In August, Lowestoft Town FC teamed up with the country’s largest private training provider to help inspire young learners to future careers in sports, media and the public sector.

Teaming up with Access Sport (Access Creative College), the further education programme for learners aged 16-19 in Lowestoft is providing opportunities for learners to develop skills, knowledge and professional experiences to set them up for progression onto many exciting careers.

After Access Sport took over the reins of the Football Industry College programmes in Lowestoft and Norwich in August 2022, significant investment has been made into enhancing the opportunities for young learners - who either desire a career in sport or simply want to use their passion in further education to obtain transferable skills for employment.

Delivering sport education programmes across the country - including the Steven Gerrard Academy, Smiths Boxing Academy and a range of professional football and rugby club partnerships - Access Sport has brought to Lowestoft "great experience" in combining outstanding further education programmes, and sports development for all abilities.

Based at Barnards Soccer Centre, the programme - in partnership with Lowestoft Town FC - provides learners with the opportunity to not only combine further education with football development, but has learners who have adapted timetables to focus on individual sports such as swimming and boxing.

One example being current student William Ellard who combines his education with swimming for St Felix Swimming Club in Southwold.

Will's achievements have also seen him recently accepted onto the Swim England Diploma in Sporting Excellence Programme with a vision of competing for Team GB.

The BTEC sport qualifications offer the same opportunities as A-levels with many students progressing onto University, Apprenticeships, U.S Scholarships or direct employment.

Gaven Tipple, lead tutor of Access Sport, said: "Since taking over the programme, Access Sport has invested strongly into not only enhancing the learners' experience academically and athletically but provide them with the tools to create foundations to secure the next steps of their futures.

"Alongside obtaining their core qualification, I believe the industry, professional and personal development experiences learners receive as part of our programme provides them with unrivalled opportunities to build an enriched CV to help them stand out and support their future progression.

"These experiences have included the delivery of school football and SEN football tournaments to more than 300 learners - thanks to our partnership with North Suffolk SG and Suffolk FA along with officiating courses and Futsal delivery.

"This not only provides those focusing on a career in sports coaching or teaching great experiences, but truly develops transferable skills such as leadership, communication, diversity and confidence that can be taken into any future career."

Mr Tipple added: "Learners focusing on careers in sport science now have the great opportunity to get hands-on with VEO Camera game analysis and player GPS technology.

"They support our UEFA qualified coaches, delivering feedback and producing team and individual development plans.

"This technology is what is used within professional sports clubs and gives them a real headstart when progressing onto University and future careers in sports science."

With sports media students also gaining opportunities with Lowestoft Town FC, all students receive weekly professional development and life skill sessions to prepare for future employment and society.

This has included real life job interviews scenarios with prison officers and fire service.

Mr Tipple added: "On the pitch, our football programme has a development and elite squad to cater for all abilities and learners train every day around their education with weekly games on a Wednesday.

"Our elite squad - who are partnered with Lowestoft Town FC - have made history making it through to the second round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in history and are just one game away from potentially being in the draw alongside the big Premier League Teams.

"We have also had numerous players progress into Jamie Godbold's first team squad and have provided opportunities for trials with professional clubs such as Peterborough United and Ipswich Town FC.

"We have continued to have numerous Alumni success stories over the past couple of months with former students progressing on to a range of teaching, sports science and sports coaching degrees at Universities across the country.

"Two former students Buster and Fletcher, who secured American Scholarships, have recently won the Conference Championship with Bellevue Bruins (University).

"All while studying for a degree in Sports Management while experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of living in America.

"Closer to home, one of the programme's former Alumni - Cion Wren - has now done a complete circle having progressed onto University to study Sports Science and now returned as Access Sport tutor for Lowestoft and Norwich alongside his role as Strength and Conditioning Coach with Lowestoft Town FC."

With limited spaces available for September 2023, Mr Tipple added: "I would encourage anyone with an interest in sport and considering their further education options to come along to one of our upcoming information and experience events, meet the team, find out more about our range of courses and pathways onto future careers in sport."

The Access Sport programme in partnership with Lowestoft Town FC is currently holding regular recruitment events and open evenings for anyone in Year 11 who wishes to find out more about the further education programme or secure a place for September 2023.