Student-athlete graduate praises Football Development Centre

Huddersfield Town FC youngster Will McCamley has praised Sunderland College following a successful first year in professional football. 

The 19-year-old graduated from the college’s Football Development Centre with a BTEC Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence) and signed for the EFL Championship club after impressing on trial. 

Will, who played for South Shields FC’s Academy as part of his programme, has settled in well and featured prominently for the Terriers’ youth teams this season. 

He said: “It has been a good year on the pitch playing against the likes of Liverpool and Sunderland in the Premier League Cup for Huddersfield’s U23s and playing against Bayern Munich in preseason against some brilliant players. 

“Off the pitch it was tricky adapting to a full–time environment but now it’s normal. It was hard moving away from home for the first few months as I’ve never lived by myself, but I’ve gotten used to it now and Yorkshire is a nice place to live.”

Will is hoping to build a career in football at a high level and credits Sunderland College’s Football Development Centre for giving him the opportunity to realise his dream. 

He added: “The facilities and coaching I received at college and South Shields FC were a really high standard and improved me massively as an athlete and as a person. 

“Without this level of support and coaching I wouldn’t be where I am today.“ 

Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Emyr Humphreys, said: “Will took a few months to adjust to the demands of a professional club whilst also living by himself away from home for the first time, which is understandable. 

 “Since the turn of the year Will was starting to get some real momentum and was playing consistently to a high level for our Under-19 side against the likes of Liverpool and Celtic, which was a credit to him and the hard work he’s put in since joining the club. 

 “He has a real enthusiasm for training and the game in general, which is refreshing and one of the main things we look for when recruiting players. He also plays with real ambition and fearlessness with the ball at his feet, which makes him exciting to work with and watch. 

“Will has a lot of potential and I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops over the next 12 months.” 

Sunderland College’s sports programmes help students combine their full-time studies with an elite coaching and games programme to get the very best from their sporting and academic careers without having to choose between the two. 

The Football Development Centres produce players who progress into professional and semi-professional football and even gain international scholarships. 

Players receive training from UEFA Pro License coaches while developing their skills with FA coaching qualifications, playing in showcase games against Premier League and EFL clubs. 

The TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) is a Sport England funded partnership between talented athletes, education institutions and national governing bodies of sport who work together to bring the best out of the country’s most exciting young talents.  

For more information, email sport@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk.