Ivybridge footballers put through paces at Manchester United's training ground
Two-day training camp and tour gives College Academy players a taste of life as a Premiership player
Some of Devon's most promising young footballers have been given a taste of life as a Premiership Footballer after experiencing two days at Manchester United's Aon Training Complex and going behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
The trip, which was organised by Manchester United for 20 students from the Ivybridge Community College Football Academy, was designed to show the aspiring professionals what training at the highest level entails, to prepare them for the next stage in their development.
"It was an exceptional experience for everyone involved," said Wayne Carlisle, Director of Football at Ivybridge Community College. "We have some fantastic talent coming through our programme right now, so it was a unique opportunity for them to experience some of the world's best training facilities and to see just how tough it is to train and play at the top level."
The two-day trip included the chance to train alongside United's elite Academy Squad; visit the physical conditioning and medical facilities used by legends such as Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney; explore the first team dressing room; sit in the dugouts and the players' lounge; and receive complimentary tickets to watch Man United play.
"It really was an access-all-areas experience for the boys," added Wayne, "and something they will never forget. More importantly though, our students got the opportunity to train and benchmark themselves against players of their age, from the Manchester United Academy. It was very pleasing to see how well our boys worked and held their own in such a challenging environment.
"A lot of the training methods we saw are similar to the ones we use here at the Ivybridge Academy, with a strong focus on purposeful possession and skill-based games. We learned a great deal about the individual skill levels and physical condition required to function effectively at that level and have adjusted our programme to support our players more in these areas. On the whole, it is reassuring to know that we are training our young players in the same way as the world's best."
Ivybridge Community College became the first school in the UK outside of Manchester to set up a relationship with the Manchester United Academy in October 2013 and the set-up is clearly paying dividends already. Every age group from the College has made it through to the final 32 in the country in the ESFA National Cups, with the U14 squad progressing through to the last eight of the Elite Football Schools Cup.
"Key Academy staff, Brian McClair, Les Kershaw, and Tony Whelan were all there for our visit and were very complimentary on the quality of play and the manner in which our players conducted themselves for the two days," added Wayne. "Our link with Manchester United has really helped raise our players' aspirations and the hope is now that, with their support, more of our homegrown players will be able to step up another gear and reach the top flights of professional football."
PHOTOS
Ivybridge Community College's Football Academy players experience a training session with the Man United Academy.
-Ends-
Notes to editors
About Ivybridge Community College Football Academy
Ivybridge Community College Football Academy aims to offer the best young players in the South West a pathway into elite football by producing players that are intelligent, athletic and capable of executing whatever technique is required for whatever situation they find themselves in on the pitch.
To support the programme, the College has generated strong active links with professional football clubs and the University of St. Mark and St. John, which allows players to be exposed to the very latest technical, physical and psychological information, enabling them to enhance and maximise their performance levels.
The initial academy programme, which was set up in 2003 in conjunction with Plymouth Argyle, aimed to improve the development of football for young players in the Plymouth and South Hams areas. The vision was to create a Centre of Excellence for players who attended Ivybridge Community College to combine studies with football training during the academic day. Nine years later, the vision has evolved into a highly reputable and respected support network for all three of Devon's professional football clubs and a strong relationship with Manchester United. The aim is to become a recognised regional hub for football in the South West.
About Ivybridge Community College
Ivybridge Community College is a success-orientated establishment, which has always prided itself on supporting students to achieve to their highest potential.
It has an OFSTED rating of Outstanding for the last twenty years.
The College's goal is to motivate and challenge its students. Talented and dedicated staff, disciplined students, supportive parents and an enthusiastic Governing Body, all work for a common purpose - allowing students to flourish. Tertiary growth has been spectacular over the past ten years currently reaching over 600 students.
Press contact
For further information, photos, or to interview Wayne Carlisle contact Gill Taylor, Deputy Principal, on 01752 691000,icc@ivybridge.devon.sch.uk.