Football Development

The Football Development Programme provides students the opportunity to achieve academically through a Football themed environment. This course allows students of all abilities to achieve their highest potential academically, whilst playing, coaching and officiating Football within curriculum and during extra-curricular time.

Click here to view the Post-16 Football Development Programme Newsletter from Autumn 2021.

Click here to express your interest in the Football Development Programme.

Please contact Mr Bishton if you have any questions on 0121 553 4665.

Meet The Team

Mr Bishton
Role: Director of Football

Favourite Football Team: Wolverhampton Wanderers


Current coaching level: UEFA B (On-going)


Previous Experience:
Playing – Shrewsbury Town Academy
Coaching – Wolverhampton Wanderers; Leeds United; FA Coach Mentor

Football Memory: Coaching at Espanyol’s Academy

Favourite Football Player: Lionel Messi

Mr O’Neill
Role: Teacher / Coach

Favourite Football Team: Aston Villa


Current coaching level: UEFA B (On-going)

Previous Experience:
Playing – Birmingham City Scholar
Coaching – Tamworth

Football Memory: Walking out onto a stadium pitch with the fans watching

Favourite Football Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Bird
Role: Programme Coordinator

Favourite Football Team: West Bromwich Albion FC


Current coaching level: UEFA B

Previous Experience:
Playing – Stourbridge FC Coaching – West Brom Academy

Football Memory: Playing at the Hawthorns and Molineux

Favourite Football Player: Ronaldinho

You do not need any specific entry requirements to access the Football Programme at George Salter Academy, however you need access three subject courses to get into our Sixth Form – please refer to entry requirements for these courses – these can be found in the Sixth Form section. 

Students taking part in the programme are expected to attend all training sessions, receiving half termly reviews.

Students will receive an FA Level 1 Award in Coaching Football and complete the FA Basic Referee Course, this is in addition to over 20 different FA courses that students will complete within the two years.

The purpose of enrichment is to equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience that you need in order to become successful in the sporting world, whether this is a career in sport, studying BTEC/A Level Sport or entry onto a sports course at University. Enrichment opportunities are free from the boundaries of following a specification and content can be tailored to suit the development needs of the group.

There are many enrichment opportunities included in this programme, such as going on sports industry related trips, gym sessions, guest speakers, coaching and officiating experience, coaching from UEFA qualified coaches, sports tours, coaching workshops and higher education visits.

The programme is designed to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, practical experience and confidence to pursue a career in sport, whether than be going to University, seeking an apprenticeship or gaining employment.

Highlighted below are a number of potential careers that are possible based upon students completing this course successfully.

  • Physiotherapy
  • Teaching
  • Performance analyst
  • Nutritionist
  • Sport psychologist
  • Personal training
  • Sport and leisure
  • Coaching companies
  • Football coaching