This September, the Huddersfield Town Foundation will launch an exciting new opportunity for young people across Kirklees: the Town Sports College Post-16 Football Education Programme, designed to combine high quality education with meaningful, structured football development.
Learners aged 16–19 will have the chance to study a Level 2 or Level 3 BTEC in Sport (Coaching) while training and playing for the Foundation in the Community & Education Football Alliance (CEFA) League.
Students will train three times a week and compete in league fixtures every week, providing a professional, consistent, and supportive environment for both academic and athletic growth.
The programme offers a unique dual-pathway approach, giving young people access to nationally recognised qualifications while also improving physical wellbeing, confidence, and opportunities for progression into further training, employment, or a future in sport.
The programme is strengthened by its close association with Huddersfield Town AFC, giving learners the chance to develop within an environment shaped by the history, identity, and values of the club. The opportunity to train and play in Huddersfield Town kit, learn at the Accu Stadium, and represent the Foundation in national competition allows students to feel the pride and responsibility that comes with wearing the badge.
For many young people, the badge represents more than football - it symbolises belonging, ambition, and the belief that their town is behind them. By embedding the programme within the culture of Huddersfield Town AFC, the Foundation continues to use the power of OUR club to inspire confidence, raise aspirations, and open doors to new opportunities both on and off the pitch.
This initiative reflects the Foundation’s belief that every young person should have the chance to GROW through learning and opportunity, BELONG through connection and inclusion, and THRIVE through improved wellbeing.
Dan Jarvis, Senior Education Manager of Huddersfield Town Foundation, said:
“Education and personal development are at the heart of everything we do, and this new programme reflects our commitment to giving young people meaningful opportunities to grow. Combining a Level 2/3 BTEC in Sport with regular coaching and competitive fixtures through the CEFA league offers a truly unique pathway for learners across Kirklees.
“Training three times a week and playing every Wednesday provides structure, routine, and a professional environment where students can build confidence, develop skills, and discover what they are capable of. Students on the course will have the opportunity to train & play in Huddersfield Town AFC kit, as well as studying for 12 hours a week at the Accu Stadium. We are incredibly proud to launch a programme that supports young people academically, physically, and personally, helping them take real steps toward their future.”
Sam Dainty, CEO of Huddersfield Town Foundation, added:
“This programme is about much more than football—it’s about creating opportunity. By bringing together high-quality education with the chance to train and play for the Huddersfield Town Foundation, we’re giving young people a platform to succeed in an environment where they feel supported, motivated, and valued.
“Our goal is to ensure learners can see real progression routes, whether that’s continuing in education, moving into employment, or pursuing a future in sport. As a Foundation, we are determined to remove barriers and open doors for our community, and this initiative is a powerful example of how we can help young people across OUR town GROW, THRIVE and BELONG.”
Founded in 2012, the Huddersfield Town Foundation uses the power of OUR club to create opportunities, reduce inequalities and inspire lasting change for OUR community through the delivery of projects across Kirklees and the surrounding area.
The Foundation offers opportunities across education, health and youth engagement to deliver impactful, inclusive programmes that empower OUR TOWN to thrive.