Other Courses

GOAL Programme Football Academy

Thomas Rotherham College (TRC)

Moorgate Road, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 2BE

No Qualification

Unknown/Not applicable

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Thomas Rotherham College

1 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

This is a specialist football programme that is linked with Rotherham United Football Club. It was set-up for, but is not exclusive to, players who were released from a professional team, so that their progress could still be monitored by a professional club while gaining academic qualifications.

Course Details

This involves either 9 hours a week of specialist football training (including games) for the Elite squad or 6 hours a week for the Development squad. In addition, GOAL students will choose an appropriate range of TRC courses for the rest of the week.

Study Visits

Possibility of an overseas football tour. These run every second year, so all GOAL students get the opportunity to participate. The trip is usually to the USA, to forge links with American Universities wanting to recruit players for Soccer Scholarships. The trip has secured several scholarships over the years.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

This is a non-academic course although there is a possibility of additional, football- based qualifications.

Entry requirements

Standard college criteria plus trial.

Initial enquiries on 01709 300600.

This is currently a male-only course as FA regulations prohibit mixed competitive matches and training over the age of 12 and there is currently insufficient demand to form a female team.

Your next steps...

This programme is for students playing at a high standard of football and wish to continue to do so while studying for FE qualifications. Past students have gone on to professional and semi-professional clubs and also into higher education, both in the UK and the USA.

Jamie Vardy is the scheme's most celebrated product.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.