|
|
|
|
|
 |
Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Questions: |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
What Is An Academy And How Does It Differ From A Centre Of Excellence? |
|
|
|
All 92 Professional Teams have Youth Development policies, however Academies enable already successful schemes to even higher levels. The main differences are that whereas in the past the hours of contact between the boys and Centres of Excellence has been restricted, Academy status allows expanded hours of coaching. Academies are able to offer a more holistic approach, in particular ensuring the players involved continue their educational studies. |
|
|
|
Why Have An Academy? |
|
|
|
Academies are determined to be at the forefront in the development of young players. All Premier League clubs must run an Academy. |
|
|
|
Can Anybody Join The Academy Or Are There Regional Limitations? |
|
|
|
Boys U13 and above must live within 90 minutes travelling distance and boys up to U12 one hour travelling distance to be eligible to join an Academy. Of course that is assuming they meet the clubs' footballing criteria. If they live closer to Satellite or Development Centres, that is where they can train during the weekdays. All the players are invited in through intensive scouting and monitoring systems overseen by the Academy Director. |
|
|
|
How Are Boys Selected For The Academy? |
|
|
|
Selection for an Academy is via a series of trials and/or development days. All clubs have a network of Scouts and Coaches and they put forward boys after assessing them in their own environment, such as school, district, county games and Sunday Leagues. |
|
|
|
Are Young Players Signed From Other Countries? |
|
|
|
Yes, from age 16 Academies can sign players for the Scholarship Scheme from the Republic of Ireland, N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales plus anybody who qualifies as a European citizen. Top teams additionally have European Scouts who search for both Academy and First Team players. |
|
|
|
What Is The Link Between The Advanced Player Development Centres And The Academy? |
|
|
|
One of the most productive systems for boys progressing into the Academy is via the network, which is through Advanced Player Development Centres or Community Coaching Programmes. These usually cater for boys from 6 - 13 yrs. Boys can progress from these skill centres via development centres to the Academy. |
|
|
|
What Age Groups Are In The Academy And How Many Boys Are There? |
|
|
|
The Academy age groups range from U9 to U16. From 16-19 years players are offered full time Academy Scholarships. From U12-U16 (playing 11-a-side games) Clubs operate on squads of approximately 16-20. From U9-U11 (playing small sided games) the squads are slightly smaller. There are often two squads at this early age to allow for various stages of youth development whilst offering opportunities for more players who are experiencing adjustments. The emphasis is upon QUALITY not QUANTITY. Each team has their own Qualified Coach. All squads work along the same lines to develop the individual in the style of the Club. This way has enabled Centre of Excellence & Academy Clubs to produce some of the best young players in the country. All Coaches are supervised by the Academy Director to ensure continuity in the methods used & personal on-going professional development. Ultimately, everything is geared to achieving the Academy's aim - that each boy has the chance to fulfil his potential. |
|
|
|
Where And Do The Academy Sides Train And Play Matches? |
|
|
|
Training takes place at various sites. Training is on different days for various age groups, usually 2 times a week, on Weekday evenings and on Saturday mornings. The match programme for all age groups takes place on Sundays. |
|
|
|
Are Academy Boys Restricted In The Number Of Games They Can Play - Who Decides What Matches They Play In? |
|
|
|
There are restrictions on the number of games boys play dependant on their age. The decision as to where boys play is for the Coaches, parents and boys to make together. |
|
|
|
Will Joining The Academy Have An Effect On A Boy's Education? |
|
|
|
Clubs are determined that by joining a Centre of Excellence or Academy it will have no detrimental effect on boys' education. We believe that in order to develop as a young player, the ability to learn and to have an open mind is vital. Therefore a willingness to learn at school is a big advantage. |
|
|
|
Do All Academy Boys Become Professional Footballers? |
|
|
|
Academies & Centres of Excellence aim to maintain & improve on what is already a very high percentage of successful youth players to play at the highest level. However there are no guarantees in football. The young players will be given the best possible facilities and coaching to make the most of their opportunity. Becoming a professional footballer is a very difficult task and therefore the emphasis on youngsters to develop other skills via the Educational Programme is vital and the Clubs value their links with Schools' Football Associations in this respect. |
|
|
|
What Happens If You Don't Make It? |
|
|
|
During the Scholarship with a professional Club players would have received a comprehensive and first class football education, particularly with regard to fitness, team building, self-discipline and technical development. They would have attended educational courses, which would leave them in a strong position to look at the careers they may have pursued had they not joined the Scholarship. Also they would have been provided with an in-depth insight into key life skills including media skills, financial planning, and nutrition and drug awareness. So if a player is not offered a professional contract the time spent on the Scholarship with the Club can be seen as a productive experience. Players released from the football side of their Scholarship after two seasons will have their details circulated to other clubs. In both cases there will be a review meeting with the Education Officer and players' parents to decide on an action plan, and an on-going support for players will be given for as long as they wish. |
|
|
|
What kind of image can I add to my profile? |
|
|
|
When uploading an image to your profile, please make sure if complies with the following specifications:
image must be in a .gif or .jpg format
image must not be any larger than 200kb
image must be 100 x 100 pixels in size
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
