Elite Football Programme

Rossall School & Fleetwood Town’s

ELITE FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

Rossall School and Fleetwood Town Football Club have been in partnership delivering the Rossall Elite Football Programme since 2016. During those four years membership of the programme has grown from three players to over forty players; several have progressed to play for Under 18 International squads and one pupil was selected by his country to play in a world cup qualifier match. The programme offers pupils the opportunity to study at a leading independent school in the North whilst being immersed in the world of a professional league football team and club.

The very best international footballers from countries including: Ukraine, South Africa, Germany, Australia, Mexico and Malaysia travel to Rossall to avail of the unique opportunity to combine truly excellent coaching with an outstanding educational offering. It is this combination of rigour and challenge, on the field and in the classroom, that sets Rossall School’s Elite Football Programme apart.

The Partners

FLEETWOOD TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Fleetwood Town Football Club is a professional English Football League Club with an outstanding commitment to nurturing and developing young talent. In 2016, Manchester United’s former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, opened the £10 million state of the art training complex at nearby Poolfoot Farm. These fantastic training facilities are a tangible expression of the club’s ambition - both in terms of league performance but also with regards to the talented young players at the club.

Fleetwood Town is a phenomenal football success. The Club has been promoted no less that six times in recent years. They are a club on the rise, with exciting plans for the future both on and off the field. Premier League sensation, Jamie Vardy, of Leicester City and England, made his name in Fleetwood Town colours, attracting attention from one of the biggest clubs, eventually signing with Leicester for a record fee. The Club is confident that other young players will soon follow in his footsteps.

The Highbury Stadium is situated just 3km from Rossall School.

SCHOOL

Rossall School’s impressive one hundred and sixty acre campus is situated in the North West of England, on Lancashire’s picturesque coast.The School was founded in 1844 and has an impressive heritage. Alumni have made a profound impact in fields as diverse as sports, politics, literature and the performing arts. Although internationally-minded, Rossall has strong bonds with its local community and, in particular, Fleetwood Town Football Club.

The School offers excellent modern facilities complemented by a commitment to achieving academic excellence through the provision of outstanding teaching and learning. Dedicated professional staff deliver a rich and varied curriculum that challenges and inspires in equal measure.

In 2020, over 50% of all A Level grades awarded were A*/A.With an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme average of 34, Rossall School offers exceptional teaching and learning within a boarding community that is aspirant, nurturing and tailored to meet the needs of each individual pupil.

Over 60% of our students progress to Russell Group/Top 20 universities in the UK. An increasing number leave us to pursue careers in sports. This year, a number of students achieved 100% sports scholarships to leading universities in the United States. Rossall School’s commitment to sporting excellence transcends football. In 2019, we were ranked number one in the UK for golf and in 2020, we reached the quarterfinals of two national hockey competitions.

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

Pupils in Year 9 to Year 13 (14 to 19 years of age) are eligible for acceptance on to the programme. Pupil participation in the programme is a minimum of one year. However, we do encourage membership to be no fewer than two years, so that pupils have the opportunity to complete a formal academic qualification. Rossall School offers courses in English as an Additional Language, (I)GCSES, A Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, and BTECs in Sport Level 3 and Business Studies.Consequently we are able to put together personalised programmes of study suited to meet the needs of the individual.

THE FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

Whether you have already played in an academy, with aspirations to play professionally, or simply wish to develop your footballing ability, the programme is designed to develop players so that they can fulfil their potential. There are plenty of opportunities to progress at various levels within the sport.

Players can progress onto this programme if Fleetwood Town Academy staff are satisfied that their ability and skills are right for this level of football.

Rossall has both a Junior (Years 9-10 [Ages 14-15]) and Senior (Years 1113 [Ages 15-19]) programme. The Junior programme has three training sessions a week and the Senior programme includes six.

Rossall also has a Pre Junior Elite Programme (Years 7-8 [Ages 1113]). Pupils in this age group can enjoy first class football training and support with our Director of Football, a football activity each week, nutrition and performance support as well as play with the Fleetwood Junior team.

Pupils will follow Fleetwood Town’s own academy programme for a full school year with their time divided between Rossall School and Fleetwood Town’s Poolfoot Farm Complex.

All players on the programme will follow the FTFC club ethos which aims to ‘educate, develop and produce creative and dynamic players who are physically, technically and tactically astute’. Individual development will be regularly monitored & discussed with club scouts, the academy, and coaches. Individual learning programs and weekly player evaluations are put in place to ensure training is tailored to every player’s needs, and targets are set and reviewed regularly.

