Mercia Football Summer Camp

Course Description: Mercia Football Summer Camp

The Mercia Football Summer Camp is a high-quality residential football programme delivered in partnership with Loughborough Grammar School, combining excellent coaching, professional support, and strong pastoral care in one of the UK’s leading sporting environments.

Designed for enthusiastic and committed players aged 10–17, the camp offers an immersive experience where young footballers train, live, and develop alongside local UK players in a positive, academy-style setting that focuses on learning, confidence, and enjoyment as well as improvement.

*� Location

The programme takes place at:

• St George’s Park

• London

• Manchester

Each location offers excellent facilities, safe accommodation, and easy access from major UK airports, ensuring a comfortable and well-organised experience for all students.

⚽ What Makes Mercia Special

• All sessions led by qualified UEFA A Licensed coaches

• Coaching delivered by staff with experience in professional academies and youth development

• Training alongside local Leicestershire players, including academy and strong grassroots footballers

• Players grouped by ability as well as age, following an initial assessment and matches

• Small group ratios to support individual development:

• Football training: approx. 1 coach : 12 players

• English classes (Football & English): max 1 teacher : 15 students

This approach helps ensure every player feels challenged, supported, and able to make progress at their own level.

🏃‍♂️ Football Programme Structure

Players follow a balanced weekly training programme designed to support long-term development:

• Up to 24 hours of football activity per week

• Technical and tactical sessions

• Position-specific coaching, including goalkeeper sessions

• Small-sided games and competitive match play

• Workshops on game understanding, confidence, and performance habits

Sessions are designed to be challenging but enjoyable, helping players build skills, resilience, and love for the game.

📊 Feedback & Player Development

Every player receives structured feedback to help them continue improving after the camp:

• Match and training footage recorded

• Individual feedback and development summaries after the camp

• Clear guidance on strengths and areas to work on

The goal is to help players understand their game better and feel confident about what to focus on next.

🇬🇧 Football & English Programme (Optional)

Players can choose to combine football with English language learning.

Structure:

• English lessons in the morning

• Football training in the afternoon and evening

English provision includes:

• Up to 13 hours per week of football-themed English

• Qualified TESOL/TEFL teachers

• Small classes (max 15 students)

• Groups based on age and English level

• Learning through football topics, discussions, and presentations

• English certificate with final grade at the end of the programme

Suitable for all English levels, including beginners.

⚽ Total Football Programme (Football-Only)

For players who want to focus fully on football:

• Morning small-group training and technical sessions

• Afternoon and evening football sessions and games

• Workshops covering:

• Tactical understanding

• Confidence and mindset

• Physical preparation and recovery

Ideal for players who enjoy training regularly and want lots of time on the pitch.

🏫 Excellent Facilities & Environment

• Residential accommodation at Loughborough Grammar School

• Training at Loughborough University, internationally recognised for sport

• High-quality pitches and sports facilities

• Full-board accommodation with balanced meals suitable for active young athletes

🌍 Culture, Football & Excursions

Each week includes organised trips such as:

• Visit to St George’s Park, the home of English football

• Trip to London

• Attendance at live football matches

• Cultural visits and sightseeing

These trips help players experience English football culture and enjoy time with new friends.

🛡️ Welfare, Safety & Pastoral Care

• 24/7 supervision on site

• Dedicated welfare and support staff

• Qualified medical and first-aid provision

• Safeguarding in line with UK independent boarding school standards

Players are supported, encouraged, and cared for throughout their stay.

✈️ Airport Transfers

We offer convenient return airport transfers, with one-way transfers priced at 50% of the listed cost.

Available Return Transfer Prices:

• East Midlands (EMA) – £70

• Birmingham (BHX) – £140

• Manchester (MAN) – £180

• Luton (LTN) – £200

• Heathrow (LHR) – £230

• Stansted (STN) – £200

Transfers operate on the arrival day between 10:00am and 8:00pm.

Our team ensures safe, supervised collection and drop-off for all students travelling through the designated airports.

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*� Food & Dietary Care

We cater for all food requirements and dietary needs.

Whether students require vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, allergy-specific meals, or other dietary adjustments, our catering team ensures that every participant is well looked after throughout their stay.

Meals are balanced, nutritious, and designed to support active and growing young people.

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👤 Who This Camp Is For

• Grassroots players who are keen to improve

• Academy or development-level players

• Players who train regularly with a team

• Young footballers who enjoy structured coaching and want to get better

The camp is best suited to players who already play football and are keen to learn, train, and challenge themselves in a supportive environment.