The Elite Football Programme is about the joy of playing football, it’s about happy students developing at a game they love, it’s about them finding ways to continue playing whatever their level, and building on their dreams to help them with their next steps in life. We teach football to help shape young people’s lives for the better.
Our Elite Football Programme is an elite development programme for student athletes. Whatever their level or ambitions we work with students as people and challenge them as athletes. From mastering fundamentals to playing at the highest level we tailor our approach to each student.
We have had many players go on to represent their country and play at the highest levels of the professional game in the UK and abroad. Yet the true measure of success for us is that each student graduates from the programme as a better person than when they joined.
Our Director of Football Joseph Newson is dedicated to developing young people and helping them to succeed in life. The skills and approach that our Elite Football Programme students learn will stay with them long after they have graduated from Rossall.
Rossall School and Fleetwood Town Football Club have been in partnership delivering the Rossall Elite Football Programme since 2016. During those four years membership of the programme has grown from three players to over forty players; several have progressed to play for Under 18 International squads and one pupil was selected by his country to play in a world cup qualifier match.
The programme offers pupils the opportunity to study at a leading independent school in the North whilst being immersed in the world of a professional league football team and club.
The very best international footballers from countries including: Ukraine, South Africa, Germany, Australia, Mexico and Malaysia travel to Rossall to avail of the unique opportunity to combine truly excellent coaching with an outstanding educational offering. It is this combination of rigour and challenge, on the field and in the classroom, that sets Rossall School’s Elite Football Programme apart.
Fleetwood Town Football Club is a professional English Football League Club with an outstanding commitment to nurturing and developing young talent. In 2016, Manchester United’s former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, opened the £10 million state of the art training complex at nearby Poolfoot Farm. These fantastic training facilities are a tangible expression of the club’s ambition – both in terms of league performance but also with regards to the talented young players at the club.
Fleetwood Town is a phenomenal football success. The Club has been promoted no less that six times in recent years. They are a club on the rise, with exciting plans for the future both on and off the field. Premier League sensation, Jamie Vardy, of Leicester City and England, made his name in Fleetwood Town colours, attracting attention from one of the biggest clubs, eventually signing with Leicester for a record fee. The Club is confident that other young players will soon follow in his footsteps.
The Highbury Stadium is situated just 3km from Rossall School.
Rossall School’s impressive one hundred and sixty acre campus is situated in the North West of England, on Lancashire’s picturesque coast.The School was founded in 1844 and has an impressive heritage. Alumni have made a profound impact in fields as diverse as sports, politics, literature and the performing arts. Although internationally-minded, Rossall has strong bonds with its local community and, in particular, Fleetwood Town Football Club.
The School offers excellent modern facilities complemented by a commitment to achieving academic excellence through the provision of outstanding teaching and learning. Dedicated professional staff deliver a rich and varied curriculum that challenges and inspires in equal measure.
In 2020, over 50% of all A Level grades awarded were A*/A.With an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme average of 34, Rossall School offers exceptional teaching and learning within a boarding community that is aspirant, nurturing and tailored to meet the needs of each individual pupil.
Over 60% of our students progress to Russell Group/Top 20 universities in the UK. An increasing number leave us to pursue careers in sports. This year, a number of students achieved 100% sports scholarships to leading universities in the United States. Rossall School’s commitment to sporting excellence transcends football. In 2019, we were ranked number one in the UK for golf and in 2020, we reached the quarterfinals of two national hockey competitions.
A comprehensive strength and conditioning programme is followed throughout the year, with each pupil provided with a tailor-made programme. Fleetwood Town’s sports scientists use the latest technology to continuously evaluate performance and assess levels of fitness.
A chartered physiotherapist is available throughout the school year, and pupils are provided with detailed advice regarding nutrition, lifestyle and physical well-being.
Rossall School also has a dedicated physiotherapy area for pupils who require support with their development and well-being. Expert rehabilitation and treatment for all of our athletes is paramount for us to ensure that they all receive the right care in order to limit their time spent injured and help to aid their short and long-term recovery from injury.
As a result of this, Rossall School has invested in a specialist Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre which will allow our specialist Physiotherapy and Sports Science staff to effectively treat and provide rehabilitation programmes for all players, in order they remain in optimum physical condition.
The Elite Football Programme provides opportunities to compete both for Rossall School and Fleetwood Town in various competitions and different formats of the game including futsal. This ensures that all pupils get maximum exposure in competitive match situations.
This is a football programme which is about more than what happens on the field. There are opportunities to gain valuable work experience within the context of a busy and successful EFL club. Membership of the programme brings with it access to the heads of department, including the 1st Head Coach, Technical Director and Chief Executive. This provides pupils with the opportunity to grow in their understanding of how a professional football club operates and immerse themselves in the world of media relations, business, recruitment and sports science.
Members of the Elite Football Programme are encouraged to work towards coaching qualifications and participate in leadership programmes.
The players receive a full Fleetwood Town training kit and a free season ticket for all of Fleetwood Town’s home matches.
Those on the programme have the opportunity to experience the true culture of the game in the football-mad North West of England. A region which is home to Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton.
Lancashire itself is also home to the following professional league clubs:
Morecambe, Accrington Stanley, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool, Fleetwood Town, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley.
Other very local clubs include Tranmere Rovers and Oldham Athletic. It really is a footballers’ paradise.
