Rishworth School, in partnership with Huddersfield Town Football Club Foundation, is proud to offer a development and elite performance football pathway for talented male and female players.
With a structured development pathway open to students from Year 7 upwards (11+), the programme blends elite football training with a challenging academic timetable tailored to each age group. Students follow a core curriculum, including GCSEs in Year 10 and 11 (14+), while Sixth Formers (16+) can choose either the traditional academic route of A-Levels or our highly acclaimed BTEC Extended National Diploma in Sport, allowing them to combine sporting excellence with academic achievement.
DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Our Development Centre is the ideal starting point for aspiring footballers looking to accelerate their progress in a high-quality, supportive environment. Designed to build strong foundations, the programme combines expert coaching with a clear pathway into Rishworth School’s wider football provision.
The Benefits
- Technical development
- Tactical understanding
- Small-sided game experience
- Physical preparation
- Individual feedback and progression pathways
Girls Development Centre (U13 & U15s)
A dynamic and inclusive environment where players develop technical consistency, tactical awareness, and physical literacy, while enjoying a high-quality training experience that builds confidence and a love for the game.
Boys Development Centre (U13, U15 & U18s)
A structured and challenging pathway focused on technical consistency, tactical awareness, and physical literacy, preparing players to progress confidently through the football pathway.
ELITE PROGRAMME
Our Elite Pathway is designed for high-performing footballers who are ready to train and compete in a professional-level environment. Combining advanced coaching with a comprehensive performance model, the programme challenges players to maximise their potential and prepare for progression within the game.
Led by UEFA-licensed coaches, players benefit from a structured training schedule that mirrors the standards of the professional game. A strong emphasis is placed on both individual and team development, ensuring players continue to grow technically, tactically, and physically.
The Benefits
- Individual Development Plans tailored to each player
- Strength & Conditioning to enhance performance and reduce injury risk
- Squad training and specialist Goalkeeper coaching
- Competitive fixtures and futsal programme
- Performance support services to aid overall development
- VEO technology for recording & analysing matches
- Opportunities to be observed by Huddersfield Town scouts
This is a high-performance pathway for ambitious players who are committed to their development and striving to reach the next level in football.
“I have had the opportunity to be put in front of scouts from various clubs and it has given me the confidence to know I’m on the right path.” Mexican student on the elite programme
Chris Stone - Curriculum Area Manager of Sport
Chris is the Curriculum Area Manager of Sport at Rishworth and the Lead Teacher for the BTEC Level 3 Sport programme, where he plays a key role in shaping the development of young athletes and students. In these roles, he leads curriculum design, supports staff development, and ensures students receive high quality teaching that prepares them for both higher education and careers within the sport industry.
Chris has a strong background in coach education through his work with England Rugby, where he gained valuable experience supporting coaches and developing effective learning environments across sport. This experience has helped shape his belief that great coaching and teaching go beyond performance, focusing on developing confident, resilient individuals through positive sporting experiences.
Passionate about sport in its broadest sense, Chris is committed to creating engaging and supportive environments where students and athletes can develop their skills, confidence, and understanding of sport. He brings energy, professionalism, and a strong commitment to helping others reach their potential both on and off the field.
Dan Jarvis - Senior Education Manager at Huddersfield Town Foundation
Dan Jarvis brings a wealth of experience across football and education, and oversees the programme. With a career grounded in both player development and academic excellence, Dan has worked extensively across a variety of football environments, most recently within the Huddersfield Town Academy, supporting the development of young players within an elite performance framework. He is currently the Senior Education Manager at Huddersfield Town Foundation, leading and strategically developing Huddersfield Town Foundation’s education & sport provision, ensuring high‑quality programmes that engage learners, strengthen partnerships, and deliver measurable outcomes for young people and communities.
His background in elite football is further strengthened through his national role with The Football Association, where he worked as a Women’s Talent Reporter, identifying and monitoring emerging players within the FA’s talent pathway and contributing to the long‑term development of the women’s game.
Dan’s experience also extends internationally, having worked overseas in Bahrain at St Christopher’s British International School, where he combined football provision with a strong educational focus in a global context.
This blend of professional football expertise and educational leadership ensures the Rishworth School Football Pathway offers a truly holistic environment, enabling students to excel both in the classroom and on the football pitch.
Rishworth School Football Pathway offers a clear pathway from youth development to post-sixth form opportunities, combining elite coaching, academic excellence, and professional links.
Players start in the Development Centre to build core technical, tactical, and physical skills, before having the opportunity to move into the Performance Football Programme for elite-level training, competitive fixtures, and personalised development plans.
Individual Development Plans
Individual Development Plans (IDPs) are a key part of our programme, providing each player with a clear and personalised pathway for progression. These plans identify individual strengths and areas for development, allowing coaches to deliver targeted support both on and off the pitch. Through regular feedback and tailored training objectives, players are guided to maximise their potential and take ownership of their development journey.
Scouting & Competitive Opportunities
Players on the pathway benefit from exposure to professional pathways and high-level competition:
- Observation and guidance from Huddersfield Town Football Academy coaches
- Introductions to other local and regional clubs via Huddersfield Town connections
- Participation in CEFA (County Elite Football Alliance) fixtures
- Competing in ISFA (Independent Schools Football Association) matches
The Elite football programme fees are in addition to Day and Boarding fees and are payable termly in advance. The commitment to the programme is for the full academic year.
Year 7 - 11: Termly £1,515, Annual £4,545
Year 12 - 13: Termly £2,015, Annual £6,045
Inclusive of VAT
The Development Centre will be run as a paid for Enrichment and Extension activity and will be bookable termly, please speak to Admissions for details and costs.