Leicester City Football Club (LCFC) have chosen local independent school, Ratcliffe College, as their educational base for sixteen students from Thailand who have just arrived in Leicester. The students have been brought over to the UK by LCFC and will spend two years getting a first-class British education as full-time boarders at Ratcliffe College. When not studying, the lucky sixteen students will also get to train with the LCFC Academy players and get access to the fantastic sports training facilities at Leicester City FC.
Mr Gareth Lloyd, Headmaster of Ratcliffe College, Leicester, said: “We are very excited to be partnering Leicester City Football Club in this pioneering educational initiative. The sixteen students from Thailand, who have now joined us, will benefit from two years’ exposure to the best of the British education system. International initiatives, such as this, can add a great deal to the education of our UK students as we attempt to ensure that they have the ability to take their part in what is becoming a ‘global village’. We hope and expect that the education which we shall provide for these sixteen students from Thailand will make a significant difference to their lives in whatever they may do in the future.”
Susan Whelan, Leicester City’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We chose Ratcliffe College because it is committed to delivering an all-inclusive education to extremely high standards, which is consistent with our objectives for the pioneering Leicester City International Academy project. As well as aiding the development of talented young footballers, it is vital that we help them develop as students and as people. I am sure that the 16 young people will benefit enormously from their Ratcliffe experience.”
Jon Rudkin, Leicester City’s Academy Director, added: “The International Academy project has been carefully tailored to provide a unique experience for 16 young people under the Leicester City Academy umbrella and Ratcliffe College plays a significant role in that. Having such a highly regarded educational establishment with facilities that perfectly complement our own make this project unlike any other in the UK.”