Northumberland College and Morpeth Town AFC launch Women’s Football Academy

Northumberland College and Morpeth Town AFC are building on their successful partnership by launching a Women’s Football Academy from September.

The college and the Northern Premier League side teamed up last year to offer a student-athlete programme which combines professional football coaching and competitive matches with outstanding education.

The Academies will offer clear progression routes into senior football, Higher Education and a range of careers.

In a first for a full-time football academy, student-athletes can choose a wide range of technical courses aligned to local skills needs such as Engineering and Construction – alongside Sport – while playing in competitions including the National Football Youth League, the ECFA League and the prestigious FA Youth Cup.

Steven Shaw, Football Operations Manager at Morpeth Town AFC said: “Whenever we have marketed our men’s academy, we’ve always had comments regarding there being a lack of a female programme.

“Through our collaboration with Morpeth Town Juniors which saw the creation of a senior women’s team which has achieved two promotions, we feel the pathway of grassroots to student athlete to senior football is there now there with Morpeth Town AFC.

“What is also important is that players can continue to play for their grassroots club at a weekend as the full-time training will benefit those clubs too. With our partnership with Northumberland College and their outstanding education provision there are many different routes that are available players in thew academies.”

The unique programme for female footballers, programme will serve as a pathway to the Morpeth Town AFC Women’s first team.

Alongside their studies at the college’s Ashington Campus, student-athletes will receive sports science support with sports therapy, GPS data, match analysis and strength and conditioning support.

The partnership will further grow further in the coming years, with the academy offering land-based courses at Northumberland College’s top performing land-based Kirkley Hall Campus.

In 2026, Northumberland College will move its provision to the Ashington Campus at Wansbeck Business Park, which will boast an impressive range of first-class sports facilities.

Dr Michele Di Mascio, Head of Sports Academies, Partnerships and Wellbeing at Education Partnership North East (EPNE) said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the local area and beyond, ensuring that school leavers have the platform to flourish with both their football and education.

“Morpeth Town have been fantastic in their first year with us and will continue to develop alongside the addition of a new female academy. I am excited to see what the future looks like with Northumberland College and Morpeth Town. Our recent Outstanding Ofsted rating gives both student-athletes and parents the confidence to thrive.”

Student-athlete Matt Griggs, who previously studied Level 3 in Sport and Physical Activity and is now studying a Diploma in Gym Instructing & Personal Training, said: “The Football Academy has provided me with the opportunity to develop as a footballer alongside continuing with an education programme that I am passionate about. The pathway into senior football has been excellent and helped me play in the Northern Premier League. I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do when I started but now have multiple options of university, a career and/or playing football.”

Male Football Academy graduates have already represented senior clubs as well as making their college international debuts. They have had more than 10 players representing Morpeth Town’s first team in the Northern Premier League. The Women’s side are currently competing in the Northumberland Premier League after successful promotions and will be competing in the FA Cup.