WORKING CONCLUSIONS
1 (U18) 1 (Another) 2 (U20) 3 (Local partner)
their parents, raising the question of what information they do provide. Training and presentations for parents are organised in a commendable two- thirds of academies (64%), whilst having a person(s) delegated to drive better collaboration based on formal written process exists in just over half (53%) of academies. Behaviour of parents is also typically regulated. There is a code of conduct set for the parents of players in 80% of academies.
agents for each player (80% of academies), 69% of them have rules limiting or excluding agent use, but this number goes down to 14% of all clubs participating in the survey. This suggests that those clubs who place a big focus on this topic prefer their players not to use agents, but most clubs in general do not have a clear point of view on this issue. SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITY Sharing information between school and club for the better development of players exists in 77% of academies, which is a great sign that most clubs are choosing to align football and academic education for better results. Player grades are monitored in 86% of academies. Internal schooling, under the club’s jurisdiction, is established in 33% of academies. Joint projects with academic/scientific community in research and development are being pursued in 50% of academies. Training timetables are aligned to the academic timetables for youth players in a commendable 91% of academies, once again highlighting the desire to facilitate both types of education in order to ensure the holistic development of individuals as well as players. TRANSITION FROM ACADEMY TO FIRST TEAM Formally prescribed processes for the transition of players from the academy to first team are implemented in 48% of academies. Meanwhile, the last step for players before the first team at just over half of all clubs is an U21, U23 or B team. This indicates that for the remainder, the
Q Which is the last possible step before the first team in your academy?
6 (U21) 7 (U23) 20 (B Team) 24 (U19)
46 (84%)
Q Do you have any rules limiting or excluding agent use in place?
9 (16%)
AGENTS One of the areas of concern for many youth academies are relations with agents. Regular meetings with agents are held in 59% of academies surveyed. There are internal rules regarding agents formally prescribed in 66% of academies. For those academies which made assessments of
end point is at a younger age, even though according to the regulations a player’s development should take place for a longer period of time. In 63% of academies, the first team plays in the same style as teams in the academy. Parent clubs choose coaches in their partner clubs in 38% of all cases. The rationale behind different stages of
the transition process, such as when they move between age groups, go out on loan or to a partner club, is explained to players in 98% of academies. Clubs provide exit support to players who are not retained in 81% of cases. In 65% of academies, the first-team coach has requested information about the playing style of the academy teams upon arrival. On the other hand, in only 32% of academies has the first-team coach asked that the academy playing style aligns with his own one. The first-team coach has asked to implement regular communication with representative(s) of the youth academy in 80% of cases. Also, in 88% of academies the first team coach has
“What would be extremely useful is to have information over the years about what that experience [of leaving the academy] is like for them”
42 (65%)
Q Did the coach regarding the playing style in the academy when he came to the club?
request information
Liam Brady, former Arsenal FC Academy Director
23 (35%)
56
57
YOUTH FOOTBALL 2021-23
YOUTH FOOTBALL 2021-23
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