All late applicants are invited to pre-book a face-to-face interview session.
Adult part-time courses are still open. See Part time courses
Our Male Football program has a rich history of guiding learners towards professional contracts and paving the way for numerous individuals to pursue semi-professional football opportunities across the UK. Over the span of 25 years, SGS Male Football has seen athletes emerge from the program to represent clubs such as Sheffield United, Barnsley, Bristol City, AFC Bournemouth, and Bristol Rovers. Additionally, SGS Male Football has provided crucial support for several athletes to compete for England Colleges during their tenure at SGS College. The Male Football program participates in the AoC Sport Leagues, South West Counties Youth League, and FA Youth Cup. Furthermore, the program boasts multiple partnerships with local clubs, all aimed at facilitating player progression into top non-league teams.
The original SGS Sports Academy, celebrating its 25th year in 2024, has earned a distinguished reputation as one of the premier College football academies nationwide. The Male Football Programme at SGS Sport provides athletes aged 16 and above with extensive opportunities to advance their athletic journey while pursuing academic studies at SGS College. Learners in the SGS Sport Male Football Academy benefit from up to 15 hours of weekly contact time, encompassing on-field training sessions, gym-based Strength and Conditioning sessions, and broader athlete development sessions covering Psychology, Nutrition, and Brand Awareness throughout the season. Additionally, all learners receive three individual feedback sessions annually with their coaches, focusing on academic development, personal needs, and areas for improvement.
The SGS Sport program also offers an extensive Sport Science and Medical package focused on injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This includes strength and conditioning sessions, sports rehab, sports massage, and pitch-side first aid and matchday emergency cover at the SGS WISE Campus. Each academy benefits from two strength and conditioning sessions per week, delivered by our coaches across our two performance gyms. Additionally, a dedicated team of sports rehab professionals is available to support athletes in case of injury. We also collaborate closely with the academic sports department to provide work experience opportunities for students, including sports massage services for sports academy learners. SGS College offers a dedicated ice bath facility for student use. Furthermore, there are various placement opportunities for university-level students in sports psychology, performance analysis, and strength and conditioning. For the 2024-25 academic year, SGS College, in collaboration with the University of Gloucestershire, is launching a paid MSc studentship opportunity. These initiatives aim to develop SGS College into a centre of sporting excellence and research.
The Male Football program kicks off each July with an extensive pre-season period, blending on-field sessions with team-building activities. During this phase, the Male Football programme competes against several professional academies including Fulham FC, Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, and Newport City. The main program runs from September to May, with academic timetables tailored to accommodate access to Sports Academy offerings. Training sessions for SGS Male Football occur on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday mornings, featuring a mix of individual, squad, and unit-based sessions.
The SGS Sport Male Football programme offers a diverse range of competitive fixtures held on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings through various teams and competitions. On Wednesdays, the SGS Sport team competes in BUCS competitions for SGS College University-aged students, while the SGS Sport 1st team participates in the AoC Category 1 League, with the 2nds and 3rds teams competing in the AoC Category 2 league. Additionally, on Saturday mornings, SGS Sport fields a team in the South-West Counties Youth League for Under 17 athletes under the name of Mangotsfield United FC. Furthermore, several experienced players progress to play for partner clubs SGS Stoke Gifford United FC and Mangotsfield United FC. Leading up to Christmas, SGS Male Football also participates in the FA Youth Cup under the banner of Mangotsfield United. In recent years, the squad has reached the FA Youth Cup 1st round twice, facing professional outfits Plymouth Argyle FC at Home Park and Swindon Town FC at home.
To participate in the Male Football program at SGS College, all learners must be enrolled in a full-time academic qualification, such as Vocational qualifications or A Levels. Many learners choose to study disciplines like Sport, Sports Media, or Media at the WISE Campus, while others pursue A Levels or Business Studies at the Filton Campus. For those studying at the Filton Campus, a shuttle bus service is available to facilitate transportation to and from the WISE Campus.
Participation in the Sports Academy provision is contingent upon adherence to the SGS Sport Code of Conduct. This code outlines expectations regarding behaviour, attendance (maintained at 92% across all academic qualifications), timely submission of work, and adherence to sporting conduct standards. Compliance with these requirements ensures learners' eligibility for involvement in the Sports Academy program.
