UKAT College Academy Football Programme in association with Chelsea FC
The University of Kent Academies Trust is delighted to announce a partnership with Chelsea FC to provide sporting and educational provision for its students. The flagship of this is UKAT establishing a College Academy Football Programme for the Kent region, where Sixth Form students will benefit from professional coaching and competitive football, opportunities to undertake additional qualifications as well as a range of select enrichment events and visits to Chelsea FC facilities and training centres. From 2026, this collaboration will establish a girls’ football team in a unique and forward-leaping initiative to widen participation and support the national growth of women’s football.
Through this exclusive partnership, UKAT will be leveraging Chelsea FC’s experience, resources and status as a global, multi-billion-pound organisation with a prestigious sporting lineage to serve our communities.
Opportunities within this programme include:
Multiple progression routes offered to players of the College Academy including opportunities for American Scholarships, pathway to St Mary’s university, employment at Chelsea FC and routes into semi-pro football clubs.
Establishing UKAT as a hub to deliver coaching and outreach to Kent primary schools.
Delivery of multiple Player Development Pathways to identify and fast-track talented individuals and increase participation in sport.
Enabling UKAT students access to Chelsea FC facilities where they can interact with sporting and non-sporting experts to further their understanding and knowledge of key careers and related fields.
Participation in regional, national and international tournaments.
Engagement from Chelsea FC with year groups across UKAT to engage and enthuse students in sport and raise awareness of healthy lifestyle choices and the benefits of sport and exercise.
STATEMENT FROM UKAT CEO, ALLAN OSBORNE
“I am thrilled that UKAT students will benefit from this collaboration with a world-leading sporting brand to deliver an exciting and vibrant programme that will enhance and enrich their education and build pathways to careers and future vocations. This project represents another important step in enhancing UKAT’s student offer, widening and diversifying opportunities and is fully aligned to our values and mission as a Trust.”
STATEMENT FROM CHELSEA FC POST 16 PROGRAMME LEAD ESSEX & KENT, THOMAS GOODER
" We are delighted to be working with UKAT and its partnered schools. This will become our flagship programme in the region where we will house both male and female Post 16 sides. We look forward to working with the students and staff alike, providing them all with the full Chelsea experience."
