Football Academy on the Lookout for New Players

Priority Football Academy is recruiting players for the 2022/23 academic year, allowing youngsters to play competitive football alongside their A Level studies. 

Priority Football Academy offers youngsters between the ages of 16 and 18 the opportunity to play matches and train on top of a full-time further education offering.  

The Academy works in partnership with Nailsea School, where youngsters can pick from a whole host of academic subjects to study as part of the programme. Nailsea School Sixth Form offers a wide range of traditional A Level subjects, while also providing a number of BTEC courses. 

The programme is aimed at keen football players who want to maximise their potential, while giving themselves a platform to succeed outside of the game through their studies. The Academy offers players the chance to play in college leagues, achieve scholarships and develop real career opportunities in football.

The programme, which began in 2020, is run by Priority Football Academy founder Rob Prior, who previously worked as a coach at Bristol Rovers. 

He believes it offers youngsters the chance to achieve both on and off the pitch. 

“The academy has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years and we have been really fortunate to work with youngsters who are hungry to succeed in all aspects of their life,” said Rob, a UEFA qualified coach. 

“The programme helps youngsters become the best versions of themselves on the football pitch and in the classroom. 

“Our football sessions are based around skills and technical development, while we help players become fitter and also obtain a key understanding of the tactical principles of the game. 

“We have always endeavoured to create a professional environment to ensure players can perform at their highest level. 

“Nailsea School provides the perfect environment for the academy as the academic side of the programme is critical. 

“The players we work with are supported to work as hard as they can in the classroom to ensure they gain the qualifications needed to achieve in all areas.  

“If players are good enough, there is every chance they will go on to play men’s football at a really decent standard.   

“We’ve even had youngsters who want to find a job in professional football because of their love for the game.”  

The programme is open to school leavers across the South West and benefits from its easy-to-reach location and numerous public transport links. 

Nailsea School is conveniently located within a 15-minute walk of Backwell train station, which has direct links from Bristol Temple Meads and Weston-super-Mare.  

The school is also on the main bus route which links many towns across north Somerset.   

For more information about the programme, please visit www.priorityfootballacademy.co.uk or email team@priorityfootballacademy.co.uk.