Regrettably following the statement issued by Hartlepool College of Further Education (HCFE) today there has been a great deal of negative speculation.
The Club was disappointed that the HCFE communication was put out without collaboration of the Club as a current Academy partner and without full background.
Consequently, the Club feels it must provide the following information and context.
We hope the update here provides information and firm assurances relating to the Club Academy programme, including some initial insight into an exciting expansion that will be available to more players, students, the football club and the town.
Over the last 5 years the Club have enjoyed an excellent relationship with HCFE and it puts on record its formal thanks to the College. The Club will be honouring its current agreement with HCFE including for second-year student-players that will continue their education at HCFE.
The Club has always been transparent in its aim to build a sustainable and successful Academy programme that is not solely underpinned and beholden to EFL Academy funding – EFL Academy funding has been an unreliable basis for a programme over the past 10+ years causing transitional crisis on several occasions.
The focus over the last 5 years has been to develop an Academy pathway in conjunction with education partners and local clubs. There are multiple examples of such programmes across the UK with extensive benefits.
Following several years of initial development, a next stage objective to add complementary Further Education (16-18yrs) and Higher Education (18+ yrs) course options for Academy players was discussed with HCFE.
HCFE initially agreed to explore this as an exciting progression for the Academy programme and HUFC staff carried out an extensive piece of work to assess options. These options were recently presented to HCFE as a current Academy partner. The Club viewed this as a collective opportunity for both organisations to significantly enhance the Academy offering with greater complementary education options and shared resource opportunities.
Subsequently and regrettably HCFE stated that they would not be able to collaboratively work with a newly identified Further Education provider due to historical events between the two organisations. HCFE also identified that they would need to terminate the current HUFC-HCFE agreement should the Club Academy programme decided to progress any such agreement.
That position was wholly unexpected and as an independent the Club felt it wasn’t its place to become party with external disputes, which not only prevent the development of the Academy programme but also inadvertently block Academy education opportunities for young people in the town.
The Club’s view was that student-players should be allowed to freely choose their education options and pathways on merit of the provider. Moreover, at its core the Club Academy is keen to support young student-players with the best possible array of Hartlepool based options and opportunities for both their sporting and education development.
The Club’s firm preference was to work with HCFE as an existing partner, alongside complementary additional partners to provide a complete ‘Hartlepool based model’, but regrettably HCFE identified that wasn’t possible.
A new Hartlepool based Academy education partner will be announced in the coming days with student-players training and educated in the town. An initial 5 year agreement will give the Academy programme much needed long term financial security together with additional specialist facilities and coaching staff, a wider geographical coverage and expanded course options to offer players. More details on this exciting partnership will follow.
