February 16, 2017
The Guernsey College Football Academy (GCFA) has received a welcome boost from its shirt and team sponsor, First Central Group, which has committed to supporting the Academy for a further three years.
In addition to the team’s kits, the company's ongoing sponsorship will help support the overall running costs of the Academy, enabling the students to continue their training and development, which includes trips off-island to compete.
Guernsey College Football Academy Director and GFC Manager, Tony Vance, said: “We’re naturally delighted that First Central Group has agreed to support us once again by committing to a further three years as our playing kit sponsor. the company's generous backing of the College Academy has to date encouraged, supported and helped develop over 70 students, many of whom might not have remained in education, had the programme not been available.
“On top of that, these students have had the unique opportunity to play off-island against UK college academies, many of whom enjoy links to professional football clubs. Securing the backing of First Central Group will undoubtedly allow even more students to embrace this unrivalled programme.”
The Academy was introduced four years ago to encourage aspiring footballers to continue their studies and now supports 20 students.
Run in partnership with the Guernsey College of Further Education, it enables students to develop their footballing skills and combine academic studies with player development, helping them to progress towards their sporting and career aspirations. Students learn and develop by undertaking BTEC qualifications from Levels 1-3 and, through collaboration with the GFA, undertake sessions and fixtures overseen by professionally qualified coaches and trainers.
First Central Group's Chairman and CEO, Mike Leonard, said: “We’re proud to be continuing our support for the GCFA for a further three years. At First Central Group it’s our aim to support and enhance the communities in which we do business, so it’s great to be able to support an initiative that enables young people to continue their football training and development, and helps teenagers continue with their education.”
In addition to the team’s kits, the company's ongoing sponsorship will help support the overall running costs of the Academy, enabling the students to continue their training and development, which includes trips off-island to compete.
Guernsey College Football Academy Director and GFC Manager, Tony Vance, said: “We’re naturally delighted that First Central Group has agreed to support us once again by committing to a further three years as our playing kit sponsor. the company's generous backing of the College Academy has to date encouraged, supported and helped develop over 70 students, many of whom might not have remained in education, had the programme not been available.
“On top of that, these students have had the unique opportunity to play off-island against UK college academies, many of whom enjoy links to professional football clubs. Securing the backing of First Central Group will undoubtedly allow even more students to embrace this unrivalled programme.”
The Academy was introduced four years ago to encourage aspiring footballers to continue their studies and now supports 20 students.
Run in partnership with the Guernsey College of Further Education, it enables students to develop their footballing skills and combine academic studies with player development, helping them to progress towards their sporting and career aspirations. Students learn and develop by undertaking BTEC qualifications from Levels 1-3 and, through collaboration with the GFA, undertake sessions and fixtures overseen by professionally qualified coaches and trainers.
First Central Group's Chairman and CEO, Mike Leonard, said: “We’re proud to be continuing our support for the GCFA for a further three years. At First Central Group it’s our aim to support and enhance the communities in which we do business, so it’s great to be able to support an initiative that enables young people to continue their football training and development, and helps teenagers continue with their education.”