Up the Dale! College kicks off exciting new partnership with Rochdale AFC

Hopwood Hall College and Rochdale AFC are teaming up to develop a new generation for the football industry.

Starting in September 2027, the college’s BTEC Sport with Football qualification will be delivered in partnership with local favourites The Dale.

This means young people with a passion for football will have exciting new opportunities when studying at the college’s Middleton Campus.

Those enrolling for the course can look forward to weekly training sessions with professional coaches from Rochdale AFC.

Students can also get closer to the action, with the chance to attend one free game each term at Crown Oil Arena.

Then, at the end of each season, they will even play a fixture at the stadium.

The partnership paves the way for both the college’s boys’ and girls’ teams to find even more success on the pitch.

In addition, Rochdale AFC’s scholars are now taking their game to the next level by having lessons at Hopwood Hall.

The cohort – five of which were recently selected for Dale’s first team squad for a clash against Liverpool Under-21s – will learn from the college’s expert tutors at the Middleton Campus.

This campus has extensive sporting facilities, including a floodlit 3G astroturf pitch and four grass pitches, which are suitable for two full-team fixtures.

These training facilities are perfectly equipped to ensure that players can continue to make strides in the sport.

Julia Heap OBE, Principal and CEO of Hopwood Hall College, said: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Rochdale AFC and are very excited about what this partnership means for young people who are pursuing their passion for football.

“The club shares our ambition for nurturing local talent and ensuring they’re able to perform at the top of their game right here in Rochdale.

“I’m so excited for what the future holds – both for the scholars at Rochdale AFC and for those studying football at Hopwood Hall College.”

Laura Thomas, CEO of Rochdale AFC, said: “This is an exciting partnership for Rochdale AFC and one that allows us to continue making a positive impact in our local community.

“The Club’s owners, the Ogden Family, are incredibly passionate about the future of Rochdale as a town, and providing this opportunity for young people is an important step in that future.

“We’re looking forward to working in partnership with Hopwood Hall College.”

Kris Robinson, Director of Curriculum at Hopwood Hall College, said: “Since our Football Academy was established in 2000, it has been our ambition to develop a meaningful partnership with Rochdale AFC, two institutions that play an important role in the life of our borough.

“We are delighted to see that ambition realised through a collaboration that will create exceptional opportunities for local young people to succeed both academically and professionally. Up the Dale!”

Zoe Staniczenko, Director of Curriculum for Sport at Hopwood Hall College, said: “The college’s Football Academy has experienced great growth over recent years, particularly from females.

“In fact, our girls’ team have enjoyed so much success and even won the AOC Northwest Regional League South 9-a-side.

“I’m so proud of what they’ve achieved and have no doubt that our girls’ and boys’ teams will be able to achieve even more thanks to this new partnership with Rochdale AFC.”

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