TRURO and Penwith College and Truro City Football Club have announced the launch of a new partnership designed to create enhanced opportunities for students in Cornwall, both on the football pitch and across the wider professional sports industry.

The collaboration will see the Truro City develop a player pathway academy for 16 to 18 year olds, in conjunction with the college, working to a full training programme developed by the club, to prepare young Cornish footballers to play at the highest level possible.

The collaboration further brings together the college and Cornwall’s only professional football club, with a shared long-term vision to develop inclusive, sustainable playing pathways that support young people - both male and female - to combine education with high-quality football experiences and real-world career opportunities.

Centred firmly on student benefit, the partnership will enable football students at the college to access a professional football environment while continuing their studies, including opportunities to play in a stadium setting, which would include the academy team taking part in the FA Youth Cup in 2025/26.

The partnership will sit alongside the college’s existing football and academy programmes, enhancing experiences for students across all teams rather than replacing current provision.

While the long-term ambition is to one day see a professional Truro City player emerge from this pathway, both partners are clear that the focus is on lasting development and opportunity for all students, including those aspiring to careers in professional sport beyond playing.

This includes opportunities linked to media and communications, sports science, therapy and rehabilitation and event management.

One college apprentice is already working closely with Truro City in a media and communications role, demonstrating the breadth of pathways the partnership aims to support.

“We’re really excited about this partnership,” said Truro City’s director of football Alex Black. “It’s about creating the first clear pathway into full-time professional football for young people in Cornwall - boys and girls - while recognising that this takes time and the right environment.

“The College has excellent facilities and people, and together we can give students opportunities that simply haven’t existed here before.”

Luke Payne, head of sport, health and education at Truro and Penwith College, added: “This partnership is all about opportunity for our football students, but also for those who want to work in professional sport beyond playing.

“Our values and those of Truro City Football Club align strongly, and this collaboration will enhance experiences across our football programme for both male and female students, while also creating meaningful off-pitch opportunities in areas such as media, sports science and events.”

The launch was marked with a group visit to the Truro City Stadium, featuring football students from across the college alongside representatives from the football club, reflecting the inclusive and collaborative spirit of the new and developing partnership.

Earlier this month, Truro & Penwith College announced that Carl Riding, who has been appointed as its next principal and chief executive officer, will start in March 2026.