Rainford High has been chosen to host a new David Campbell Soccer Elite Football Academy for aspiring young footballers aged 16-19.
Former international footballer, David Campbell set up his multi-award-winning company 23 years ago after his playing career ended. He offers both junior coaching programmes and education courses for 16-19 year olds across the region.
Having previously held a number of successful courses at Rainford High, aimed at young people wishing to enter the fascinating football industry as professional coaches or other industry specialists, David Campbell Soccer and the school have again joined forces to assist talented footballers into the professional or semi-professional game.
The new David Campbell Soccer Elite Football Academy, focusing on the playing of football, provides high-level training, fitness, development and games against professional teams.
Using David’s contacts and expertise, students will be given direct introductions into the football industry, enjoying workshops and visits at a number of Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton.
Past courses have seen Rainford High achieve a 100% success rate for graduating students, with a number due to travel to the United States of America this summer to work as professional coaches.
Other graduates have been offered full-time sports apprenticeships within the David Campbell organisation and will be working closely alongside David, who aims to develop them further into outstanding role models and industry specialists.
David said: “I have been particularly enthused by the students from Rainford High and very much enjoy working with the school who I see as both progressive and quality-driven with an appetite for success for all of their students.”
Ian Young, principal at Rainford High, commented: “It is an incredible opportunity to have someone like David Campbell involved with the school as he brings outstanding quality, the highest level of expertise and contacts throughout the game – giving an extraordinary opportunity to our students.
“As a school we’re renowned for our commitment to sport, for all levels and abilities, and this new academy further supports this.”
The school won the Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Secondary School award three times at the Educate Awards, most recently last year.
David Campbell Soccer has been impacting the St Helens and Rainford area significantly in recent years having agreed to recruit and operate the St Helens School Boys Representative Squad, which Rainford High students have also helped to coach. The team was presented with a plaque on the pitch at Goodison Park having reached the semi-final in the Everton Cup.
Through David’s contacts they have played at Manchester United, Everton, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and Fleetwood Football Clubs. The trials, training and coaching of the St Helens Representative Team took place at Rainford High, further cementing the association with David Campbell and utilising the outstanding sporting facilities available at the school.
For information on Rainford High visit: www.rainford.org.uk.
Details regarding David Campbell Soccer can be found at: www.davidcampbellsoccer.com.