Training ProgrammeSAMPLE

DAY SQUAD SESSION TYPE TIME LOCATION

Senior Boys Squad Training

18:00 - 19:30 Poolfoot Farm

MONDAY

Senior Girls Squad Training 16:30 - 17:45 Rossall School

Junior Strength and Conditioning 16:40 - 17:30 Rossall School

Senior Boys Strength and Conditioning 06:30 - 07:30 Rossall School

TUESDAY

Senior Girls Strength and Conditioning 16:30 - 17:30 Rossall School

Junior Squad Training 17:00 - 18:00 Poolfoot Farm

Senior Boys Squad Training 15:00 - 16:30 Poolfoot Farm

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Senior Girls Squad Training 15:00 - 16:30 Poolfoot Farm

Junior Off

Senior Boys Strength and Conditioning, and Squad Training 06:30 - 07:30 16:00 - 17:30 Rossall School

Senior Girls Squad Training 17:30 - 21:00 Poolfoot Farm

Junior Off

Senior Boys ILP Session 16:30 - 17:30 Rossall School

FRIDAY

Senior Girls ILP Session, and Strength and Conditioning 12:00 - 12:45 16:30 - 17:30 Rossall School

Junior Squad Training 16:30 - 17:30 Rossall School

Senior Boys IPL / School Fixture / Training

Various Rossall School

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Senior Girls School Fixture / Training

Junior School Fixture / Training

Senior Boys Fixtures / Rest Day

Various Rossall School

Various Rossall School

Various Various Senior Girls Fixtures / Rest Day Various Various Junior Fixtures / Rest Day Various Various

The Elite Football Programme FOR GIRLS

The rapid ascent of women’s football has led to a surge of interest in the game at grassroots level. This interest is perhaps best reflected in the attendance and viewing figures at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Women’s football has, quite rightly, assumed centre stage and Rossall School intends to be at the forefront of the drive to ensure equality of opportunity for girls who seek to play professionally or work within the sports industry. Trailblazers like Millie Bright (England and Chelsea) and Steph Houghton (England and Manchester City) have inspired a generation of talented girls eager to emulate their success.

Rossall School’s Elite Football Programme for Girls is the first of its kind in the country. This is a programme which offers more than high-quality coaching and exceptional facilities. It is equal to the boys’ programme and includes all the same aspects of the coaching, sports science, fixtures and enrichment provision. The girls’ game has an exciting future and there is an opportunity to model a culture which is empowering and engenders those characteristics likely to support future success, such as: resilience, intellectual agility, self belief and confidence.The Elite Football Programme for Girls is delivered within a holistic context that is dedicated to producing well-rounded young people as well as fostering sporting excellence.

To coincide with the September 2021 launch of the Elite Football Programme for Girls there will be a number of (up to 100%) scholarships and means-tested bursaries available. We are committed to attracting the brightest footballing prospects to Rossall; we wish to ensure that we are the destination of choice for all aspirant young footballers who want to combine world-class coaching with all the benefits of boarding life at a leading UK independent school. The girls within this programme will have the opportunity to play with the full Fleetwood Town Academy teams including the Wrens, and against many of the leading youth teams in the North of England.

REBECCA HEBBEL FORMER PUPIL

MUNICH

“British football is so much more physical. You have to be more physically involved and it has been so great for me to experience this within the Rossall School Elite Football Programme. I am so small, but I had to just get stuck in and play. It has been a great experience all round. Everything has been so much better than expected.

Finally, my advice to a girl who loves football is never give up – always keep going; even if you fail, pick yourself up and carry on. Never give up.”

We aim to educate, develop and produce creative and dynamic players who are physically, technically and tactically astute

A comprehensive strength and conditioning programme is followed throughout the year, with each pupil provided with a tailor-made programme. Fleetwood Town’s sports scientists use the latest technology to continuously evaluate performance and assess levels of fitness.

A chartered physiotherapist is available throughout the school year, and pupils are provided with detailed advice regarding nutrition, lifestyle and physical well-being.

Rossall School also has a dedicated physiotherapy area for pupils who require support with their development and wellbeing. Expert rehabilitation and treatment for all of our athletes is paramount for us to ensure that they all receive the right care in order to limit their time spent injured and help to aid their short and long-term recovery from injury. As a result of this, Rossall School has invested in a specialist Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre which will allow our specialist Physiotherapy and Sports Science staff to effectively treat and provide rehabilitation programmes for all players, in order they remain in optimum physical condition.

FIXTURES / GAMES PROGRAMME

The Elite Football Programme provides opportunities to compete both for Rossall School and Fleetwood Town in various competitions and different formats of the game including futsal. This ensures that all pupils get maximum exposure in competitive match situations.

