ATHLETIC CLUB
ATHLETIC CLUB
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE › Philosophy defines how they play. › Since 1898, formalised sporting philosophy is to be the most important club in the Basque region. › Players are most important element. › Club goal is to develop players. › Decision on signing player depends on Sport Director, Assistant, Academy Director and Head of Scouting. › Decision on signing academy staff: Sport Director, Assistant and Academy Director, with CEO approval. COMPETITION › The only club to target and use only Basque (local) players. › All the teams play in difficult situations by facing older age group teams. The third team is playing in third division with mostly U19 players HUMAN CAPITAL › Scout for local coaches. › Weekly assessment on team performance. Monthly academy › No pressure to produce players. › Academy goal is to produce players for the first team based on club philosophy. › Set up teams at U11 level and, if possible, keep them together through the age groups. PRODUCTIVITY
QUALITY AREAS SNAPSHOT
Before U14, they do not use any players outside of the Biscay province. › Process of transition: they try to put players in difficult situations – let them try in first and second team. › They have promoted many coaches from the academy to the first team.
FINANCES › Academy budget is 10% of club’s overall budget. › Some bonuses in place for coaches since last season. FACILITIES › 8 pitches. › Residence for players in place with capacity for 58 players.
management-coach meetings. › They organise internal education.
COGNITIVE CARE › Values: commitment, effort, respect. › Integral department with psychologist at head; pedagogue for education, safeguarding officer, match analyst, physio and sports scientist. › Agreement with 3 schools. › Main structures in development process: 1. conditional; 2. cognitive; 3. coordinate; 4. competitive; 5. playful creative. 6. psico-socio-emotive. › Internal Education-Development department for players/coaches. › Player profiles set against a defined game style. Want players to stay at club for at least 2 years after signing. From U14, they are in federation school system. › Education links with Milan, Salzburg, Southampton, SL Benfica and more.
BUY-IN FROM CLUB › Style of play is the same for all teams. › First team coach has no influence on academy. Sporting Director hires coaches based on club model. › Style of play is formally described as: offensive (direct, using wings), defensive (high pressure, high defensive line), and with transition (try to connect 3/3 asap). COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY › Foundation involves academy players in different projects such as visiting prisons, working on projects for people with no families.
TALENT IDENTIFICATION
› 20 scouts (4 in Pamplona, 2 in Gibuzkoa, 2 Alava Province, and the rest work in Basque region). › First select players at U10 level. › Coach’s responsibility to report any interesting players. › 156 feeder clubs, classified from 1 to 3 in terms of the number of players raised for Athletic. Education and investment in these clubs. › Scouting and coaching is profiled by club's playing philosophy. › 3 phases in each scouting area: 1 ID players with different scouts; 2. general assessment with 3-4 scouts; 3. assessment by profile of players on his position.
PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIVITY
› Their model can be adapted. Style currently changing: GK has to play good with his feet.
82
83
YOUTH FOOTBALL 2021-23
YOUTH FOOTBALL 2021-23
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker