Athlone Town AFC have announced a start date for the Player Development course. The Local Training Initiative in association with the LWETB is due to start on the 2nd October with applications now open through the FETCH Courses Website.

The Player Development courses offers participants the opportunity to experience a full time progessional caoching environment while continuing with their education. There are several progression routes for learners, with learners progressing to third level education, vocational training, footballing scholarships in America and full-time professional football in both Ireland and abroad.

Football player development is a major feature on these long running courses, which have seen more that 100 trainees progressing to the SSE Airtricity League in recent seasons with graduates, including Katie McCabe, Matt Doherty, Enda Stephens, Alan Browne and Daryl Horgan, who have carved out full time professional careers in the UK after attending similar Local Training Initiatives around the country.

As part of the academic side of the programme learners will complete a QQI Level 5 in Sport& Recreation Studies plus an ITEC Gym Instructors Diploma and FAI Coaching Certificates.

The CAO points accumulated on this programme (up to 395 points) has allowed numerous learners to progress to Third Level Institutions in Ireland and the UK. Graduates from the FAI/ETB programme have continued to add to their educational development in a variety of degree courses delivered in Universities across the country where sports themed degree courses are very popuylar choices.

Students accepted onto the programme would be entitled to a training allowance (if elligible) through the Department of Social Protection, details of can be found here.

For more information about the course you can view the details on FETCH Courses Website or contact the Course Coordinator, Emmett Egan, at emmett@athlonetownafc.ie.