MOUNT KELLY
GOALS FOR GIRLS
FOOTBALL
WELCOME TO THE MOUNT KELLY
GIRLS’ FOOTBALL PROGRAMME
In association with the Chelsea FC Foundation, Mount
Kelly is developing a girls’ football programme for 16-
18 year olds.
The programme will allow selected pupils the
opportunity to reach their full potential academically
and athletically with outstanding coaching, support,
expertise and guidance from fully qualified staff and
coaches.
Formed in 2010, the Chelsea FC Foundation is one
of the world’s leading football social responsibility
programmes, using the power of football and sport
to motivate, educate and inspire. In addition the
Chelsea FC Foundation works on a broad range of
initiatives focusing on employment, education, social
deprivation, crime reduction and much more. You
can read more about the work of the Chelsea FC
Foundation on their website
www.chelseafc.com/en/foundation
With our proven track record for swimming Mount
Kelly has a wealth of experience and all the expertise
required to support high-level athletes as they train,
compete and study.
The creation of the Mount Kelly girls’ football
programme in association with the Chelsea FC
Foundation is a unique opportunity for girls from 16-18
years to follow their educational ambitions whilst also
following their football dreams.
OPPORTUNITIES
• Be part of a nationwide development
programme for girls’ football
• Attend at least three training sessions a year
at Chelsea Football Club’s Cobham training
ground, plus other visits
• Take part in or attend football festivals at the
Cobham training ground
• Attend Chelsea WFC WSL matches on
request
• Work towards a recognised coaching
qualification
• Wear the Chelsea FC Foundation branded
training kit
WHY MOUNT KELLY
GIRLS’ FOOTBALL?
Mount Kelly has a globally recognised
performance swimming programme with alumni
boasting four Olympic, eight Commonwealth
and 24 Paralympic medals. It is our experience
in the world of swimming that makes us perfectly
placed to offer a bespoke programme for
aspiring footballers.
Mount Kelly’s professional coaches will offer 16
hours of high-level quality training per week in
association with and supported by the Chelsea
FC Foundation. Strength and conditioning will
be delivered by our on-site qualified instructor
supported by our strong medical team including
a physiotherapist.
The coaches, led by Mount Kelly Director of Girls’
Football, Tommy Wheeldon, work closely with
the academic and pastoral staff at the School
to ensure a fully integrated approach to every
aspect of both training and education.
The environment for training at Mount Kelly is
second to none with full size fields, 4G ¾ pitch,
an indoor sports hall, Olympic sized swimming
pool and a fully equipped gym all available for
our girls’ football programme.
The girls will represent the School in fixtures
on Wednesdays and at weekends they will
represent the Chelsea FC Foundation. All players
will compete at a level that we feel best benefits
their development.
BOARDING
We have two newly refurbished
boarding Houses for girls aged 13-18.
Sixth Form girls share two to a room
and each room includes a study area
as well as plenty of storage. Your
Housemistress, her Matron and her
boarding team are always on hand
to help with anything you may need
from washing your kit to supporting
you with your studies.
The sports facilities are all within a
short walk of the boarding Houses
and the classrooms.
Our academic staff meet regularly with
all coaches to ensure our footballers
are effectively managing the demands
of both their studies and training.
COACHES
Tommy Wheeldon played professional
football with Everton FC and Torquay United FC
and represented England U18s. He is a vastly
experienced coach (UEFA A Licence) with 30
years’ experience, mainly with 16-18 year olds,
from grassroots to international level.
Judith Kitson is a primary school teacher with
more than 20 years’ experience. Having played
football to a high level including representing
British Universities, and playing county level
hockey and badminton, Judith fully understands
the demands of the high-performing athlete.
Tommy Wheeldon
As Technical Director of the Calgary Blizzard
Soccer Club Tommy created his own ‘Apex
Academy’ training both girls and boys to a
high level of performance and helping over 40
girls gain scholarships through the National
College Athletic Association, the Canadian
Institute of Sport and the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics.
