Steven Gerrard left 'immensely proud' after new initiative leads to two deals

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Huyton-based defender Tomi Adesina and Childwall's midfielder Lucas Kirkpatrick, both alumni of the Steven Gerrard Academy, will now spend at least the next year with the League One side.

They are the most recent success stories from the Academy, established in 2011 as the Liverpool FC Foundation College and located at the Wyncote Sports Grounds on Mather Avenue in the city.

The Academy, which merges top-notch education with an elite football programme comprising training, gym sessions and matches, has also launched programmes in Kirkby, Chester, Chorley, Nottingham and Tenerife in recent years, boasting nearly 800 students.



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Their coaching team has been strengthened by the addition of former Newcastle United and Tranmere Rovers defender Ryan Taylor and ex-Cardiff City winger Craig Noone, who will impart their extensive knowledge to the upcoming generation.

This year, the Academy will usher in a new era with the launch of a degree course for students aged 18 and over, focusing on key aspects of the football industry, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The latest young prospects will aspire to emulate the likes of Paul Mullin, Elliot Nevitt, Sammy Adeniran, David Adimbola and Carra Jones of Wrexham Women in advancing to the pinnacle of the sport.

And Gerrard said: "Everyone at Steven Gerrard Academy is immensely proud of Lucas and Tomi's progress and wish them every success at Bolton Wanderers.

"Our Academy is committed to providing an elite environment for youngsters like Lucas and Tomi and they have worked really hard to make the step into a pro club.

Many more of our students are progressing to universities in England and the USA and we are equally proud of them.

"I am especially excited about the launch of our Steven Gerrard Academy degree, providing pathways into the many roles within the game for youngsters who may not have traditionally gone to university."

Amongst others who have previously graduated into positions beyond playing are Jordan Haskell of coaching website Ultimate Player HQ, Chloe Bloxham from fan channel Redmen TV and Tom Stegin, who is now coaching at William Penn University in the United States.

And the aspiration is that the introduction of the BSc (Hons) Football Industry degree course can unlock additional opportunities for youngsters across every aspect of the sport.

Director of operations Danny Harrison said: "Our degree is a game-changer because young people are able to gain degrees while remaining at our Academy.

"Some of them are first in the family to make it to university

For those pursuing a career in football it's ideal whether it be in playing, coaching, sport science and sporting directors

It's really exciting.

"The degree can also be studied online which allows students to harness our first-class network gaining work experience as performance analyst, talent ID, strength and conditioning, and coaching during their course.

"Students based at a traditional university are limited in what they can do, having to attend lectures in person but our delivery model changes all that.

"We aim to have Lucas and Tomi studying the degree in a couple of years as they always have an education as back up when they finish their playing career."

A handful of spots remain available on the three-year BSc (Hons) Football Industry degree programme, whilst 16 to 18 year olds can still secure places on the BTEC Level 3 in Sport, Coaching and Development Pathway and the BTEC Level 3 in Sport Media courses.

Those seeking further details should contact info@stevengerrardacademy