The SGS Sport Male Football programme leverages its connections with several professional clubs, facilitated by the extensive network of the coaching staff within the professional game. This networking often leads to learners progressing to secure professional contracts with renowned clubs such as Brighton & Hove Albion, Bristol City FC, AFC Bournemouth, and Sheffield United.
During their studies at SGS College, learners in the Male Football programme benefit from partnerships with two core clubs: Mangotsfield United FC and SGS Stoke Gifford FC. The collaboration with Mangotsfield United FC involves SGS College competing in the South West Counties league on Saturday mornings and representing Mangotsfield United FC in the FA Youth Cup. Additionally, the Mangotsfield United first team trains at SGS College, providing opportunities for SGS College students and alumni to play for the Mangotsfield United 1st team.
Similarly, the partnership with SGS Stoke Gifford enables players to participate in training and matches for Stoke Gifford at the WISE Campus, offering a clear pathway for learners to progress through senior football pathways.
The SGS Male Football programme stands as one of the leading College Football providers in the country, renowned for its exceptional team and individual achievements.
On a team level, SGS clinched victory in the ECFA Cat 1 South West League for the third consecutive year in 2021. The programme has also secured the South West Counties Youth League (U18) title four times and finished as runners-up twice. Notably, SGS Male Football has advanced to the first round of the FA Youth Cup in recent years, competing as Mangotsfield United U18s and facing formidable opponents like Plymouth Argyle and Swindon Town. In 2019, the SGS Football Academy made history as the first College to triumph in both the National ECFA Premier Cup and the National ECFA Knockout Competition in a single season. Furthermore, in 2023, the academy clinched victory in the ECFA Regional League before being crowned ECFA National Champions 22/23 with a resounding 3-1 win in the final held at Crewe Alexandra.
In the BUCS League system, the SGS Higher Education Male Football Academy boasts an impressive record, securing championships in various divisions including Western 7A (2018/19), Western 6A (20/21), Western 5A (21/22), Western 4A (22/23), and Western 3A (23/24).
Individually, SGS Sport has a longstanding tradition of nurturing talent and guiding learners into the professional game across a spectrum of clubs. Notable alumni include Sean Rigg, Darren Mullins, Martin Horsell, Ollie Clarke, and Chris Lines at Bristol Rovers, Antoine Semenyo, Seiko Janneh, and Tom Harrison at Bristol City, Kacper Lopata at Brighton & Hove Albion, Jai Semenyo at Cardiff City, and Luke Spokes at Grimsby Town. Antoine Semenyo, in particular, made headlines after signing a professional contract with Bristol City FC post-SGS College, subsequently securing a multi-million pound move to AFC Bournemouth. In 2022, Semenyo was part of the Ghana World Cup squad and represented his national team at AFCON.
"SGS! What a place, the college that made me. Coming to SGS College was the best decision I made for my career. The opportunities to play against Professional Clubs allowed me to fulfil my potential. This gave us loads of opportunities to be scouted and potentially sign for them. I was fortunate enough to have had these opportunities and eventually signed for Bristol City FC on a 2 year pro contract. The training and facilities at SGS are fantastic with a massive gym to work on strength and conditioning and 4 pitches for game days and Astro turfs. Not many colleges offer all of that in one." — Antoine Semenyo
"I loved my time at SGS, the facilities and coaching are top tier. And that allowed me to kick on and make a name for myself in professional football." — Kacper Lopata
If you are looking to join our College Academy on a full time Level 1-3 course on either a BTEC or A-Level program then please apply online for the course you want below.
If it is our degree program you are interested in then please click below to see the full list of courses we offer. Then for help with applying through UCAS please email Bev Awre ([email protected]).
University Courses
-Former Hong Kong international player
-International coach and team manager
-National Championship Gold medal winning coach
-Provides expert insight into Chinese training and elite performance
-Master Degree in Sports Management and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration
David played for 20 years as a professional footballer with over 650 senior appearances for Blackpool, Swindon Town, Hull City, Stoke City and Shrewsbury Town gaining 5 promotions. He then established the first ever Football Academy at Cirencester in 1995 winning 10 National Finals. David was then head hunted by Watford back into the pro game as their U18 Coach initially and then as the First Team Coach defeating Leeds Utd at the Millenium Stadium to gain promotion into the Premier League. David has also coached at Southampton, Coventry City, MK Dons as well as being Head Coach at Leeds Utd and Forest Green Rovers.
