News & Events

Southend United Community Foundation Head of Education, Andy Edmunds has provided an update on how our Post 16 Football & Education Programme is going from strength to strength.

The first half of the Autumn term for the Post 16 Education programmes has been a huge success, with a large amount of student enrolments from young people in the local area. Students enrolled onto our National recognised BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC programmes (all U19 provision) and had a successful pre-season from 1^st July 2024.

The start of the academic year saw a new structure to the Education team with the Education Department now overseeing the SUFC Youth Team (Academy U17’s and U19’s) where all learners will be playing in the National League Alliance South Division and Division A respectively. Danny Heath (Academy manager), Oisin Seager, Tom Bailey, and Harry Benefield make up the elite coaching team for this academic year, who have been working hard behind the scenes and built a strong relationship with the boys. The new and current CEFA academic learners have settled in well, working extremely hard both on and off the pitch, with their football and BTEC college work.

Also, due to the expansion of the education department, there was a positive increase in the amount of education tutors, where we successfully recruited Oisin Seager, Charlie Ann Sanders and Jamie Bradbourn, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the SUCF Community Foundation.

Alex Clark (ex-academy player) has continued where he left off from the last academic year in his role as Head of Coaching and drive our enrichment / recruitment for 2024-25. He has been networking and liaising with local schools, clubs and community groups within the area to find the next future stars to come through the programme. Also, through the continued hard work and commitment within the foundation, Luke Reeve will be continuing his duties managing the CEFA B team, Elliot Booth will be working with the CEFA C team and Billy Appleton managing the CEFA D team. All the coaching team are UEFA qualified coaches, and we wish them well in their new roles at the foundation.

Our programmes offer different education and football pathways where alongside their college experience, we provide a professional football provision, with players being placed in appropriate squads. The teams have their own enrichment programme which consists of training, strength and conditioning sessions, VEO analysis workshops, opportunities to play against our u19 academy players and educational trips / friendlies against other teams across the country. Our home pitch is Garon Park Astroturf which we have sole use from 9am-4pm every day and play showcase matches at Southend United Football Stadium, where you would only get these opportunities at our college.

On the pitch, football results have been positive, and the students are developing in the short amount of time they have working together. SUCF teams compete in the EFL Community & Education Football Alliance League and enjoy playing against the likes of Norwich, Brentford, Fulham, Chelsea and Watford, who are some of the teams in our region.

For the last 6/7 weeks, it has been extremely busy where we have been visiting secondary schools and careers events to raise awareness, network and promote our September 2025 education provision. This is a very important role where we provide current year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students with the exciting opportunities available for them within further education and higher education, here at Southend United Community Foundation.

Alongside visiting schools, the Foundation have set up and built in a short space of time shadow squads, development centres and centre of excellence programmes, so young aspiring athletes can be part of the Southend experience, from as young as u9’s all the way through to the u16’s.

We hosted our first ‘Recruitment Day’ for the academic year during October half term, showcasing our exciting opportunities within the department. Alex Clark and the team delivered practical sessions for students and parents were invited to view our facilities. Applications are now open for September 2025 and if you wish to find out more information or apply for the 2025/26 academic year, please visit our website www.sufccommunityco.uk or contact Andy Edmunds on 07538 350 457 / [email protected].

I would like to finish by thanking my staff for all their hard work during the first term. They have helped generate a positive learning environment for our current and new students, to enjoy their football and reach their full potential. I would also like to thank colleagues within Southend United Community Foundation, my CEO Dale Spiby, Southend United Football Club, our trustees and partner education provider Southend Adult Community College, who continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes, to make a positive experience for our students and people within the local community.

Up the shrimpers!

Andy Edmunds

Head of Education