Coleg Gwent launches Football Excellence Programme in partnership with Cwmbran Celtic

Coleg Gwent is proud to announce the launch of its Football Excellence Programme in partnership with local football club Cwmbran Celtic. This exciting initiative is set to provide learners with opportunities to develop their football talents while gaining valuable life skills both on and off the pitch.

The inspiration for the Football Excellence Programme stems from Cwmbran Celtic’s hope to expand its presence in Torfaen, and Coleg Gwent’s commitment to enriching the lives of its learners. Together, they have created a programme that enables students to excel in football while receiving support in their education.

Cwmbran Celtic has been a pillar of Welsh football for nearly 100 years. Since its foundation in 1925, the club has evolved from humble beginnings into a team that competes at the Cymru South level with squads spanning all age groups and abilities. Known for its community spirit and dedication to grassroots football, the club’s values align perfectly with Coleg Gwent’s mission of “changing lives through learning”.

Jess Pike, Employer Engagement Advisor at Coleg Gwent, said: The Football Excellence Programme offers exciting opportunities for learners, whether they dream of playing professionally or want to improve their skills. Learners will benefit from playing on Cwmbran Celtic’s state-of-the-art pitch, accessing specialised equipment, like VEO technology to analyse their performance and coaching from Cwmbran Celtic’s expert coaches. Coaches will also attend college games to scout talent, providing opportunities for students to potentially join the club’s senior teams.”

Barrie Desmond, Chairperson at Cwmbran Celtic said: “Partnering with Coleg Gwent provides a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our ties with the local community while creating a clear pathway for young talent to progress to higher levels of football. We’re proud to be part of this initiative, which combines education and sport to develop well-rounded individuals.”

The Football Excellence Programme joins many other successful sporting initiatives at Coleg Gwent, such as the rugby and netball academies. Like these programmes, The Football Excellence Programme will be built into the college timetable, allowing students to access the sport alongside their studies.

Riley Williamson, Team Captain said: “What excites me most about the Cwmbran Celtic partnership is that there could be an opportunity to progress to play for Cwmbran Celtic. I am happy being selected as captain as it gives me a responsibility to be a leader on the pitch especially now that we have a younger squad, which creates a new challenge. This also makes being a leader more important.”

The long-term goal of this partnership is to raise the standard of football at Coleg Gwent and the wider Torfaen area. As the only dedicated football collaboration of its kind in the area, this programme is a significant step forward in providing learners with invaluable coaching experience, the potential to play at higher levels, and the possibility of pursuing professional football careers.

For more information, visit the Coleg Gwent website.