St Mary’s University partners with Kinetic Foundation to support young footballers

St Mary’s University, London, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Kinetic Foundation to create a clear academic and sporting pathway into higher education for young footballers, supporting wider participation and progression into university study.

Developed with Sport St Mary’s and the University’s academic departments, the partnership will enable Kinetic Academy graduates and other aspiring football players to combine undergraduate study with structured football training and competition, supported by experienced Kinetic coaches and St Mary’s facilities and student support environment.

St Mary’s Performance Football programme

Talented footballers will be able to apply to study across the full range of degree programmes offered by St Mary’s, while benefiting from performance-focused coaching, competitive fixtures and access to Kinetic’s football network, including showcase matches and talent identification opportunities.

Kinetic works in partnership with a number of secondary schools across London, supporting students aged 16-18 who are combining post-16 education with football and educational development, as well as offering free weekly community football sessions. Many come from low-income households and communities traditionally under-represented in higher education, with the programme designed to support progression into university, training or employment.

St Mary’s students studying sport-related disciplines will also gain practical experience by supporting elements of the programme in areas such as performance analysis, strength and conditioning, and sport rehabilitation.

Kinetic coaching staff will additionally support St Mary’s men’s first and second football teams in the BUCS leagues. To date, Kinetic coaches have played a part in 82 players from the Kinetic Academy signing for professional clubs.

Andrew Reid-Smith, Head of Sport at St Mary’s University, said: “This partnership gives talented young footballers the chance to combine serious sporting ambition with a university education, opening meaningful pathways beyond the professional game alone.

It builds on our work as an England Athletics Talent Hub, where we have a strong record of supporting athletes to balance elite performance with academic success. Bringing that same dual-career approach into football aligns closely with our mission to support people to flourish.”

Jessica Hill, Executive Dean of Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, shared: “This partnership creates a clear and credible pathway that allows students to combine high-level football with a university education, creating meaningful opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds.”

James Fotheringham, Chief Executive Officer at the Kinetic Foundation, added: “We are excited to see this partnership come to life, offering the young people we work with and beyond the opportunity to continue playing with our coaches at a very high level on their doorstep in London.

This collaboration is a key part of our strategy to build pathways beyond sixth-form age and further our mission of increasing social mobility through the power of football.”

By combining high-quality education with football development, the partnership aims to ensure that talented young players are equipped with both sporting opportunities and the qualifications needed to succeed beyond the pitch.

For more information about the programme, contact performancefootball@stmarys.ac.uk, or register your interest via the webpage