Academy

TALENT ID DAY: APPLY NOW

 

The Chatham Town Football Club Scholarship Programme offers Year 12 and 13 students the opportunity to combine a full-time football development programme with a high-quality education.

Designed for ambitious and dedicated young people, the programme allows students to develop within a semi-professional football environment while studying either a BTEC Level-3 qualification. Our focus is not only on developing players, but on creating well-rounded individuals prepared for careers across the sports industry.

The programme is delivered and managed by Virtual Learning UK, which includes the education, enrichment and qualification delivery. VLUK employ all teaching and enrichment staff.

For more information: visit the VLUK website

Football Development:

Players on the programme benefit from:

  • Up to 6 hours of high-quality training per week, delivered by UEFA-licensed coaches
  • Position-specific development, including goalkeeper training
  • A structured syllabus to enhance technical, tactical, physical, and psychological performance
  • Access to Veo for detailed match analysis

Competitive Fixtures:

Players represent the club in:

  • National Football Youth League – Men’s U23s & Women’s U21s
  • National League U19 Alliance League
  • Tactic U19 League
  • FA Youth Cup

There are also opportunities to:

  • Compete against professional academies
  • Take part in showcase fixtures
  • Progress into the first-team environment

All players are encouraged to embody “The Chatham Town Way”, developing professionalism, resilience, and a competitive mindset.

Education & Career Development:

BTEC Level 3 in Sport

Equivalent to three A-Levels, this course combines:

  • Academic learning
  • Practical sport application
  • Work experience opportunities

Core Areas of Study:

  • Coaching & Performance
  • Sport Development
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Careers in Sport

Additional Opportunities:

  • Coaching qualifications
  • Industry placements
  • Real-world experience within sport settings

A-Level Pathways delivered in partnership with:

  • St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School
  • Thomas Aveling School
  • Walderslade Girls / Greenacre

Students can access a wide range of A-Level subjects, allowing them to balance academic ambitions alongside elite-level training.

Pathways in Sport:

This programme is designed to support multiple career routes within sport, not just playing: 

  • Playing pathways into semi-professional and professional football
  • University progression, including Sport Science, Coaching, and Physical Education degrees
  • International opportunities, including US scholarships
  • Careers in sport, such as coaching, physiotherapy, sports science, performance analysis, and the wider sports industry

Our aim is to ensure every student leaves with a clear and realistic progression plan—whether that’s stepping onto the pitch or into a professional role within sport.

Academy Success:

The programme has a proven track record of developing both players and professionals within the sports industry: 

Notable Alumni:

  • Sam Sene-Richardson – First Team and Pro 
  • Harvey Broad – First Team and Pro
  • Clarence Tambe – First Team
  • Kelvin Boissiere – First Team
  • Isaac Hadlow – First Team
  • Kelsi Wilkinson – Joined WSL Club
  • Summer Wiffen – First Team
  • Sisi Hunt – First Team & Chatham Town Coach
  • Joshua Shonowo – US Scholarship
  • Holly MacLaurin – US Scholarship
  • Evan Readshaw – Masters in Physiotherapy & First Team Medical Team Placement

Players have also earned trial opportunities at clubs such as:

  • Coventry
  • Burnley
  • Millwall
  • Charlton Athletic
  • Gillingham FC
  • Derby County
  • Blackburn
  • Cambridge United
  • London City Lionesses

 For more information, please contact Academy Contact – Kieran Quarrington / academy@chathamtownfc.com