Sunderland College is extending its partnership with Scholarship Connect to help more of its student-athletes to realise their dreams of studying in the USA on athletic scholarships.
The college has a highly successful record of offering exciting opportunities for its talented students to continue their studies and sporting careers abroad, with almost 20 alumni moving to prestigious schools including Lynn University in Florida, University of Illinois, and Clayton State University since 2012.
Supported in and out of the classroom by expert teaching staff and coaches at Bede Campus during their studies, Scholarship Direct provides each student with tailored guidance and support to start their journey of a lifetime.
This year, the Durham-based sports consultancy will be working closely with the college’s Football Development Centres where players will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Dan McGuire who is studying a degree at Flagler College in Florida and playing for Flagler Saints.
Karl Haggon, Head of Client Services (USA) at Scholarship Connect, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Sunderland College’s football programme.
“We have worked with their student-athletes, offering guidance in realising their American dream and continuing their education while competing at a higher level.
“We’re looking forward to another successful recruiting year working with the top talent in the North East.”
Sunderland College’s Football Development Centres – run in partnership with South Shields FC and Sunderland AFC’s Foundation of Light – have a reputation for producing elite players who progress into professional and semi-professional football or gain international scholarships.
Players receive up to 12 hours per week training from a UEFA Pro License Coach as well as playing in showcase games against Premier League and EFL clubs.
The college also boasts a reputation for sporting excellence through its established and successful Sports Development Centres, Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport Inclusion Hub.
Students receive everything they need to help them perform at the highest level, including strength and conditioning training with Martin Nugent Elite Performance Centre alongside professional footballers and Team GB athletes, as well as nutritional guidance, physiotherapy referrals, performance analysis and access to sports psychologists.
Carl Jones, Sport and Public Services Lecturer, added: “We have a very proud tradition of nurturing and developing talented athletes so they can take their exciting next steps once they leave college.
“Sunderland College is delighted to be working with Scholarship Connect to enrich our student-athlete experience on campus and provide life-changing opportunities.
“We look forward to the future and supporting the talented players we have at Sunderland College with our partners Foundation of Light and South Shields FC.”
If you have a real talent for sport and would like to combine your studies with an elite training programme, apply now or register for one of our open events!
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98% of our students progress to a positive destination
(*Destination data for Sunderland College students aged 16-18, academic year 2017/18).
Our achievement rates are well above the national average.
We are the College of the Year.
(*Top college nationally for BTECs, Pearson 2019)
100% of our HND and HNC students progressed to employment or further study.
(*Destination data, academic year 2016/17, HNC 19+)
We have recently invested £50 million in our facilities.
