The sports education programmes demonstrate strong educational impact, with learners achieving positive outcomes through a model that combines football, structured teaching, pastoral support, clear expectations and progression planning.
A key headline outcome is the programme's 100% achievement rate for learners completing Guided Learning Hours (GLH). This indicates that students who remain engaged and complete their programme hours are successfully achieving their qualifications. In practical terms, this shows that the football education model is not only retaining learners, but also supporting them through to successful completion.
This is particularly important given the learner profile. Many students enter the programme from backgrounds where education may not previously have felt accessible, relevant or stable. The report evidence identifies learners from areas of local economic deprivation, students receiving bursary support, learners with low prior attainment in English and Maths, and young people with identified learning difficulties. Within that context, the achievement rate becomes more than a headline figure. It demonstrates that the programme is able to convert engagement into measurable educational success.
The programme's education model is built around using football as the initial engagement tool, while placing qualification achievement, attendance, behaviour, confidence and future planning at the centre of delivery. Students are supported through a combination of curriculum alignment, safeguarding, pastoral care, learner support and progression planning. This creates a structured environment where young people are more likely to stay connected to education, complete their studies and move forward with clearer options.
The wider retention data strengthens this picture. The tender evidence shows a three-year retention improvement from 96.2% to 100%, alongside 100% retention for enrolled learners. When read alongside the 100% achievement figure for learners completing GLH, this suggests a robust education model with strong learner engagement, high completion value and clear qualification outcomes.
The programme therefore provides evidence of a successful sports education pathway. It supports students to remain in education, achieve their qualifications and progress into university, scholarships, employment, coaching, sport science, personal training, media, analysis and wider sport industry routes. The pass-rate evidence should be presented not simply as a statistic, but as proof that the programme is able to use sport as a serious educational mechanism: football opens the door, but education gives the pathway substance.
Summary Statement
The sports education programmes shows a strong pass-rate profile, with 100% achievement for learners completing GLH. This outcome is supported by high retention, structured learner support and clear progression planning, demonstrating that the programme does more than engage students through football. It helps them stay in education, complete qualifications and move forward into meaningful next steps.
Headline Evidence
- Education pass rate / achievement: 100% achievement for learners completing GLH
- Retention: 96.2% to 100% three-year retention growth
- Enrolled learner retention: 100% retention for enrolled learners
- Progression: Learners progress into employment, higher education, scholarships, football, coaching and wider sport industry pathways
This report outlines the progression of a former sports education student who has developed through the full pathway from learner, to player, to coach, to full-time member of staff, and now into an international coaching role in Canada.
The individual was educated at one of our West Sussex sites, where he combined his academic studies with a structured football development programme. During this period, he demonstrated clear commitment to both his education and his playing pathway, making his non-league debut at the age of 16. This early playing experience reflected his maturity, discipline and ability to perform within a senior football environment while still completing his studies.
Academically, he successfully completed his course with distinction-level criteria, showing that the programme supported both sporting development and educational achievement. His success was not limited to football performance; he was able to meet high academic standards and use the programme as a foundation for further study and professional development.
Following his time as a student, he remained connected to the organisation and began coaching part-time while completing his undergraduate degree under the guidance of director, Dr Danny Lee. This transition from learner to staff member was significant. It showed that he had developed the personal qualities, technical understanding and professional standards required to support younger students within the same type of environment that had supported him. Throughout this period, we continued to support his development, giving him opportunities to gain experience, build confidence and apply his growing knowledge in a live coaching and education setting.
He then progressed further academically, completing a master's degree in strength and conditioning under the guidance of director, Lee Cole. Again, the organisation supported him through this stage of his development with employment, recognising his ambition to deepen his expertise and strengthen his professional profile within sport. This combination of academic progression, coaching experience and applied practice helped shape him into a well-rounded practitioner with knowledge across football, performance, physical preparation and player development.
After completing his higher education journey, he worked with us full-time for two years as a coach. During this period, he became an important member of staff, contributing to the delivery of the football and education programme while also acting as a role model for current students. His own journey gave him credibility with learners because he understood the pathway from direct experience. He had been a student in the programme, had progressed through education, had played senior football, and had returned to help others develop.
His progression continued when he became Head of Football for a year, and took a teaching pathway. This dual role marked a further step into leadership and demonstrated the trust placed in him to manage, organise and influence football provision at a higher level. It also showed the programme's ability to develop not only participants, but future staff, leaders and professionals within the wider sports industry.
He has since moved to Canada to continue his coaching career, accessing an international network that we introduced him to through our partner club, ANB Futbol in Toronto. This final stage of the journey demonstrates the wider reach of the programme and the value of long-term partnership work. Through education, employment, mentoring and international links, he has been able to build a pathway that now extends beyond the UK and into the global football environment.
