Wolves Foundation: Flexibility the key during times of change
Read the latest column from the Wolves Foundation.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging and sometimes controversial side-effects of lockdown has been the impact it has had on education.
For the last ten months, Wolves Foundation have adapted and tailored their delivery to partner schools depending on the changing regulations, but have always been available in one form or another to provide a service for young people in the community.
And the same applies for the Foundation’s higher and further education programmes, the BTEC in Sport at both Wolverhampton and Telford Colleges, and the degree in Football Coaching, Development and Administration run in partnership with the EFLT and the University of South Wales.
Students have been able to continue their learning and, prior to lockdown, coaching and playing activities, as well as receiving support from course tutors and Foundation staff.
Now, recruitment is starting for the 2021 intake who will kick off their studies later this year, in the strong hope that by then, the situation with the pandemic will be vastly improved.
Those enrolled on the courses at present are relishing the opportunities available from being embedded within Wolves Foundation whilst pursuing their education.
The BTEC offers routes into higher education, apprenticeships, scholarships and job roles in sport, and includes representing Wolves in fixtures against other professional clubs. For Will Bradburn, it is the next step on his Foundation journey which began via sessions at primary school, through Cubs Club and Soccer Schools to attending the Advanced Centre and now the BTEC.
“I started with Wolves when I was seven or eight years of age and now I’m 16 doing a BTEC,” he says.
“So in a way it does kind of change your life because it’s made me progress within football and made me love the game more.
“Being able to play football against the other teams, it’s just a class feeling – we’ve played against teams like Aston Villa and Sheffield United, some big clubs. This course is going to get me a career in football, and take me to the next level.”
There are plans for virtual open evenings for the BTEC, taking place on January 23, at noon, and January 27, at 5pm. For more details about the BTEC or degree programmes, email bradleymoore@wolves.co.uk
