Gary is joined by Lee Picton, current International Academy Director of South Shields International Academy, based in the north east of England. Lee is a UEFA 'A' licensed coach, who also worked at Newcastle United Academy for five years. Lee discusses ways to facilitate academic growth alongside football and shares his exciting new project - new professional international academy programme launching at the University of Sunderland in partnership with South Shields FC. The South Shields FC International Academy programme, which starts this September, will allow players from any gender to combine a UK degree with professional soccer development. Through this bespoke development programme, students will be given the opportunity to receive a professional “elite” academy coaching programme with South Shields FC while studying a three-year internationally recognized degree or post-graduate programme at the University. To find out more, please go to: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/international/international-football-academy/ To contact Lee please find his email below: [email protected]