Background
In 2003, Ivybridge Community College's Deputy Principal, Mr Malcolm Collins, and Assistant Principal, Mr Andy Hulbert, joined forces with Plymouth Argyle's Stuart Gibson and Dave Leonard to explore ways of improving the football development for young players in the Plymouth and South Hams areas.

Their vision was to create an opportunity for Centre of Excellence players who attended Ivybridge Community College, to combine their studies and football training during the academic day.

Nine years later, their vision has evolved into highly reputable and respected support network for all three of Devon's Professional Football Clubs.

The future
Ivybridge Community College's Football Development Programme in its current format supports more than twenty-five professional Academy players alongside a large number of players from the DJM and other local junior leagues.

In recognition of our programme's quality and success, Premiership Club Manchester United have joined forces with Ivybridge Community College at the "Development Phase" to offer the best young players in the South West a pathway into elite football. This link provides a highly valued addition to the various exit routes already existing for players at our College.

Running alongside this partnership at the "Foundation Phase" will be a collaboration with the English Football Association. This will see the most promising young footballers in our local Primary Schools training at the College on a weekly basis though the FA's new Primary School Skills Centre Initiative.

In addition to these pathways available for players, we are hoping to educate the next generation of coaches in the region by offering Football Association coaching courses on-site. Details of these courses can be found on our events page.

With a strong reputation for player development, links with the Professional Clubs and foundations for coach education in place, Ivybridge Community College is proud to be moving towards providing a regional hub for Football in the South West.

Ivybridge Football Academy

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