Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Football Performance & Coaching (Havant&Waterlooville FC Academy)

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

two students playing football

Availability & Details

Performance and Excellence (Football Academy) - Level 3 Extended Diploma SF1-SPEX3E/C01

Venue
South Downs Campus

Type of study
Vocational

Dates
Academic Year 2024-25 (2 years)

Examination board
Pearson Education Ltd (Formerly EDEXCEL)

Apply Now

How to apply

Contact us


Overview

The primary focus is to help you progress to employment as a coach or professional player. You will develop the ability to work independently and have the skills and expertise to coach a number of sports for both children and adults. The course is equivalent to three A Levels and it also attracts UCAS Tariff Points and is recognised by universities as meeting the entry requirements for courses such as BA (Hons) in Sports Coaching and Development and BA (Hons) in Sports Management. Our partnership with Havant & Waterlooville FC enables our first team to play in the Conference Youth Alliance and enter the FA Youth Cup and Hampshire Floodlit Cup, whilst our other teams play in the Hampshire Colleges leagues and cup competitions. The Academy is based onsite and we have our very state-of-the-art 4G pitch which you will use for both training and matches on a daily basis. The course would suit you if you have a high interest in football and are thinking about going into coaching or teaching. Due to the scientific/fitness nature of the course, there would also be opportunities for you to progress into sports rehabilitation and personal training.

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics. A football trial must also be carried out by applicants.

On this course you will study:Year 1 Units:• Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry• Health, Wellbeing and Sport• Developing Coaching Skills• Sport Development• Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity• Anatomy and Physiology in SportYear 2 Units:• Applied Coaching Skills• Research Project in Sport• Nutrition for Physical Performance• Sporting Injuries• Functional Sports Massage• Fitness Training

You will be provided with an excellent opportunity to analyse and focus on your game management and awareness. We have the 7.5m SportMast to record games and the telescopic camera provides a great basis for sports analysis. All first-team squad players are assigned a PlayerTek GPS vest for the season. The PlayerTek software provides insights into performance with a range of powerful features, including heat maps, heart rate zones and sprint maps. Every student on the Football Performance and Coaching Pathway will be assigned to one of four HSDC Squads and will play home and away fixtures on a Wednesday afternoon. Our partnership with Havant & Waterlooville FC enables our first team to play in the Conference Youth Alliance and enter the FA Youth Cup and Hampshire Floodlit Cup, whilst our other teams play in the Hampshire Colleges leagues and cup competitions. Our Academy is based onsite and we have our very own state-of-the-art 4G pitch which we use for both training (four hours a week) and matches daily. The course has a heavy academic element and you will need to be prepared to balance the football curriculum alongside the classroom assessments and learning. You will also have the opportunity to visit a number of local universities to support your academic study and progression. You are likely to be offered a number of enrichment options throughout your time at HSDC. Our students have benefitted from trips to Chelsea FC to watch Development and Youth training and to St Georges Park for an England Training experience.

BTEC assessments are predominantly completed as coursework but can be tailored specifically to meet learners’ needs or the demands of the unit. For example, some assessments require a practical approach, where you may complete tests or be asked to deliver coaching sessions. Many essay-style assessments require that you summarise your learning from a particular topic, whilst using case studies or research to enhance your work. All BTEC Nationals provide transferable knowledge and skills that will prepare you for progression into university. The transferable skills that universities value include the ability to learn independently, to research actively and methodically, to give presentations and to be an active group member.

BTEC Nationals are widely recognised by industry and Higher Education as the signature Vocational qualification at Level 3. They provide progression to the workplace either directly or via study at a higher level. Proof comes from YouGov research, which shows that 62 per cent of large companies have recruited employees with BTEC qualifications. What’s more, well over 100,000 BTEC students apply to UK universities every year and their BTEC Nationals are accepted by over 150 UK universities and higher education institutes. Previous Academy students have progressed onto university to study sports therapy, sport management, sport coaching, media and sports journalism, physical education and football business and marketing. Alongside the opportunity to continue your study both at home and on an international basis, you have the opportunity to explore Apprenticeship and coaching opportunities. We have recently developed strong links to CM Sports and a number of students enjoy the option of progressing into a work-based environment rather than Higher Education study.


My time at the college was definitely life changing, I have learnt a lot of new skills, and obviously it’s a completely new experience. The support was great, there was always people there to help and try make it as easy as they can for you. The college is really fantastic, it has helped me on the way to get to what I want to achieve within my career goals.

Erin Morgan, BTEC student

I would say it’s a college that really balances academia with fun, there is lots of extra-curricular stuff that you can get involved in. It has a really good work/life balance.

Laura Hagedorn, A Level student

The teaching and support was really great, the quality was really great, all the teachers really care about your education as well as your wellbeing, they take everything into consideration and they’re great.

Katie Whittingham, A Level student