2018 / 2019 saw the start of our FSA Pro programme, this is a BTEC scholarship for 16 - 19 year olds, where young athletes can come and play football on a full time basis as well as gain a Level 3 extended Diploma in Sport. This qualification is equivalent to 3 A levels, and can grant you access to all top Universities in the UK and aboard, including the USA. Throughout the year players can expect the highest level of coaching and classroom tutoring, as well as showcase opportunities, alongside playing football in the highest college league in the UK, that also opens up the England College team for the lads.
Our Vision
To create an environment where players can come and express themselves on and off the pitch.
To progress as a player with our unique syllabus that has been created by our head of coaching Mark Smith and our founder Christian Fuchs.
To gain the best grade you can whilst completing the Level 3 extended diploma in sport.
To produce elite athletes in order for them to gain a Professional contract in the UK or abroad.
To grow as a person and learn valuable life skills.
For the players to have the best years of their life with us, and something they will remember for the rest of it.
"FSA PRO is a family environment that pushes for success on and off the pitch, creating well rounded individuals, that we can be proud off." - Christian Fuchs
Season Review
In the 2018 / 2019 season we started with 30 players, each with different aspirations on and off the pitch, but our main aim was to create a team that could win the CAT 2 league and for each individual to pass their diploma in sport.
We started our pre-season at the beginning of August, this was a great chance for us to get the boys fit and ready to compete from the start. Our pre season was made up of fitness testing, technical / tactical work and a games programme. This lead to our first pre season tour in Lithuania, this was a great opportunity for the lads to really get to know one and other and compete in a different environment / culture. In Lithuania the boys where fantastic they came up against top teams in the Lithuanian league, as well as competing against the national academy. Looking back this trip set us up for a very successful year and something we will plan to do every year with our players.
Once we returned it was straight into league action where we started very professionally and took our first 3 points away to FSD, this then gave us a great platform to work off. During the season there was plenty of ups and downs, some fantastic performances and some that failed to reach the highest we knew the team could reach. However they shown a fantastic ability to win even when are backs are up against the wall, which is a sign of a real quality team. During the league campaign we also had a fantastic cup run in the National cup, here all teams around the UK come together to compete in a knockout competition. Unfortunately we came unstuck in the quarter finals losing to a very good Torquay side, but during this run the players gained valuable experience on and off the pitch, and made them even hungrier to not let this happen again.
Once we returned to league action we where back to winning ways and this carried on for the reminder of he games therefore crowning us Champions of the CAT 2 league and gave us promotion to the CAT 1 league for the 2019 / 2020 season.
We then ended the year with an end of season tour to Spain, where we stayed in the 5 star holiday world resort, where the squad experienced out door strength and conditioning and competed against some top Spanish teams including in FC Malaga. This was a fantastic experience to end the year on a higher, with even more to come for selected players.
During the season the players where rewarded for their efforts, events such as go karting and a Christmas FIFA tournament where organised. Again giving them fantastic experiences of the pitch, and helping them bond as a team and grow as an individual. However the best reward was yet to come!! During the season the squad was told if they could go on to win the CAT 2, an elite squad of 16 would travel to the USA to compete in the EDP Platinum Cup in New
Jersey, completely FREE of charge for every player selected.
On June 7th the team travelled to JFK airport New York, then travelled down to Atlantic City where they competed in the EDP Platinum Cup. This was a fantastic life experience and an even bigger chance to put their name in the shop window for all of the biggest universities/colleges in the tri-state. Every single player grabbed it with both hands and we went on to be crowned champions and attracted a lot of attention from top universities/colleges for our players once they have finished with us at FSA PRO.
All in all it was a very successful season for the team on and off the pitch, with all players completing their education and winning two pieces of silverware in our first season.
Coaches Goals for the 2019/2020 Season
For us to gain 100% pass completion on the education side of the course.
To finish in the top 3 of the CAT 1 league, to gain qualification into the national knockout cup.
To compete at the top of CAT 2 with a vision of winning the league.
To provide even more unbelievable life experience for the players throughout the year.
As Head Coach I would like to thank every player for their efforts on and off the pitch, and every parent for the support of the players throughout the year. I am already looking forward to the upcoming season, with lots of exciting plans and experiences planned, as well as more success on the football pitch. See you all very soon for the start of our journey together.