A REPORT by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, carried out on behalf of the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association), has revealed that Barnsley FC’s Academy is among the best in the country for education. The club’s programme, which sees the Oakwell juniors who fail to win a professional contract leave with enough qualifications to go onto higher education, has a 100 per cent success rate. Pat Lally, from the PFA, said the results at Barnsley were ‘simply excellent’ and their 100 per cent success rate is one of the best, if not the best, in the country.’ He added: “The support given to the young players both from the football club and from its partnership with Barnsley College is first rate and these successes should be advertised a lot more. “People should be made aware that Barnsley FC provides a first class training and education programme for young players both on the football field and in the classroom.” Tony Warden, the club’s eduction officer, is pleased that the report has recognised the hard work gone into ensuring the players are best equipped for life after football. He said: “I am delighted. Every player that comes through the Academy here either leaves with a professional contract or enough qualifications to go onto University. “All our Academy scholars will take an Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence during their time at Barnsley FC. This includes a BTEC National Certificate in Sport Sciences, which is the equivelent of two A levels, an NVQ level three in Sporting Excellence and a level two FA coaching certificate. “Also, those who did not get their GCSE’s in maths and english at A to C will also take a further course in communications and the application of number.” The Oakwell complex has two classrooms, known as study centres, which are used twice a week by the young players and on the other days, used by both primary and secondary schools from across the borough. There are also four tutors who visit each week from Barnsley College to deliver the lessons and also a tutor from Central Sport in Wigan. Tony added: “Last year the club released just one player at the end of his scholarship and he is now at Leeds Univesity. The year before only one was released again and he is doing a degree at Salford University. “Here at the Academy, the lads get everything they need, either a professional contract or the qualifications to go to University. “One of the options that could soon be open to players now is scholarships in the USA.” Pat Lally also commented on the standard of facilities. He added: “The resources here, particularly in the North Stand, make it possible to deliver such a prestigious course on site. There are not many clubs who have everything on the same site and the players at Barnsley have beneffited from that.”