Resilient footballer Oscar Fletcher shines bright

We are celebrating the success of promising footballer Oscar Fletcher, who has been called up to the England Under-18s squad for the second year in a row. The Middlesbrough-born midfielder missed every England game last season due to knee surgery but is now back and ready to take on the Centenary Shield games against Northern Ireland, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in March and April.

Fletcher's determination and resilience have been key to his success. Despite setbacks, including being released by Middlesbrough at 14 and just recently being told he wouldn't be receiving a contract at Sunderland, he has continued to push forward and achieve his goals. As he puts it, "Rather than be disappointed, I knew it was a great ten weeks. I got minutes against sides including Manchester United and Blackburn. I have learned so much and I know I can play at that level."

Fletcher's success is a testament to his hard work and the support from us on his programme. Former Hartlepool and Doncaster winger Ian Clark, our high-performance coordinator, said, "We are so proud of Oscar's achievement. For any student to gain a place in the squad two years running is very good but to gain a place after setbacks shows the resilience Oscar has."

Fletcher's success also highlights the benefits of the Full Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching & Exercise Science programme offered by Hartlepool College, which provides a pathway to play for Hartlepool United while also helping students keep up with their academic work. As Fletcher explains, "My focus is on being a footballer and the College has helped me enormously to keep me up to speed with my work – especially when I was on trial full-time at Sunderland."

Overall, Fletcher's success is a cause for celebration and inspiration. As he continues to pursue his dreams and overcome setbacks, we look forward to watching him make his mark on the football world.