Scholarships (U17-U19)
The Eastleigh FC Football Academy reflects an ethos which combines the provision of football excellence with a full-time education.
WHAT WE OFFER
The Scholarship programme is a 2/3-year, full-time Education and Football Development programme delivered in partnership with Professional and Non-League Football Clubs. We strive to give all of our players more opportunities and greater experiences designed to help them progress on and off the pitch. The scholarship aims to not only develop the players as footballers, but as individuals.
FOOTBALL
We compete in the U19 National Youth League Alliance, Tactic Leagues, Youth Development League, and the prestigious FA Youth Cup. Our Elite Development Squad play a number of showcase fixtures vs professional/semi professional teams as well as competing in a very competitive National Academy South League. The football scholarship programme directly links to the first team at the club.
EDUCATION
The players will initially study 2 years on a NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity (Equivalent to 3 A levels). We also offer the opportunity for players to access English and Maths GCSE. The players may then get invited to progress onto our 3rd year Elite Development Squad programme where they will gain further qualifications.
WHY JOIN THE SCHOLARSHIP?
Eastleigh Football Club’s scholarship has been running for over ten years with the aim of helping talented footballers make progress in their football careers, whilst continuing with their academic studies.
The club have a history of producing young talented footballers; Brett Williams (Reading FC), Aaron Martin (Southampton FC) and Will Aimson (Hull City) who all joined football league clubs from the Spitfires.
In the last few seasons, some success stories have been Joe Adams (Wigan Athletic), Josh Jeffries (Southampton FC), and Balraj Landa (AFC Bournemouth).
In recent years, the club has produced its own talent with many appearances made by Eastleigh Academy products in the First Team each season.
The current First Team squad has a host of young players who are contracted and train full time (Malachi Dotse, Nathan Rogers, and Liam Webber).
"It's a great opportunity for the people involved with the academy. The training these young lads are getting means that they can make the step up to the First Team now and they deserve their chances."
Academy Coach, Jason Brookes, on opportunities given in our scholarship programme
- First Team Contracts
Earn a full-time professional first team contract with the club.
- Elite Development Squad Offer (3rd Year)
Subject to selection, players can be offered an extended year with the club through our Elite Development Squad programme (3rd Year).
- University Links
Opportunities to progress into further education leading to university.
- US Scholarships
At the club, we have a number of links with programmes that offer players the chance to attend university in the US alongside playing football.
- Jobs in the Sports Industry
The course can open up job opportunities within the sports industry such as: coaching, media, sports therapy, and much more.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Over 100
First Team Appearances (since 2022/23)
14
EDS Squad Places Offered (2023/24)
18
First Team Contracts (since 2018)
- National U19 Academy League – South Division WINNERS (2021/22)
- First and Second Year Scholars winning their U19 National League Alliance Leagues (Division D and Division E, 2019/20)
- National Academy League Cup Finalists (2019/20, 2021/22)
- National Youth Alliance Winners (2023/24)
- Hampshire Senior Cup Finalists (2020/21, 2021/22)
- FA Youth Cup Second Round (beating League One, Portsmouth FC, along the way) (2023/24)
2024/2025 SEASON
Would you like to become part of the next generation? Open Trials for Year 11 & 12 students will be available in due course.
To stay updated with the latest on our Scholarship programme, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
ENGLAND SCHOOLBOY
Two of our academy scholars were selected for the U18 England Schoolboys squad for the 2021/22 season. Joe Adams (now at Wigan Athletic) and Tom Gruzewski have been with the club from the age of 15 and we are proud to see them represent their national team as part of the club.
WHO WILL DELIVER THE EDUCATION?
3RD YEAR (EDS) EDUCATION
Juniper deliver our 3rd Year (EDS) programme where players will study a Diploma in Skills for Business Enterprise/a Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training.
WHERE IS THE SCHOLARSHIP?
The Football Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for players to train and study in an environment that will develop their academic and football performance. The Football programme and Academic studies will be based at Eastleigh FC, Sliverlake Stadium, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9HT. Here, players will benefit from an excellent range of brand new training facilities including grass and all-weather pitches at the new Hants FA Stoneham Complex along with an on-site and a dedicated classroom for academic studies.
TRAINING
All our Scholarship sides train full-time at the newly built Stoneham Lane Astro Complex. This is also where fixtures are held. The club itself also has a gym on site that is used for Strength and Conditioning work for players.
EDUCATION
Education takes place on-site at Eastleigh Football Club inside designated classrooms. Players adhere to a timetable consisting of training and education times.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
Both the Football and Educational element of the Scholarship is fully funded and therefore there is no cost to join the programme. There will be a subsidised cost for purchasing training kit at the start of the season. Further details will be provided upon the player’s acceptance into the Football Scholarship.
ENQUIRIES
For more information or to book your place at the next Open Trial, please contact Jason Bristow. jbristow@eastleighfc.com
