Bailey Smith

CACT Post-16 graduate Bailey Smith spent three years on the programme. He completed a Level 3 Sports Diploma and Level 3 Fitness Instructing Course and won promotion with our NYFL squad alongside playing at Step 4 & 5 of non-league football. Bailey’s academic achievements and impressive performances on the pitch helped him earn a place on a US scholarship with the support of Post-16 partner Primus.

“Joining the Post-16 programme was a breath of fresh air for me, because it gave me the freedom to play football before going in the classroom,” Bailey said. “I wouldn’t have been able to go on to the scholarship in America without the coaching and the education on the Post-16 programme.

“I never had the idea of going to America when I started here, I just wanted to play football, but as I got better and played up teams the opportunity came along. The standard of football in America is what I dream of being involved in and I’m grateful to the Post-16 coaches, because I couldn’t have done it without them.”