The Programme

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.

Academic Qualifications

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.

Partners and Progression

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.

Our Alumni and Academy Success

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