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Post-16 Independent Academies

Good football players are a dime a dozen. You will often see someone do something with the ball you haven’t seen others do. There aren’t many out there willing to invest time and resources to ensure true potential is developed to its maximum or as close to it as possible.

With all the come-up stories modern day players give us about their journeys, what’s becoming more important is that the environment and the application of players in that environment is vital to them developing to the point they want to be at.

There are initiatives that stand out apart from the existing ones and put players in a unique position to sign a professional contract and be members of the football pyramid.

There are currently exit trials, showcase events who offer a platform in front of scouts often over a day, two three some even over the course of a week. Which is a useful outlet but players can have off days or be forcing performances in the face of injury.

As a result, a lot of promising potential often escapes the attention of many simply because of a ‘’hit or miss’’ dynamic of some of these showcase or talent spotting events.

There are many success stories to come out of showcases but the young talent that goes unnoticed now have unique opportunities to go to an environment where their development is organic amongst whilst still being under the eye of some scouts.

Its particularly difficult when it comes to being 16 and over where most professional clubs have made decisions on which talents they’re going to invest their resources towards.

Therefore, talents with that potential don’t have an opportunity to try and develop with the best environments with some regularity.

Slough Town & Academy23

The Academy23 player programme is a unique and elite training initiative that allows talented players between the ages of 18 and 23 to develop from youth to men’s football with top class facilities.

Whether you’ve been released by a professional academy or taken a little longer to develop A23 is the place to be. Training with UEFA Pro staff, video analysis and resources that would receive in a professional setting all to mould and refine the talent that currently exists.

What is unique about this set up is their partnership with National League side Slough Town where a talented squad represent the National League side as their U23s in competitive fixtures in the Suburban Premier League alongside their showcase matches.

They’ve also been able to put an U19 representative side in the National League Youth Alliance. There is a pathway with the strong link between the management staff of each of the age groups with everyone benefitting from this partnership.

Slough Town have offered a secure and viable pathway for many of these talented young players with a good number going on to sign full-time contracts with the National League side.

Not many National League sides have youth sides that have such a professional standard that mirrors the sides higher than them in the pyramid. Slough Town’s partnership therefore makes the academy unique from any other National League side.

Academy23 has also set up a partnership with Bucks New University with Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) accreditation which allows players to be a part of their elite programme whilst completing an undergraduate or postgraduate course of their choice.

Their emphasis on off the pitch development as well as on it is treated with the same care. These dual career athletes have the best possible opportunity to excel in one of their careers.

There is a relentless attitude towards providing the best environment for talented players who have potential to be professional footballers. Which can only be healthy as they find it much easier to unlock their maximum and provide the best development for themselves.

Academy23 is an excellent hub for nurturing talent. A full-time training programme for individual and collective development, pathway to a National League side, showcase matches, competitive fixtures and academic support is a unique opportunity.

Kinetic Academy

The post-16 programme provides young hopefuls with the best possible opportunities to achieve their maximum potential both on and off the pitch. With the best environment, best possible coaching and best showcase opportunities against professional clubs.

Officially registered as a charity, they look to put their talents in a position of work or further education. Links to universities here and abroad provide the best possible outcomes for talented young footballers.

This academy consists of how quality coaching as well as relentless commitment towards the progression. Over 40 players have been boosted into professional football with some applying their trade at the highest European levels as well as playing international football.

A feat everyone involved is no doubt proud of. Another example of how the environment is important to make sure talented players are developed properly and put in the best possible conditions to reach whatever goals they may have.

Kinetic’s partnership with Isthmian Premier Division side Corinthian Casuals allows their players to compete in competitions such as the FA Youth Cup and Isthmian Youth League which will often put them up against the best in their age group.

A majority of the staff will have some involvement at Isthmian and County level men’s football so these academy players have access to senior football to aid their development.

Another example of a non-league side taking advantage of the great set up of an independent academy in order to give unsigned talent a pathway to men’s football if needed as well as giving them opportunity to showcase their talents for bigger sides.

The academy is under the umbrella of the Kinetic Foundation who actively work with their partnership with the various Harris Academy dotted in and around the London area which allows them to produce the best in quality for education also.

It’s important to strike a balance between education and football post-16 making sure that all bases are covered for the futures of their players. By linking up with the best rated Sixth forms there are more positive pathways for young people post-16.

Kinetic themselves describe their approach as holistic as they look to help produce respectful individuals that are employable either whether it be in or out of football.

Pro Direct Academy

The PDA offers the chance for 16-18-year olds both boys and girls to train full-time with like professional footballers. With resources and an environment that mirrors a professional academy set-up.

The post-16 programme consists of UEFA and FA licenced coaches for matters on the pitch as well as tutors to help towards A-levels, BTEC and other equivalent qualifications to push them towards the best career available to them.

Specific programmes both individual and collective for their development and experiencing the best possible fixtures both domestically and internationally. No doubt they are the largest independent academy.

The sponsorship aspect of the programme makes it unique. Players in the academy are among the first in the world to play in the latest football boots and invited to ProDirect brands alongside professional players and clubs.

A unique opportunity that most of these other programmes can’t offer. The promotional side of football is what makes them stands out, allowing players to experience the contractual obligations of modern-day football.

The programme reminds me of the Nike Academy which took the best unsigned talent and played regularly against the biggest clubs associated with the Nike brand at the time.

The players in the academy would also be involved in promotional work and collaborate with professional footballers to promote new products whilst playing and training full-time.

Whilst being able to pick the brains of some top professional players when they get their chance to do so. With multiple academies across multiple locations in the UK its understandable why there have been a number of success stories coming from here.

Round-up

The post-16 programmes ae important in ensuring the futures for a lot of young people whether it be a career in football or other professions. The facilities and resources surrounding the programme has to offer the best genuine chances for young players.

A couple of the examples I’ve used have non-league sides benefitting from partnerships with some of these independent academies to offer genuine pathways in to their level of football.

Although these aren’t the only non-league sides to have some form of post-16 programme, the unique relationship with the big independent academies means they have access to be possible unsigned talent and keep an eye on their development.

With so many talented players slipping through the net and the academy category system currently set to favour the teams higher up in the football pyramid, more non-league clubs may want to look to ensure their own production of talent by seeking a partnership too.

These independent academies do a lot of work that needs to be commended for their development of young people on and off the pitch with the best in quality.

Each of these academies offer something different and is why I thought I would highlight a few which are standouts as well as having a significant success rate coming from their hard work.

The other academy example is almost like the current version of the infamous Nike academy. A big brand using its exclusive access and resource to give young players the best possible platform and to experience the lives of professional footballers, even getting to meet some at these exclusive events.

More independent academies will be encouraged to reach out to clubs and schools to ensure the best is available for member of their players and give members of their community the best possible chance of succeeding.

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