Jenna Willoughby believes she has greatly improved - on and off the pitch - thanks to the Football Association of Ireland / Fingal County Council Girls' Transition Year Football & Fitness Course.

Now in its second year. the course - which is jointly run by the FAI and Fingal County Council - gives high-potential players the experience of a full-time environment for footballers while still pursuing their education.

The players mix their academic subjects with a range of football coaching courses and modules in Fitness Instruction, Media Skills and Personal Development, as well as football training and strength and conditioning work.

In addition, they undertake an ITEC Fitness Instructors Course and return to their local primary school one day a week to work with teachers in the delivery of physical education and gain valuable work experience.

For Willoughby, it has been a hugely positive experience to date. "The TY course has helped me in many ways. It has helped me to improve the technical and physical aspects of my game, as well as making new friends and being in a full-time football environment," she explained.

An Ireland Women's Under-17 international, Willoughby has excelled in the EA SPORTS League of Ireland Academy system with Shelbourne but has now made the move to the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division by signing for Bohemians. It is a challenge she feels ready to embrace because of how much she has improved from being on the TY course.

"My approach to training has changed due to the course as I think I’m more open to learning and doing new things such as coaching others and learning about different aspects of my game," said Willoughby.

"I’d say the main benefits of the course are being in a full-time football environment and access to the gym because not many clubs or teams in Ireland have access to a gym. I'm also becoming a fully qualified gym instructor by the end of the course so it can help players if they want a career as a gym instructor.

"I recommend doing the course because you get to meet new people, learn new things and you are able to experience what it’s like to be in a full-time football environment and become better technically and physically as a player."

The TY course is jointly delivered by the FAI and Fingal County Council’s Sports Office with access to facilities on the Sport Ireland Campus, the FAI National Training Centre and TU Blanchardstown.