Eric spurs on Foundation's college students

Fresh from scoring his second goal of the season during Sunday’s game against QPR, Eric Dier took time out to meet with students studying on the Foundation’s Education and Football Development Centre programme during a pre-season training session held at Frederick Knight Sports Centre.

Eric, joined by Under-18 Academy player Anton Walkes, was at the local sports centre to help prepare students for the new academic year awaiting them. Speaking about his personal experiences, Eric told students about the importance of working hard, remaining focused and finding a good balance between the classroom and the pitch.

During the visit, David Byrne, Principal of Barnet & Southgate College, was presented with a plaque by the Foundation’s CEO, Grant Cornwell, to mark the continued partnership delivering the Education and Football Development Centre programme at the North London college.

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation runs six Education and Football Development Centres in partnership with a number of colleges within the local area including Barnet & Southgate College, St Thomas Moore Catholic School, Epping Forest College, Harrow College and Waltham Forest College. The programme is aimed at 16 – 18-year-olds, uses football as a hook to engage young people in education and combines football theory, Academy level coaching and affiliated cup and league competitions with a range of academic studies.

Opportunities exist for students to study a full-time BTEC level 2 or 3 and NVQ level 2 or 3 courses with the potential to continue onto a foundation degree in Sports Development and Coaching run by Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

Eric Dier said: “It’s important for Clubs like Tottenham to deliver education opportunities like this to the local community. You can see from today how passionate the students are about football but it is also important to remember to work hard in the classroom and get the qualifications you need for later life.”

Grant Cornwell, CEO of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: “It means a lot for students on our Education and Football Development programmes to meet with players like Eric and Anton and get advice direct from them, as these are the people young students look up to. They are prime examples of hard work paying off which resonates well with students about to embark on a new academic year, balancing football and education.

“As part of the Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities that change lives, we’re extremely proud to be extending our partnership with Barnet & Southgate college for another year.”