We are excited to have renewed our partnership with Harrogate Town AFC.

Our continued support for the club’s Player Pathway Programme will see us extending the work we are doing to help young footballers explore their options both on, and off, the pitch.

Since beginning our sponsorship of the programme and its Emerging Talent Centre in 2023, this collaboration has resulted in a number of initiatives designed to shine a light on educational and work opportunities.

Inspiring and empowering the next generation

Those have included careers talks featuring presentations from local industry experts including our Principal, Danny Wild, who has a background in elite sports coaching.

He said: “It has been a pleasure to support Harrogate Town AFC’s Player Pathway Programme, and we are really excited to renew the partnership.

“The club, like our college, is focused on inspiring and empowering the district’s young people and opening up opportunities for them to shine and fulfil their potential.

“We look forward to working closely together over the next two years, and to holding further careers sessions to showcase the range of options that are available to the club’s young players.”

Creating lifelong opportunities

Harrogate Town AFC Director of Youth Football, Josh Falkingham, said: “This partnership with Harrogate College continues to be an important part of our youth setup.

“It gives our players a chance to explore the wider opportunities that come from being involved in football, from education to future careers. The alignment in values between the club and college means we’re not only developing footballers, but well-rounded young people who are ready to succeed in the path they choose.”

The club’s Commercial Director, Jo Towler, added: “We’re thrilled to continue building on our relationship with the college.

“Their investment and enthusiasm have had a real impact on our youth pathway and community engagement. It’s partnerships like this that make a tangible difference, combining education and sport to create lifelong opportunities for local young people.”

Harrogate College held its first careers session in partnership with Harrogate Town AFC, welcoming young players from the club’s U14 to U16 Player Development Centre (PDC). The event aimed to inspire and inform these aspiring footballers about the many routes their passion for the game could take them, both on and off the pitch.

The evening opened with an engaging talk from Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, who drew on his background in elite sports coaching. His transition from sports to education leadership resonated particularly well with the young audience, demonstrating how skills developed in sport can open doors to a wide range of careers.

Brody Pattison, Harrogate Town’s content creator, followed with a unique and relatable perspective. Starting a YouTube channel at just 13, Brody carved out his own path into a role he now thrives in – showing that creativity and initiative can lead to exciting opportunities within the world of football.

Sarah Barry, CEO of Harrogate Town AFC, closed the speaker segment with an inspiring talk about her journey to becoming a chief executive. Her story, full of determination and resilience, offered a real-life example of where ambition and hard work can lead.

Practical guidance came from Anita, part of the college’s transitions team, who gave an overview of the various options available after GCSEs.

Her advice helped demystify the decision-making process and provided useful tips for choosing the right next step, whether that be A-levels, vocational courses, or apprenticeships.

Parents who attended the session shared glowing feedback. One, with two sons in the U15 group, said: “I found the talks really interesting. I wasn’t sure how my two lads would take it but both listened attentively throughout – this isn’t always the case! I’m keen for them to explore what they might do in the future and using one of their passions, football, was a good way of doing this. More of this please.”

Another commented, “The host and all the speakers were very good. I think if we’d had time to ‘mingle’ at the end, we’d have stayed and asked a few questions of each of the speakers. We’ll definitely be at the next one!”

A parent of a U14 player added, “The careers talk was very informative and gave the boys a wider perspective on the journey their love of football can take them. The speakers were passionate and gave the boys a good insight into the different paths careers can take and said the focus was ‘if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.’”

Jo Towler, Commercial Director at Harrogate Town AFC, praised the partnership, saying, “Harrogate College is a vital resource for the local educational and business community, and we appreciate their support for our club and the wider Harrogate District. Our collaboration on the recent careers session adds an important educational element to helping us inspire and develop young people in their future career choices and pathways.”

This session builds on two years of meaningful collaboration between Harrogate College and Harrogate Town AFC, with both organisations continuing to explore ways to support and inspire the next generation through the power of football.

Image credit: Brody Pattison

We are thrilled to announce that we have become the official sponsor of Harrogate Town AFC’s Player Development Centre.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment from the college and the club to help young people – in this case the district’s aspiring footballers – grow and succeed.

The Player Development Centre offers a platform for junior players to refine their skills, nurture their passion, and achieve their full potential.

Happy to team up with a brilliant club

Principal Danny Wild has visited the club to see the players receiving their new, Harrogate College branded, kit. He said: “Harrogate Town AFC, just like our college, is committed to giving great opportunities to the district’s young people to help them flourish and grow.

“Collaborating with brilliant local organisations is in our DNA, and we know that sport brings all kinds of benefits – physical, mental and social – to those involved. So we are proud to be supporting the club, our local community and its aspiring young footballers in this way.”

Valuable support will make a difference

Harrogate Town AFC Commercial Director, Jo Towler, added: “We are delighted that Harrogate College has become the official sponsor of our Player Development Centre.

“The partnership reflects our shared dedication to supporting young people and fostering their development both on and off the field. We are excited to work closely with the college to create a positive impact on the local community.”