Players sign-up to our Football Academy run in partnership with Leyton Orient.
New players from the Football Academy at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North London (CONEL) have signed ‘contracts’ with Leyton Orient Football Club.
The College has run the Academy in partnership with the League Two side since 2013, and has elite and second teams, which play in the Association of Colleges Football League.
Players from all teams were given the football star treatment as they put pen to paper and posed in front of the a press conference backdrop at the club’s Matchroom Stadium.
Countersigning the ‘contacts’ were former professional footballer Miguel De Sousa, now Head of Youth Recruitment at Leyton Orient, and Jonathan Silman, CONEL’s Head of School for Sport.
More players sign-up to our Football Academy.
The ‘contracts’ outlined what the players get by joining the Football Academy, which includes coaching from ex-footballers Mark Bentley and Darren Baker from Leyton Orient Academy.
They also get access to our Sports Centre, including gym and fitness suite, technical analysis of games and performance, tailored fitness programmes, physio and medical support, and also a free training kit, which was handed out at the event.
“I love everything about football, from planning tactics to playing games, and the emotion win or lose,” said Academy player Joshua Da-Ibanga, 18.
“The partnership [with Leyton Orient] is an good opportunity for us to show our skills to Leyton Orient, and maybe go as far as to play for them professionally.
“The coaching is very good and professional and at a high intensity. It will definitely improve my game, 100% for sure.”
Teammate Kacper Dus, 16, added: “The coaching at the Academy is nothing like I’ve experienced before.
“I’ve learnt a lot since I joined, about cardiovascular fitness and new drills and skills and improvements to my game, which will help me become a better player.”
Players collected their new training kit at the Leyton Orient's Matchroom Stadium.
The players also heard more about a football tournament in Spain next year where they will have the chance to play alongside other European youth teams.
Tobe eligible to be considered for the Academy, players must be enrolled on a full-time programme of study at the College’s Enfield Centre and be aged 16 to 18 on 31 August of their enrolling year.
Click here to find out more about our Football Academy.