Football Academy

Welcome

The Football Academy aims to run a program as close to the professional academy as possible, so that players can experience an environment that is different to anything they may have experienced before. Within that, we hold weekly whole group player meetings to discuss topics, weekly themes and games. Players will also have opportunities to review their recent playing performance, focusing on strengths/weaknesses of both their performances and those of the opposition, to enhance their knowledge of football. We will also study the theory of footballing, evaluating and assessing playing formations, so that players have a cognitive understanding of the game alongside skills based activities.

Expectations Contract

The Football Academy has high expectations of its participants, both on the pitch playing and off the pitch in academic and school life. On the pitch, the expectation is that the players attend training regularly and are fully committed to their own and their team’s development. It is paramount that they are fully immersed in a team culture which promotes hard work, respect and commitment.

Our expectations off the pitch are that participants:

Represent the school in the highest standards of behaviour both on and off the pitch, including through high levels of punctuality and attendance
Become part of the community family that drives and inspires everyone to achieve more
Maintain a high work ethic and a positive attitude across all areas of 6th Form life
Be role models to peers, school and community and participate in events that support the wider school community, including working with KS3 students when events arise
Participate in creating a safe, valued and trusted learning environment
Fulfil at least one lunch time duty per week on the 3G pitch
Wear the official Football Academy kit around the school; on days when they do not wear the kit it is expected that they will wear smart business wear
Wear lanyards at all times

Training

The Football Academy players will have training a minimum of 3 times a week (before and after school) and a league fixture.

Beyond the Pitch

Being a member of the Football Academy is more than merely attending the Academy and playing football for 2 years! A key aim for us away from the football pitch is to help develop wider opportunities for players in football. We are using our contacts with the local FA to promote coaching courses for the players to complete, so that they are not just playing football but also learning how to coach the game to local teams. We aim to provide a leadership platform for the players to use their experience and knowledge in football to be role models to the school, by helping assist KS3 football teams and tournaments. We hope to assist players with their future ventures in football, whether that be helping develop them a pathway into higher local football clubs or opening other avenues for our participants in the field of football, other than playing.