Starting from the upcoming academic year, the Palace for Life Foundation – associated with a top-flight English team, Crystal Palace – expands its offer for young footballers. First days of a 2026/27 term also marks a start of another football and education programme that combines high-level sport development with academic study.
The programme is designed to give young players, aged between 16-19 years, the opportunity to develop their football skills while pursuing their education. It is a very specific time of their lives – the transition after the age of 16 can be an important moment for young players. Some of them continue on an elite football pathway, while others may face changes in their sporting careers.
Combining football and education can help young people to keep more than one pathway open. They can be better prepared for they different, possible futures.
The Palace for Life programme brings these two areas together, offering young players the opportunity to develop on the pitch while continuing their academic journey.
The key goals:
- Train in a professional football environment
- Study A-Levels and/or vocational qualifications
- Develop leadership, resilience, and employability skills
Such programmes demonstrate how football organisations can create environments in which young players do not have to choose between their sporting ambitions and education.
If you’re interested in the details, check out the Palace for Life landingpage, dedicated strictly to the programme. More information available [HERE].