St Mary’s University and Chelsea Foundation Extend Partnership

St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU) and Chelsea Foundation have announced a five-year extension to the Chelsea FC Foundation Coaching and Development degree programme at SMU.

The undergraduate programme, which has been running since 2016, sees SMU students study a variety of modules to help develop an in-depth understanding of the football industry across coaching, performance analysis, and social change.

SMU students also complete work placements as part of the degree, gaining hands-on experience across a variety of activities, including disability football and schools education.

Speaking on this extension Subject Lead for Football and Performance Analysis at St Mary’s, Mike Gilham, said, “We are really pleased to continue our relationship with Chelsea Foundation for a five-year period. The role the Foundation and club play in developing students’ skills is outstanding and supports our ambitions to deliver a purposeful degree programme with strong employability outcomes.”

Sam Gaskin-Kemp, Head of Community and Education at Chelsea Foundation, added, “We are delighted to continue working alongside St Mary’s University with the Chelsea FC Foundation Coaching and Development degree programme. This provides students with a unique opportunity to develop their football and educational skills, alongside extensive learning about the power of football within local communities.”

A number of graduates from the programme are have gone onto employment by Chelsea FC Foundation, club community organisations, or the wider industry on a full-time basis.

Find out more about the Chelsea FC Foundation Coaching and Development degree.