Train like a pro. Learn like a scholar.
Two years. Full-time football. A qualification worth three A Levels. Free for 16 to 18 year olds, and delivered by Plymouth Argyle’s official charity across Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Cornwall.
The Programme
Football and education. Side by side.
Our programme is for young people aged 16 to 18 who want to keep developing as players without giving up on their education.
Students study a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, equivalent to three A Levels, while training and competing as Argyle Post-16 players. It is the largest Post-16 football programme in the South West, and it is built around one idea: you can chase the game and still leave with options.
Everything is delivered by Argyle Community Trust staff. Our teachers are fully qualified (PGCE, QTLS) and hold UEFA coaching licences, so what happens in the classroom connects to what happens on the pitch.
The Performance Pathway
The pathway is real.
Our players train and compete with direct links to the Plymouth Argyle Women’s and Men’s academy and first team setups. Staff from both see our players regularly. Opportunities are earned, not promised.
This year alone:
- Five players have made the step up into the Argyle Women’s first team
- One player has trained with the Men’s first team and been taken on by the academy
Our students have also gone on to play for clubs including Plymouth Parkway, Weston-super-Mare and sides in the Cymru Premier. Many play Step 5 football while they are still on the course.
The Football Week
Up to ten hours a week. Every hour planned.
Players train up to ten hours each week, including:
- Technical and tactical sessions
- Strength and conditioning
- Futsal
- Planned recovery sessions
Players in Plymouth and Newton Abbot also have access to a twice-weekly injury and rehab clinic, supported by City College Plymouth.
Wednesdays are matchday.
Every player represents Plymouth Argyle in competitive league football. Our men’s and women’s teams compete across three leagues:
- NFYL (National Football Youth League)
- CEFA (EFL Community & Education Football Alliance)
- AOC (Association of Colleges)
That means regular fixtures against the college and academy pathway sides of clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Brentford, Wolves, QPR, Norwich City, Ipswich Town, AFC Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers, plus local rivals Exeter City and Exeter College.
Current Women’s NFYL Premier champions. Multiple current South West CEFA league champions.
Beyond the Pitch
More than a football course.
The programme builds discipline, independence and professionalism. Students leave with:
- Competitive playing experience
- A recognised qualification with full UCAS value
- A clear plan for their next step
Where our students go next:
- Professional and semi-professional football
- University, including scholarships in the USA. Five students from last year’s group earned US scholarships worth up to 95% of their costs.
- Coaching and sport-related careers
- Apprenticeships and employment
Optional third year. Students can stay on for a third year and gain an additional YMCA qualification in Personal Training.
Our Staff
Coached by people who have been there.
All of our teams are led by UEFA qualified coaches, with guidance from former professionals including Gary Sawyer, Jamie Day, and Marcus Martin.
Our Sites
Three locations. Two pathways. One club.
Plymouth: Foulston Park Qualification awarded by City College Plymouth. Twice-weekly injury and rehab clinic on site. Contact: daniel.yeoman@pafc.co.uk, or register your interest here: https://forms.gle/n1diABbdWHNJkioj7
Newton Abbot: Coach Road Qualification awarded by City College Plymouth. Twice-weekly injury and rehab clinic on site. Contact: matt.scholes@pafc.co.uk, or register your interest here: https://forms.gle/YR6vk7KeuHGkBdYK7
Cornwall: Cornwall College, Camborne Qualification awarded by Cornwall College. Contact: jamie.day@pafc.co.uk, or register your interest here: https://forms.gle/xYSuERJGqCfrPg826
Duchy College
Duchy College Programme
Delivered in partnership with Duchy College Stoke Climsland, this programme offers an NCFE Diploma in Sports Coaching at Level 2 or Level 3 (equivalent to three A Levels), depending on your entry grades.
The course is fully coursework based, with no end of year exams. You will train with Argyle Community Trust staff on each timetabled day and compete in the CEFA league alongside your studies. You will also develop your coaching by working with Trust staff, with work experience placements available across East Cornwall and North Devon.
Contact: stewart.may@cornwall.ac.uk
Elite Hub
Not in Year 11 yet?
Our Elite Hub is a development pathway for Under 14 and Under 15 players, run by the same qualified coaches who deliver the Post-16 programme. It is the best way to experience the Argyle way before you apply.
To find out more, contact charlie.huyton@pafc.co.uk
Open Training
Open Training. October 2026.
Open to all Year 11 and Year 12 male and female footballers interested in starting in September 2027.
Monday 26th October
- Newton Abbot, Coach Road: 11am to 1:30pm
- Cornwall College (boys session): 10am to 12pm
Tuesday 27th October
- Plymouth, Foulston Park: 3pm to 5pm
- Cornwall College (girls session): 10am to 12pm
Book your space using the form for your site:
- Plymouth https://forms.gle/n1diABbdWHNJkioj7
- Newton Abbot https://forms.gle/YR6vk7KeuHGkBdYK7
- Cornwall https://forms.gle/xYSuERJGqCfrPg826
Open evenings and trial dates will follow.
FAQs
Who can apply? Male and female players aged 16 to 18, starting from Year 11.
What are the entry requirements? Grade 4 in English and Maths. If you don’t meet these, still get in touch. We can support you to get on the course.
Do I need to be at an academy already? No. We select on ability, attitude and potential.
Is it full-time? Yes. It is a two-year, full-time programme combining football and education, with an optional third year.
Does it cost anything? No. The programme is free for 16 to 18 year olds, as it counts as full-time education.
Will I still be able to go to university? Yes. The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma carries the same UCAS value as three A Levels.
Which site should I apply for? Whichever is closest to you. Every site trains, competes and studies to the same standard.
Follow the Programme
See it for yourself.
Matchdays, training, results and student stories, every week.
- Instagram: @argylepost16education
- TikTok: @argylepost16education
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Facebook: Argyle Post-16 Education: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588186560334
Train like a pro. Learn like a scholar.