Laurus Ryecroft and Manchester City Football Club have today announced the launch of the Academic Football Pathway that will deliver high-quality coaching to Sixth Form students.
From September 2025, Sixth Form students will get the opportunity to join our post-16 football programme which will consist of training sessions and competitive matches led by Manchester City coaches, strength and conditioning sessions and regular fitness testing, students will also partake in analytical sessions to review their performance, increase execution and build a portfolio for universities and or football clubs.
Supported by Andrew Law, the Academic Football Pathway will see Sixth Form students coached in City’s world-renowned playing style that has achieved global success and will provide unique opportunities for personal athletic development.
Andrew Law, sponsor of the Laurus Trust said:
‘As a passionate and lifelong Manchester City supporter, I’m delighted to champion this thrilling initiative. Such a program is unprecedented in the realm of state education. I personally believe that students can excel both in the classroom and on the sports pitch. The Academic Football Pathway is the perfect program to support this vision. We want to collectively show what is possible’.
Launching in September 2025. the new programme will see Laurus Ryecroft students participate in two weekly training sessions led by Manchester City coaches, along with game analysis classes and regular fixture support during the football season.
The programme also provides students with the opportunity to train at the City Football Academy and will allow a select number of students the option to enrol City Football Leadership Institute courses.
Commenting on the partnership, Jorgina Busquets, Managing Director – Football Education, Recreation & Partner Clubs for City Football Group, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Laurus Ryecroft Sixth Form to bring our leading football programme to their students. Laurus Ryecroft shares our commitment to education and the role sport plays in holistic development and we look forward to supporting their students in both academic and athletic growth.
This collaboration highlights the power of sport in education and preparing students for a successful future both on and off the field.”
Ms Bridge, Director of Laurus Ryecroft Sixth Form expressed her gratitude to the City Group and Andrew Law:
“We are excited to finally be able to offer young people a model of football education that does not force students to choose between their sporting passion and an academic set of qualifications. Students should be able to have both… and now they can. We are grateful to Manchester City for recognising this social injustice and agreeing to work in partnership with a Manchester-based Sixth Form to combat it.”
Year 11 students can book their place at our Academic Football Pathway Open Evening on Thursday 9th January from 6:00-7:00pm.