Celebrating our 'City Degree' graduates! | OneFootball

Manchester City’s charity, City in the Community (CITC), has celebrated its 2025 graduates from the BSc (Hons) Manchester City Community Football Coaching course.

Staff and students came together at the Etihad Stadium’s Tunnel Club to reflect on three years of hard work, which culminated in the award of their degrees from Manchester Metropolitan University.

The evening consisted of a three-course meal, taking place around an awards ceremony, entertainment and a presentation in which the students could reflect on their best memories from the course.

On the night graduate Luke Devlin, the winner of the Alex Williams MBE Outstanding Contribution Award, spoke about his time on the City Degree programme saying:

“The degree has had a positive impact on me from the very start with continuous support from City in the Community and Manchester Metropolitan University staff.

“During my time, I have made friends for life and I have built strong, positive working relationships with members of staff.

“Collecting the Alex Williams MBE award was an absolute honour and it made the night even better. It was an award I wasn't expecting to collect. I was in absolute shock but happy and over the moon, because I've made it!

“The reaction from my parents, staff and my friends were unbelievable. I was lost for words. I am grateful to have shared the journey with so many amazing people during my time here on the CITC and MMU coaching degree.”

Commenting on why Luke’s the award winner, Nathan Soulby, 11+ Community Lead Coach said:

"Luke has been an outstanding example of what it means to live the values of City in the Community. His reliability, humility, and dedication have made a lasting impact—not only through the quality of his work, but through the way he consistently supports and uplifts those around him.

“Whether volunteering at events, contributing to team projects, or representing CITC in his part-time role, Luke has brought a level of professionalism and self-awareness that sets him apart.

“This award is a well-deserved recognition of the role model he has become for his peers and the wider community. He understands the power of sport to change lives and embraces his responsibility within that with maturity and care. We’re incredibly proud of all he’s achieved, and even more excited to see what’s next for him.”

Sitting under CITC’s Healthy Futures pillar, the programme brings together CITC’s community football coaching knowledge with Manchester Metropolitan’s academic expertise, to offer the best of both worlds and an integrated path to rewarding career goals.

With work-based learning in elite, professional sporting surroundings, the course provides students with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to find success as a coach or sports programme leader.

21 students from the City Degree alumni have already gone on to secure employment at City in the Community.

Both Foundation and Batchelor of Science courses are available.

For more information visit: https://www.mancity.com/city-in-the-community/healthy-futures/city-degree

City in the Community empowers healthier lives through football with city youth.

To find out more information, visit https://www.mancity.com/citc?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=webstory&utm_campaign=citc&utm_content=organic or follow @citcmancity on social media.