McDonald originally made a visit to IHM Football Academy during the summer accompanied by his father. The two of them spent time taking a look at how the Manchester city centre football academy worked and McDonald even enjoyed a practice session with the squad. Academy life had such a powerful impression that McDonald enrolled in September at Ellesmere College for a full academic year, and he has never looked back.
It was with great pride that McDonald received his Player of the Month (for November) trophy and certificate from Head Coach, Chris Morrell. McDonald’s father was equally thrilled and said:
“We’re so delighted in his achievement, he’s really loving it out there. I’m glad that we made the right choice for the young man and he is living his dreams now.”
In fact, McDonald can’t wait to get back to school after the holidays and get started on the next term.
IH Manchester runs the full-time football academy on campus at Ellesmere College, Shropshire. Players signing up for the IHM Football Academy programme train most afternoons per week, play in competitive 11 a side matches and benefit from playing in front of invited scouts representing professional football clubs. Ellesmere College is an independent boarding school set in the beautiful English – Welsh border country and has earned itself an excellent reputation. The school is one of only a few schools globally that are accredited as World Academies of Sport for the International Baccalaureate.