ENRICHMENT

This is a football programme which is about more than what happens on the field. There are opportunities to gain valuable work experience within the context of a busy and successful EFL club. Membership of the programme brings with it access to the heads of department, including the 1st Head Coach, Technical Director and Chief Executive. This provides pupils with the opportunity to grow in their understanding of how a professional football club operates and immerse themselves in the world of media relations, business, recruitment and sports science.

Members of the Elite Football Programme are encouraged to work towards coaching qualifications and participate in leadership programmes.

The players receive a full Fleetwood Town training kit and a free season ticket for all of Fleetwood Town’s home matches.

Those on the programme have the opportunity to experience the true culture of the game in the football-mad North West of England. A region which is home to Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton.

Lancashire itself is also home to the following professional league clubs: Morecambe, Accrington Stanley, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Fleetwood Town, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley.

Other very local clubs include Tranmere Rovers and Oldham Athletic. It really is a footballers’ paradise.

FACILITIES AND BENEFITS ...

POOLFOOT FARM FACILITIES

• 7 top class grass pitches at Poolfoot.

• 2 FIFA 2 star grade (the highest grade possible)

• 4 FTFC red 5-a-side pitches.

• 10 changing room facilities including showers.

• Club meeting rooms (Regular individual/team meetings to be held here).

• FTFC classrooms. Multi-use for: Analysis sessions, nutrition lessons, upcoming fixture preparation and much more.

• Rossall School’s brand new, state-of-the-art sports centre.

BENEFITS

• Opportunity to train at one of the leading sport complexes in the North West of England, Fleetwood Town’s £10 million Poolfoot Farm Complex.

• Full time training programme working with FTFC UEFA licensed coaches, dedicated to enhancing and developing every aspect of your game both on and off the pitch.

• Showcase your ability in front of FTFC recruitment team and coaches on a daily basis.

• Player development reporting system, working on individual learning objectives to aid and enhance performance.

• Be part of the Fleetwood Town FC family and journey.

• Full Fleetwood Town FC kit package.

• First class education in academics and football.

• Chartered physiotherapy.

• Links and pathways to FTFC partner clubs, both in the UK and overseas.

“All my life I have wanted to play football with others who love and enjoy the beautiful game as much as I do. Coming to Rossall from America and joining the program has met and exceeded my expectations in every way. Since I have been here

I feel like I have found a home and made lifelong friends that are becoming brothers. The coaching has been world class. The bonding off the pitch with the high intensity and work ethic on the pitch has created strong ties between me and my teammates.”

LUCAS ELLET GCSE PUPIL, YEAR 11 USA

“I play for Bayern Munich and British football is so much more physical.You have to be more physically involved and this has been so great for me to experience this within the Elite Football Programme. It has been a great experience all round. Everything has been so much better than expected.”

REBECCA HEBBEL FORMER PUPIL GERMANY

“The Football Programme here at Rossall School has immensely improved my skills as a young and aspiring footballer. I have been able to improve through the high level of coaching which I receive daily from Fleetwood Town coaches. Furthermore, through my high level of performance this past year, I have managed to attract interest from various different places and even had the opportunity to train with the U18 Israeli National Team. With the help of the football programme, I am looking forward to continuing my development this year and hopefully advancing into professional football.”

OHAD HAVIV BUCK IB PUPIL, YEAR 13 ISRAEL / THAILAND

“Being in the football program has developed my skills and understanding of football to a much greater extent. It has given me the opportunity to showcase my skill and knowledge of the game throughout the season last year and will let me showcase my skill this year infront of high level coaches and scouts. The program is demanding however it is realistic to what a professional player would go through at a professional club for example waking up at 6:30 in the morning to do a session. The coaches are great and have a very good level of skill and understanding of the sport. They are very open and I feel I can ask them anything. It only keeps getting better.”

DAVID JONES BARROSO A LEVEL PUPIL, YEAR 13 SPAIN

“I was in the football program for two years whilst I studied the International Baccalaureate. The programme has helped me not just with football but with life generally. This is because I received a good training plan and the coaches take care of you, support you with what you do and how you do it, including nutrition. Relaxation is also important for many athletes like me, who are living for football and generally players don’t want to hear anything about relaxation; they think you have to be training and working hard all of the time. I was one of those people, but the coaches made sure that you get enough time on the pitch and off the pitch (for school).You get to know a lot of new people from other countries of the world and get to understand many different kinds of football played. Through the football program I made a lot of new friends, many of whom I am still in contact with even though we live in two different countries.”

YULE MOTAMED-AMINI FORMER PUPIL GERMANY