Trust Squad Feels the Heat

...to participate in a number of guest games and training sessions over next two weeks. The squad will have the opportunity to impress and catch the eye of universities to try and secure a football scholarship at some of the most illustrious universities in America. 

Also during their ten-day stay, the squad will have the opportunity to tour the campuses of the universities, speak to lecturers, and gain a real insight into university life. The team will play in four competitive games to which coaches from Florida’s universities have been invited. In addition, the Argyle team will train on a daily basis under the guidance of Community Trust staff Mark Gammon and Lee Britchford to ensure that all players adapt to the heat prior to the games. They will also be involved in a number of guest coaching sessions with Hernando Heat FC.

Community Manager Mark Lovell said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our Under-18 development team to have the chance to see university studies abroad and, even more so, the opportunity to trial for university whilst over there. 

“The facilities and programmes that the universities run in America are first class and this could help shape some of the boys’ careers in football and academically.  I would like to thank Hernando Heat FC for helping organise this trip and we look forward to developing a partnership with them over the next few years.”

In addition to the football and education section, the team also gets the opportunity to experience the culture and holiday destination of Orlando with a number of days out to different areas, such as the theme parks and beaches.

The tour is part of the Argyle Community Scholarship programme and is designed for players who did not get the opportunity to sign apprenticeships at professional football clubs and who may have want to continue their football aspirations alongside education. 

The programme is now in its sixth year and has seen boys who play for Argyle Under-18s gain apprenticeships at football clubs or go on to universities at home and abroad. Most notably this year, the first team won the Premier and Football Under-18 league and the second and ladies teams won their respective British College leagues. 

For more information, please contact the Community Department on 01752 562561, option 4, or email community@pafc.co.uk.