His story provides a powerful example of what the sports education model can achieve. It shows that the programme does not simply deliver qualifications or football sessions in isolation. It creates a pathway where a young person can enter as a student, achieve academically, develop as a player, progress into higher education, return as a coach, move into full-time employment, take on leadership responsibility and then access international opportunities.
This case study demonstrates the long-term impact of combining education, football, mentoring and professional networks. It is evidence of a complete progression pathway: from student to employee, from employee to leader, and from local provision to international coaching.
Summary Statement
This progression story demonstrates the strength of our long-term sports education pathway. The individual entered the programme as a student, achieved academically, developed as a footballer, progressed into higher education, returned as a coach, became a full-time employee, moved into leadership, and has now taken his career internationally through our partner network in Canada. His journey is a clear example of how football education can create lasting outcomes in learning, employment, leadership and global opportunity.
Key Impact Points
- Educated at one of our West Sussex sports education sites
- Made his non-league debut at 16
- Passed his course with distinction-level criteria
- Progressed into undergraduate study while coaching part-time with us
- Completed a master's degree in strength and conditioning
- Completed teaching qualifications
- Worked full-time with the organisation for two years
- Became Head of Football for one year
- Moved to Canada to coach through a network introduced to him through NGP
Training at one of Europe's leading academies, exploring a new culture and competing overseas made NGPFA's latest international tour an experience the players will never forget.
For the players taking part in NGPFA's recent tour to PSV Eindhoven, the experience began long before they stepped onto the training pitch.
Travelling together by coach, the group crossed the Channel by ferry before continuing through France and Belgium towards the Netherlands. For several of the young players, it was their first time travelling abroad. For others, it was their first opportunity to experience life beyond their local community.
The journey became part of the adventure. New countries, unfamiliar surroundings and hours spent travelling together helped bring the group closer, strengthening friendships and creating a genuine sense of excitement about what awaited them in Eindhoven.
A warm welcome to the Netherlands
After arriving at the team hotel, the players settled into their rooms and began adjusting to life together as a travelling squad.
Away from their normal routines, they were required to show greater independence, maturity and responsibility. Sharing the experience with teammates helped build relationships across the college programme and created a stronger sense of unity within the group.
There was also time to explore Eindhoven and experience Dutch culture away from football. For the players, this was an important reminder that international tours are about more than performances and results. They are opportunities to discover new places, meet different people and develop a broader understanding of the world.
Inside the home of PSV Eindhoven
One of the standout moments of the tour was a visit to PSV Eindhoven's iconic stadium.
The guided tour took the group behind the scenes of one of the Netherlands' most successful football clubs, offering an insight into PSV's history, identity and professional environment.
Walking through the stadium allowed the players to see the scale of an elite European club at close quarters. It gave them a clearer understanding of the standards, preparation and attention to detail required at the highest level of the game.
That experience was followed by an unforgettable opportunity to train at PSV Eindhoven's outstanding academy facilities under the guidance of academy coaches.
The session introduced the players to a different coaching philosophy and challenged them to adapt to new ideas, expectations and methods. Seeing first-team players at the training ground added another layer to the experience and gave the group a powerful glimpse into the daily environment of professional football.
For aspiring players, it was a chance to move beyond watching elite football from a distance and experience part of that world for themselves.
Testing themselves in Belgium
The football continued as the group travelled to Belgium for a competitive fixture against a talented local academy side.
Facing unfamiliar opposition in a different country presented a valuable test. The match demanded concentration, resilience and the ability to adjust to a new style and intensity of play.
The players responded with determination and represented the programme with pride. More importantly, the fixture provided lessons that could not be recreated in a normal training session at home.
Competing internationally allowed the players to assess themselves against different opposition, recognise areas for development and return to England with a greater understanding of what is required to progress.
More than a football tour
The PSV experience represented everything an NGPFA international tour should be. It combined elite football development with travel, culture, independence, teamwork and personal growth. The players returned with new knowledge, stronger relationships and memories that will remain with them long after the final whistle.
For some, the tour marked their first experience of travelling abroad. For others, particularly those approaching the end of their time on the college programme, it became a fitting celebration of their journey and the friendships they had built.
Most importantly, it showed the players where football can take them when opportunity, hard work and ambition come together.
NGPFA would like to thank PSV Eindhoven, the academy coaches, the opposition in Belgium, the programme staff and everyone who helped make the tour possible.
What the players said
“It was fun, inspirational and hardworking, an experience that will stay with me throughout my life. I loved it and only wish we could have stayed longer. I'm so glad I had the opportunity.”
— RML
“Thank you for taking me. It was amazing, and I really appreciate everything the coaches did for us.”
— EV
“Memories made for life. I'm now leaving the college after my third year, and I only wish an opportunity like this had happened sooner. I would definitely recommend it to others.”
— JA
