Introduction
MK College Football Academy helps male and female players improve their football skills and move on to join teams at different levels of the football pyramid. These include clubs like Cheltenham Town FC, Tamworth FC, Wealdstone FC, Canvey Island FC, Vancouver FC, Stirling Albion FC, MK Dons Women FC, Watford Women FC, and Luton Women FC. Players compete in ECFA, AoC competitions, and the Spartan South Midlands League (Step 7) while being part of our academy.
MK College Football Academy (MKCFA)
MK College Football Academy (MKCFA) will celebrate 14 years in 2025 and is recognised as one of the top college football academies in the UK. It won the Premier Cup in 2015 and provides students aged 16-19 with the opportunity to develop their football skills while continuing their education. Over the years, MKCFA has seen 7 men’s players and 3 women’s players represent the England Colleges National Team, including Connie Medri, Zara Labastide, and Juud Farrant in the past two seasons.
Players receive up to 15 hours of training each week, including on-pitch sessions, gym-based strength and conditioning, and competitive fixtures. The main programme runs from September to May, with elite players starting in July to prepare for the men’s league season. Training takes place on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, with sessions focusing on individual skills, squad tactics, and unit-based drills.
The academy hosts competitive fixtures on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The Elite Men’s and Women’s teams compete in the ECFA Premier League and U18 ESFA competitions on Wednesdays, while other teams play in Category 2 and 3 leagues. On Saturdays, MKCFA competes in the Spartan South Midlands Division 2 League against men’s teams, providing valuable experience.
MKCFA holds a 3-star accreditation, the highest available, under the ECFA Development Framework.
Qualifications
To join the football programme, students must also be enrolled in a full-time academic course. Popular options include:
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Football)
- NCFE Level 3 Sport Leadership Programme
- NCFE Level 2 in Sports Coaching
- NCFE Level 2 in Sport Leadership
- NCFE Level 3 Personal Training
Students are required to adhere to the MK College Code of Conduct, which includes maintaining good behaviour, achieving a minimum of 92% attendance, completing assignments on time, and meeting sporting standards.
Progression Routes
Upon completing the programme, students have various pathways available, such as:
- Signing professional contracts
- Securing American soccer scholarships through Future Pro USA
- Pursuing a university degree following completion of Level 3 qualifications
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