Last season the SGS Male Football team won 7 trophies including the 2 National College Finals. SGS have since had 6 players sign contracts with pro clubs.
Sam has exprienced academy football all through his youth representing Leeds Utd, York City academies and Coventry City as an U18 apprentice. Furthermore Sam went to play professional football in Sweden representing GIF Sundsvall. Sam has then gone on to begin a coaching career which started here at SGS studying a university course, BSc Sports coaching. Sam Currently coaches both male and female goalkeepers here at SGS and also coaches for Bristol Rovers academy externally.
Craig has worked in the SGS injury clinic since 2010 when he graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Craig is responsible the sports injury clinic where, alongside 4 other therapists, he ensures sports students are receiving a good level of care for their injuries ensuring they can return to activities as quickly and safely as possible. He also oversees the strength and conditioning provision, where 3 qualified coaches support the various academies to aid physical development and team performance. Outside of the academy, Craig works with the Bristol’s only professional basketball team, the Bristol Flyers, whilst lecturing at the University of Gloucestershire. He has also completed a PhD in injury prevention in youth rugby at the University of Bath, publishing in various peer-reviewed journals.
Tom has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is a BASRaT registered therapist. He works in private clinical practices as well as working with Nailsea & Tickenham FC. He has now joined the sports academy team supporting the student athletes in their injury management. Tom will primarily use tailored exercise programs, but also some manual therapy techniques, to help facilitate better movement, reduce pain and, help people return to their activity stronger than they were before. Outside of work, Tom plays two instruments with a band as well as keeping fit with his main sport of swimming.
Will started working at the college in 2018 but he is also an ex-student attending the college from 2010-2012 where he studied a Level 3 BTEC in Sports performance and excellence and was a member of the American Football academy. After graduating from SGS, Will spent 6 months in Canada at a Prep school playing against some top high schools in America before coming back to study at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he graduated with a BCs (Hons) degree in Sports Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage. Whilst completing his degree he also interned with the Cardiff Met performance sports teams during his third year and gained experience within multiple sports.
Pip started in the sports injury clinic at SGS in 2022 after graduating from the university of Worcester with a degree in Sports Therapy, where she gained skills in sports massage, injury assessment and rehabilitation and electrotherapy modalities. Pip is also qualified in RFU accredited Pre-hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) first aid.
Outside of the college, Pip also works for National League 2 rugby team Dings Crusaders and for private clinic Top to Toe Physiotherapy in their clinics across Bristol and Bath. Pip also has experience working in the BBL and alongside university sports teams.
Dan is an experienced strength and conditioning coach working with top level athletes and individuals at all fitness levels. Having been involved developing athlete’s physical qualities in an abundance of sports, Dan has previously worked within multiple Professional Sports Clubs, National Governing Bodies, and University and College sport teams. Holding MSc Strength and Conditioning, and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science qualifications, he is also a BASES Supervised Sport and Exercise Scientist. Dan’s strong passion and experience in sport and exercise aspires to support the student athlete to reach their true potential and help develop the strength and conditioning programme at the College.
I graduated from UWE in 2022 with a degree in Sport Rehabilitation. Additional qualifications include the RFU-accredited Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) and myofascial cupping. Alongside SGS I currently work as the Lead Academy Sports Therapist for Chippenham Town FC, and as a Sports Therapist at Philgood Rehabilitation. Previous experience includes working with UWE Sport teams (Football, Rugby, and Lacrosse) and within the UWE Injury Clinic. As well as this I spent 6 months working for Southwest Pitch-Side Trauma Care, which involved first aid support for rugby teams around Bristol. Outside of the college, I play drums in a rock band and have competed in football and kickboxing.
Max started working at the college in 2022. He completed his BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Strength and conditioning and is currently undertaking his MSc (Hons) in Spots Strength and Conditioning, from the university of Gloucestershire. Max has had experience with a multitude of different teams from Bristol Bears woman’s to Bristol City u21 woman’s yet his most recent position was with Severn Stars netball. Here he was head of the academy’s strength and conditioning programme, while also working extensively with the first team. Alongside his role within SGS he also works with the university of Gloucestershire carrying out strength and conditioning sessions for the university teams.