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Mark McChrystal
Youth Technical Director
STEVEN GERRARD ACADEMY / DERRY CITY
DERRY
CITY.
DERRY CITY / YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
THIS IS YOUR
HOME GROUND.
Develop your football while building your future through the partnership between Derry City F.C., St Joseph’s Boys’ School and Steven Gerrard Academy.
Find an Open Trial01 / FIND YOUR HOME GROUND
DERRY CITY / DERRY CITY F.C.
YOUR GAME.
YOUR FUTURE.
Your club. Your school. Your next chapter.
Bring your ambition to Derry. Combine football development with education, supported by a partnership that prepares you for your next step in sport, study and work.
Make your next moveFOOTBALL
Football & education
DERRY CITY F.C.
Our club partnership
100%
Education pass rate
Course availability, entry requirements and funding eligibility depend on your chosen route. Speak to the academy about the right option for you.
DERRY CITY / TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
STEP INSIDE
THE ACADEMY.
See the academy beyond the matchday. Get a feel for the people, the environment and your next chapter.
THE WORK STARTS HERE.DERRY CITY / FOOTBALL
02 / DEVELOP YOUR GAME
TRAIN.
PLAY.
PROGRESS.
Make football part of your everyday routine. Develop your technique, understand the game and learn from coaches who challenge you to improve.
01
Coaching that pushes you.
Work with your coaches and put their feedback into practice.
02
A football environment.
Train and play with teammates who share your ambition.
03
Explore the football programme More than the next match.
Build confidence, discipline and habits that help you on and off the pitch.
03 / BACK YOUR AMBITION
MORE THAN
THE GAME.
Keep your options open.
Keep learning while you develop your game. The school and academy work together to support your progress on and off the pitch.
Your education is delivered with St Joseph’s Boys’ School. Work towards qualifications that support progression to university, further training and employment, alongside your football development.
Explore your education routeBEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Better people make better players. Build the confidence, habits and education to help you beyond the next match.
Discover unique experiences
YOUR GAME. YOUR EDUCATION.DERRY CITY / LEARN
04 / YOUR DERRY CITY TEAM
PEOPLE WHO
BACK YOUR
AMBITION.
Meet the people supporting your development, from your first session to your next step.
Tiernan Lynch
Manager
Seamus Lynch
Assistant Manager
Daniel Harrison
Director of Operations at Steven Gerrard Academy
THE PLAYER VIEW / DERRY CITY
“The chance to train and play full time for Derry City while pursuing an education is a perfect blend of passion and practicality.”
05 / LOOK BEYOND THE NEXT MATCH
ONE START.
MORE WAYS
FORWARD.
Build towards your next step in education, training, employment or football. Speak to the school and academy about the right route for you.
See your progression routes01
Football
Develop your game and explore your next step in football.
02
University & further study
Build towards further study with support from your tutors.
03
Your next qualification
Discuss your education and progression options with the school and academy.
04
A career around the game
Look towards coaching, sports science and wider roles in sport.
Your progression will depend on your development, results and the opportunities available.
THE COACHING. THE CLASSROOM. THE TEAMMATES.
THIS IS DERRY CITY
HOW IT WORKS
THREE STEPS.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER.
01
Apply & attend a session.
Apply online and speak to the team about attending a session.
02
Talk through your next step.
Complete your interview with St Joseph’s Boys’ School.
03
Get ready for September.
Receive your offer and prepare to join your new team.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER / SEPTEMBER 2027
YOUR FUTURE
IN FOOTBALL
STARTS HERE.
Current Year 11? This is where your next step after school begins.
Apply Now for 2027
