Academy Life Skills programme nurturing players on and off the pitch
This month, Swansea City Academy has hosted several exciting, educational workshops ranging from the under-10 age groups to the under-21s as part of their education and life skills programme.
The education programme plays an integral part in the development of our players and is of paramount importance to Swansea City academy and players also have the opportunity to complete BTECS alongside coaching certifications with Uefa.
The education programme is designed to accommodate full-time and part-time models in conjunction with the EFL and PFA's League Football Education system. Part-time students do most of their learning in the school environment, with any learning impacted by their football replaced at the academy through the day release programme.
The lower age groups also have the chance to take on some extracurricular activities and learning after school, alongside their parents which includes sessions highlighting safeguarding, EDI and anti-bullying.
The players have been learning about important subjects such as equality, diversity and inclusion, mental health and insurance. In recent weeks, the under-nines and under-10s welcomed Head of EDI at the Welsh Rugby Union Lyndon Roberts to Landore Training Ground to deliver a workshop on the importance surrounding equality in sport before they headed out to train.
Meanwhile, scholars and staff have also taken part in workshops surrounding adapting healthy lifestyles, focusing on mindset, resilience and their future selves. In December, the academy welcomed Steve Sallis, author and CEO of Solutions Mindset and lifestyle coach, to talk with scholars regarding self-awareness and mindfulness.
But it’s not just players and staff who benefit from these sessions, parents of players also have the opportunity to get involved. The academy recently welcomed Gordon MacLelland from ‘Working with Parents in Sport’ to deliver a day of workshops providing unbiased information that understands the difficulties that organisations, parents, coaches and athletes face in today’s world, most specifically from a parents' point of view.
Meanwhile, the life skills programme also provides scholars with crucial advice and support regarding issues outside of their footballing bubble, such as insurance and financial stability.
Early January saw insurance specialist and former football agent Matt Seldon come to SA1 to speak to both the Under-18s and Under-21s' squads about insurance in all areas of life and advising the young players on home cover and financial interest.
Assistant head of education Andrew Chadwick said: "The Swans education programme has strengthened considerably since September.
"We firmly believe that our academy footballers should be given the chance to follow an educational pathway that inspires and motivates them, whilst also giving them the freedom to realise their academic potential.
"Since the Christmas break our BTEC pupils have explored the human body and how it responds to exercise, nutrition and mental stimulation; a subject they can relate to on a daily basis! Our A Level students have continued to work towards their coursework and exam deadlines, whilst two players have completed another half-term of vocational study in the fields of barbering and construction.
"All first year scholars are halfway through the UEFA C Licence and have used their newly honed skills to deliver sessions to the very youngest Swans, the pre-academy, who participated with typical enthusiasm.
"Education remains a priority at Swansea City. It stimulates discussion, gently nurtures early passions and allows our players to open doors to their future."