Glentoran announce partnership with Robbie Fowler Academy

The partnership, which will be based at the training campus in Ashfield Boys’ High School, will commence this August.

Glentoran Head Coach Mick McDermott said it was an important development not just for the club, but the community as a whole.

"Since Ali Pour took over at Glentoran, we have set about trying to re-establish the club’s connections with the local and wider community," he said.

"We are all in agreement that it is extremely important for us not just to be a club based in the community but, more notably, a club that is determined to work with, and for, the local community.

"With this in mind, our full-time Youth Football Academy is one example of how we want to work as a club.

"The Academy’s programmes are designed to not just help young footballers to develop and improve as players, but also to provide them with an academic pathway to Further and Higher Education and the world of work."

Former Liverpool striker Fowler said the Fowler Education Football Academy said they would strive to make the programme a "national beacon of excellence".

“I am proud that my Academy has partnered with a fantastic club in Glentoran FC," he said.

"We will put every effort into making this programme a huge success and a national beacon of excellence as we have in England.

"The Staff Team at Glentoran, and Ashfield Boys’ High School, are excellent and together we will be second to none.

"I am really looking forward to meeting all of the Academy students and staff in the very near future.”

Ashfield Boys’ High School and Glentoran are developing a full-time football academy for players between the ages of 16-18.

These young players will have the opportunity to not just study for Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (equivalent of 3 ‘A’ Levels) but will also have a schedule for full time training, coaching, strength and conditioning.

Furthermore, two IFA Education Development Officers, will deliver a full enrichment programme providing the young players

Mick McDermott, as a qualified teacher and UEFA Pro License holder, along with the club’s professional players will lead regular coaching sessions; they will also help mentor and assist the young players and students, in conjunction with the school’s PE staff, deliver coaching and festival days for the local East Belfast Primary schools.

In addition to all of this, each student on the course will have the opportunity to gain work experience and coaching opportunities with the Irish Football Association and Glentoran Football Club.

Ashfield Head Teacher Jo McColgan said of the initiative: ““We are absolutely delighted to be reconnecting with Glentoran FC and creating a variety of opportunities and pathways for our young people.

"Ashfield Boys’ has a proud history of excellence, not just in terms of academic achievements but also in football.

"So many of our pupils have represented and achieved great success with the Glens over the decades.

"We are also the school who has produced the most Northern Ireland Internationals. Nine in total with Glentoran players Stuart Elliot and Andy Kirk among them.

"We look forward to working in partnership with Glentoran FC and Robbie Fowler, and embedding both the school and club firmly in the local East Belfast community. We are hugely excited about the future.”

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