Ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has described seeing the progress of students at his football and education academy as a "great buzz". The academy, launched in 2011, provides a programme for 16-19 year olds who might otherwise have left formal education.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell visited the Mossley Hill site on Friday to understand how football engages young people who are not following traditional academic routes. Gerrard stated that his aim is to offer these students the best possible facilities and opportunities to further their education alongside sport.
Gerrard, recently voted the top player of all time in a club poll, highlighted the importance of giving teenagers a "platform and an opportunity to further their education, better themselves and run that alongside the best sport, the best game in the world." He added that the students are "a credit to the city and themselves and their own families."
Powell, a Manchester City season ticket holder, expressed her respect for Gerrard's work and noted the government's desire to expand practical and vocational pathways for children. She emphasised a focus on preparing people for jobs and the world of work within the education and college system.
The academy offers a range of subjects, including sports media, coaching, and a football industry degree. Powell also commented that sport is an "AI-proof" industry, with practical skills like playing, coaching, and physiotherapy unlikely to be affected, while also presenting AI opportunities for young people in the sector.