More recently, based in the West Country, Tommy
has set up a coaching programme in 15 local
primary schools, coached the Exeter City Ladies
first team and is a talent scout for Plymouth Argyle.
Tommy is passionate about Football and also has
a clear idea of the opportunities that it can offer
determined and talented young women.
Judith has coached both in the UK for both
Swindon Town and Exeter City Football Clubs,
and overseas in Calgary, Canada.
Judith has a BA (Honours) degree and a Post
Graduate Certificate of Education and holds the
1st4 Sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Football
(UEFA B Licence) and the FA Youth Modules
1 and 2 in Football. She is also a FA Licenced
Football coach and a FA Welfare Officer.
Judith’s combination of teaching and high level
sport experiences have fostered a passion for
the all-round development of young talent and a
deep understanding of the nurture and support
that young talent needs.
Judith Kitson
STRENGTH
& CONDITIONING
16 HRS/WK
of training contact time including
strength and conditioning, according
to age, event and ability.
We believe that muscle and body
balance, core strength, functional
strength and endurance are all
essential for the competitive athlete.
ACHIEVEMENTS
EDUCATION
Over
80%
of leavers secure places at
their first choice of university
We are extremely proud of the consistently strong
public examination results all Mount Kelleians
achieve. Our athletes have been awarded places
at the best sports universities in the UK, including
Loughborough, Stirling and Bath, to study courses
ranging from Criminology with Sociology, Marine
Biology, History, Geography and Applied Sports
Science.
ESTHER
FOX
Chartered Physiotherapist
The Physiotherapy Centre is located within
the School grounds and, in addition to
treatment of injuries, the centre offers
sports massage and one-to-one pilates
sessions. Our registered Sport and Exercise
Psychologist offers one-to-one sessions onsite
as required.
MELISSA
COYLE
Registered Sport and
Exercise Psychologist
HANNAH BLUNDELL | BIO
A graduate from the Chelsea FC Women’s Centre of Excellence,
Hannah Blundell has played her part in each of Chelsea Women’s
trophy triumphs in recent years. Having joined Chelsea at age 16
after spells with Brighton and Charlton, Blundell won the Surrey
County Cup final with the reserves, a game in which she was named
player of the match.
Name: Hannah Jayne Blundell
DOB: 25 May, 1994
Birthplace: Eastbourne, England
Height: 1.63m (5ft 4in)
Weight: 54kg
Position: Defender
Number: 3
Q&A
What age did you start playing football?
I started playing football at the age of 7 for my first
team.
As a young person playing football, who were the
greatest influences on you?
My mum and my brothers.
At what age did you start considering football as a
profession and why was this?
When I got my first contract aged 17/18 with Chelsea
and realised it could become a profession for women.
Why did you choose Merrist Wood College?
Because I thought the set up was very good and it
was a pathway to the Chelsea team as a Chelsea FC
Foundation College Academy.
During your time at Merrist Wood College on the
football academy programme, what would you say
the highlights were?
Getting good quality coaching and training. Being able
to combine studying and playing football.
Did the college academy prepare you in any way for
professional football?
It taught me to maintain high standards and discipline
both on and off the pitch which are good attributes to
have for professional football.
How difficult was the transition from college football
to professional football?
It was difficult progressing from college to reserves
and finally to the first team as the tempo and quality
increased a lot more in both training and matches, so it
took a while for my body to adjust.
What advice would you give to a female GCSE pupil
with an interest in football?
Make sure you invest time in both studying and football
as it is only a short playing career.
Lastly, what advice would you give to a young person
who wants to become a professional footballer?
Work hard, listen to the coaches and practise as much
as you can!
FIND OUT MORE
We will be running a series of showcases which
will take place in London, the North West of
England and at Mount Kelly.
Showcase dates will be published on the
website where you will also be able to register
your interest and apply for a place.
We have a number of scholarships and means
tested bursaries available.
To find out more contact us on:
admissions@mountkelly.com
01822 813193
Mount Kelly
Parkwood Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0HZ
01822 813193
admissions@mountkelly.com
www.mountkelly.com
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