College football programme proving a success

Independent Hastings United podcast, Sussex By The Sea, released their latest episode where they spoke to Craig Ottley, Sport Curriculum Leader at East Sussex College Hastings, about the College’s football programme, relationship with Hastings United, and the development of football students.

Craig is the lead of the College’s football programme and also coaches at the Girls Academy at Hastings United. Speaking on the podcast about first introducing the football programme at East Sussex College, Craig said, “You have to consider the uptake for it, are we going to get people that want to come and do a football academy? We had a target we had to hit, and we managed to get that number in - and since then we haven’t looked back. It’s been growing every single year.

“From a college point of view, we’ve got five internationals, but most importantly we’ve got thirty-odd students who are here every week to play football for the College. There’s lads travelling down from Crowborough every single day to be part of our programme.”

He added, “You can only do that with amazing staff behind it. Not only the teachers we’ve got here, but the draw from the coaches. Long may it continue that we keep growing and getting the players coming through.”

The College have had many students involved in the Hastings United U23 squad, who were recently crowned champions of Sussex after winning the U23 County Cup final 5-1 against Newhaven FC last month.

Hastings United Chairman, Billy Wood, tweeted, “Champions of Sussex! Great to see our team, which was full of 2nd years on our U19 @WeAreESCG programme, lifting a trophy! Congratulations to the coaching staff and all who make sure our lads have the best environment to flourish.”

Speaking about the squad’s success in the County Cup final, Craig said, “We were looking at the squad last night. Out of the 17, there were 15 that are either current or formerly of the College’s programme which is unbelievable. It’s testament to the programme that we’ve managed to get that many in.

“There were a couple of lads who were probably disappointed not to be in the squad that are still in the programme now that could’ve made it. That’s without one of the biggest U19 players, Tom Chalmers. He’s still on the programme in his third year for us. He’s gone on to do massive things for the College.”

To read more about Tom’s footballing achievements with East Sussex College, including being selected as captain of the AoC Sport England Colleges men’s football team, click here.

Craig reiterated the inclusivity of the programme and said, “The beautiful thing with us at the College is you can do any course you want, A-Levels, Catering, Sport, the football programme is available to you. It’s really inclusive. Application-wise it’s really simple. Get an application through school, or come directly to the College - then get your interview.

“There’s avenues for everyone here, we have different levels of football. We’re lucky to play in the highest level of college football - your ‘Premier League’ level - but there’s different tiers for teams all the way down to ‘I just want to come and have a kick about’. Football is for everyone.”

Explaining a week in the life of a football student at East Sussex College, Craig said, “We’ll build a timetable around their football. For most of the boys, they’ll have academic studies on a Monday morning. Monday afternoon they'll be training with the coaches.

“Tuesday they have a strength and conditioning session at a local gym. Wednesday is our game day, so they’re travelling everywhere! Thursday is predominantly a study day, and Friday they train in the morning - so it’s a five-day programme for them, but it’s all built around football.”

Craig added, “The College and staff here are very good at allowing students to go to games and make sure they catch up on work and maintain the average grades they need to achieve.”

If you’re interested in studying Sport at East Sussex College, please visit www.escg.ac.uk/courses/sport-fitness to find out more information about the courses on offer.