership will support our football pathway locally for Post 16 students to support their educational and football development within a high-quality learning and competitive environment. SIGMA Sixth Form share our values in developing young people as footballers, students and members of our community and we’re thrilled to provide players with enrichment opportunities to enhance their education and football development.”
Our partnership will consist of:
- A fulltime holistic weekly training programme with CUCF Staff
- Competition within the EFL Community & Education Alliance League, only available to enter if associated to a EFL professional club CommunityFoundation.
- Clear pathway from our Boys Development Centre, currently operating within the U6-U16 age groups consisting of X350 players each season.
- Opportunities for students to volunteer with CUCF and gain work experiences opportunities at the club
- Opportunities for players within the programme to gain employment within CUCF
- Opportunities for players at required standard to be recommended to a CUFC U18’s or U21’s trial.
- CUFC 1st team player engagement to enrich the player experience and share their sporting journeys.
Head of the Sports Academy, Jon Taylor said “We are delighted to be further developing our partnership with Colchester United Community Foundation to build on the successes of our established football academy programme. We have been working in partnership for the last 2 years on our female football academy programme, so the next phase in our development makes perfect and logical sense to expand the partnership to include our male football academy programme. This partnership aligns with our vision in developing a community where everyone feels they belong and are the best they can be, and it is great to be working with our local professional football club to further enhance our community cohesion and promote the city of Colchester.”
