ACADEMY: FALCONS CRICKET ACADEMY
The Falcons Cricket Academy, a collaboration between Derby College Group and Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, helps aspiring young cricketers to develop their skills in the sport while studying academic qualifications.
Course Summary
Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation Academy programme gives aspiring young cricketers the opportunity to develop their cricket skills while studying academic qualifications to enhance their career prospects.
The College’s partnership with the Derby Cricket Foundation enables students to benefit from the expertise of highly qualified and respected coaches, which enhances the cricket-focussed curriculum.
Training will take place at Derbyshire County Cricket ground and curriculum delivery will take place at Derby College Group’s Broomfield Hall site.
It is very important to note that you must be undertaking a full-time study programme at DCG to be eligible to join the Cricket Academy. The study programme and the cricket programme combine to make your learning programme at DCG. The full-time study programme you choose to complete alongside the Cricket Academy can be from any department within DCG.
Entry Requirements
Applications are welcomed from individuals who regularly participate in cricket and who show a desire and willingness to develop their sporting performance. Ideally cricketers would be playing within the county leagues in adult cricket teams.
Entry to the Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development course requires candidates to have a minimum of five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*- C), including English and Maths, in order to access the full Academy schedule.
Students may also be able to access the Cricket Academy by studying Level 1 or Level 2 Sport qualifications or A-levels, depending on whether the timetable fits in with training sessions and fixtures. GCSE resits will take priority over the training sessions.
What will you learn?
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation Academy includes:
- A dedicated training calendar
- Opportunities to progress to elite level pathways
- Access to AoC Sport regional and national trials
- A comprehensive coaching pathway
- AoC and local competitions programme
- Technical and tactical coaching
- Psychological, physiological and lifestyle management
- Strength and conditioning support
- A recognised Cricket NGB coaching qualification
For specific course content, please visit the website pages relating to all of our courses at DCG.
How will you learn?
This curriculum course will be delivered on-site at Broomfield Hall (or other DCG sites – course dependent).
Cricket Academy training will be at Derbyshire County Cricket ground.
What will you need to bring with you?
Students are expected to wear black tops (T-shirts, jumpers, hoodies etc) when in class and when representing the Sports department during trips and visits. Students are free to wear what they choose on their lower half, as long as it is suitable for the activity being undertaken. Footwear needs to be appropriate to the surface being played on.
We recommend the purchase of a DCG-branded top to aid team identity. This is, however, not mandatory: we merely expect compliance with our colour code. T-shirts would cost in the region of £15 each.
You may be required to purchase – or be supplied with – Derbyshire Cricket Foundation-specific kit which is in addition to the DCG uniform requirement.
Bringing your own cricket equipment will be necessary for cricket training.
We encourage learners to bring their own laptop to aid their studies.
How will you be assessed?
There are practical sessions in which you will be expected to take part and others that you are expected to lead.
Academy training sessions will take place within the College working day but coaching/playing/work experience may take place in the evenings, early mornings or weekends.
Assessments occur throughout the year depending on the subjects studied. See information on our Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development course or our Level 2 Sports Performance courses for more details. Students can access any other College courses but this can restrict access to all the Cricket Academy activities: please discuss this with DCG teaching staff.
You will be expected to maintain an attendance of over 95% throughout the year or your place in the Academy will be in jeopardy.
Where next?
Progress is determined by how well you do in your academic studies. Alternatively students may seek employment within the sport and leisure sector. You will also be provided with careers information.
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Course Information for Employers
Information for Employers
Career Information
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We encourage progress and aspirational outcomes by guiding people onto learning pathways that lead to positive destinations. Our students have gone on to achieve great things since leaving the College. We would like to share some of their inspiring success stories with you.
Find out what funding could be available to you:
Thinking about returning to education or developing new skills? Use our funding calculator below to get an estimate of the financial support you may be eligible for based on where you live.
Whether you’re looking to retrain, progress in your career, or try something new, funding could make your next step more accessible than you think.
Simply enter your postcode into the calculator to see an estimate of the funding that may be available in your area. This is based on regional funding allocations and typical eligibility criteria for adult learners.
Important:
The results shown are a guide only and are not a guarantee of funding.
Funding availability can vary depending on:
- Your personal circumstances (such as age, employment status, and prior qualifications)
- The course you choose
- Government and local funding rules at the time of enrolment
If you’re considering adult learning, there’s never been a better time to explore your options.
Our courses are designed to fit around your life, with flexible study options and expert support every step of the way.
Find out more about the courses available. Adult Courses
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Course Information Last Updated On: October 5, 2026 3:29 pm
