MAximum Velocity

Eddie Odhiambo on Academy progress with Velocity

It’s a big week for the latest group of scholars to enter the Velocity Education programme here at the MGroup Stadium.

 

Established in 2020, hundreds of youngsters have now graduated, some continuing their path into football and others moving into other roles in full time work, as Eddie Odhiambo told us

 

"Last season finished with everyone completing their qualifications and getting their results back and then there was further exploration of their  next destinations

 “For some they returned back to us, we helped others find pastures new. That's a really enjoyable part of Velocity for me,  seeing where learners go next and the sheer variety of roles they can go to.

 “t's always great when I get an email requesting a reference for whatever job or role it is or education setting. We take a lot of pride in that, in getting those references,  I'm also saying I always talk about football last!

.“We are trying to set them up to be able to deal with life, to make sure they have a pathway through to education, employment or training, and then it just so happens that they might be able to play in football at a high level as well!

 

“We have a really strong pass rate success rate for our Level 3 programme, extended diploma. We are consistently a top performer within our region, for attendance, for outcomes, and so on. That happens consistently, and we maintain relationships where we're effectively building an alumni of Velocity learners. It’s fantastic when they come back and tell us about their stories, which they do, which we build into our programme; people who are excellent in their field of excellence, coming back to share their pathways". 

 

Football wise it’s been good this summer to see Kauan and Max Treml staying on a football apprentices, with Sophie Lester, Yas Edwards and a number of other girls following the well-trodden path from Velocity into the Women’s First Team Squad.

 

“ Yes, and  Tyrae and Aydin Ulas as well who are both in the first team squad at the moment. They just happened to take every opportunity that was given to them in terms of developing themselves physically and their attitudes were just first-rate, They had an excellent fixture program with our under19s and they gave themselves every opportunity

 

“That's why we've continued our investment into them as young people.

“And the girls program has seen Aliyah have a massive influence on those players. She's won a league and then finished the highest place they’ve ever finished in the league above. All our girls are fortunate to have her and to have a genuine pathway to play senior football".

 

At which point does the new cohort start to take shape?

 

“Recruitment is ongoing. We recruit predominantly from our own internal junior youth teams and local schools, so recruitment is perpetual, where we go into schools and the career evenings and have our own open evenings

 

“The new group report back on September 1st. They've already been in through the summer for pre season, which is like an informal integration into velocity and allows them to have a look at the environment they're coming into, and allows us to get ahead in terms of assessing our squads and seeing what relationships can be built on, so when day one arrives, it's not day one because they've already been in here”

 

"The way this site works with multiple departments going on, it's been very busy this term this summer, It's been a really hectic summer but having the learners in at that time when we don't need to, we choose to do this, because it’s the right thing to do, to get some off their sofas after the exam period.  And it reassures them as well. Support and safeguarding, well-being and welfare that's taken into consideration before they get on site, while they're on-site, and beyond when they leave.”

 

So, finally, if there’s anyone out there wondering what to do next, is it too late to come and join us and continue their education? 

 

“No. It's always worth enquiring because I'll support anyone to find any young person an appropriate place, so it's always worth an inquiry as to opportunity.