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Academy Status Criteria


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I am currently doing some research for a client into Football Academies.

I am just coming here as a first port of call as I know one or two of you (Scram in particular) are quite knowledgable on the subject.

I was wondering what Acadamies actually consisted of, what needs to be done to Acheive academy status (are there a certain number of pitches, is a certain level of technology/education needed).

Or if anyone knew where I could get the info, presumably the FA website (my next port of call!)

Are there any examples of areas that clubs have difficulty with when attempting to achieve academy status?

any information would be much appreciated

Thanks

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Thanks fellas lol

Some clubs have only recently got academy status - such as Portsmouth for eg - whilst others have recently lost it - Millwall is an example

Whilst there is a level of facility required - some sail VERY close to the wind and stretch it a little bit too far

Millwall were such an example and i'm not surprised they lost academy status - though i imagine it was a voluntary decision to reduce the level of required funding

Academy's get funding from the FA of around £140k pa - not sure how much, if anything is received by the clubs who operate Centre's of Excellence

There are clubs when you sractch your head in wonder at how the **** they have academy status - MK Dons, while others are truly visionary with outstanding facilites - Watford.

A lot of the problem with funding came down to provide the indoor area but i think nearly all clbs have this now - though not all

But as i said you can sort of ignore the criteria on the FA page - cos a lot of clubs do.

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Thanks Scram, thats interesting stuff.

Ive noted the facilities ie pitch space per age group and the need for an indoor facility.

Also the need for a link to education, with a qualified teacher employed at academies these days (reading about the owls academy, leaving with 3 Alevels).

I work in planning, so I think in terms of sites a lot has been made of the catchment area that can be gained from prospective sites. In terms of the nitty gritty I probably dont need to know a lot at this stage (As im sure there are people in the club itself who will know about such things) but its helpful for background knowledge in meetings etc and for getting an idea ofwhat sort of facilities would be needed as part of a development scheme.

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I think it's aprt of the academy criteria to make sure the lads' educational are considered.

Most clubs have some sort of tie-in with a college - a mate of mine lectures on the BTEC for Sport - which a lot of players do - she is quite scathing about it

It's crap really tbh

But it ticks a box

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Yeah, it does seem to be a "box ticking" scenario all round.

It's interesting reading the committee reports for carrington and Sunderland FC's academy which all managed to get planning permission from the secretary of state in Greenbelt land. The decisions are consistent to be fair and sports facilities in the greenbelt are permitted (its the accompanying facilities which are the difficulty), I just sometimes wonder whether the high profile nature of football may affect the planning decision, as its something that is important to so many people.

Is the SWFC dome used by the academy? The fact that the dome can be classed as a non permanent structure AND and indoor pitch could be an interesting one from a planning perspective.

Edited by Bluesteel
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A full-size academy facility in one place is a pretty big space tbh

Typically you'd be looking at about

2 x fullsize pitches

1 three quarter size

assortment of smaller pitches for small-sided games

Indoor area

Outdoor all weather area - usually floodlit

Gym

Changing facilities

Offices

Treatment/physio/medical

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A full-size academy facility in one place is a pretty big space tbh

Typically you'd be looking at about

2 x fullsize pitches

1 three quarter size

assortment of smaller pitches for small-sided games

Indoor area

Outdoor all weather area - usually floodlit

Gym

Changing facilities

Offices

Treatment/physio/medical

All those in bold are usually fine, even on a green belt area. Most clubs seem to have gone for Green belt areas, but I'm not sure if this proposal will be actual green belt land.

Most clubs have had to reduce the amount, size of the flood lights or go with "lanterns" to reduce the visual impact. They have also attempted to make the buildings as small as possible (Chelsea attempting to build most of the logistical facilities you mention under ground!!) and line them with trees and hedgerows.

The main thing is to find a clear special need that outweighs the issue of inappropriate development, which has usually been pressure from the FA to remove Academy teams from the Premier Academy League, I think Derby were faced with a scenario like that.

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With regard to Chelsea it wasn't their academy that caused the issue it was the 1st team facility on the same site - and it is a HUGE facility

It is heavily screened off but that's as much to deter prying eyes as anything - a Mourinho wish

Plus their TG/Academy is in a very exlcusive and expensive part of the Surrey suburbs - and does literally back onto the gardens of houses, whilst other parts of it are surrounded by countryside - it is in quite a sensitive area regarding development.

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I know that Chelsea did get a decision refused in 2002 for a training academy, attempting to take over a golf course in surrey. They have probably tinkered with it a little and managed to get permission since then (if its the same site) but there were issues regarding noise concerns from the local residents "whistle blowing" apparently lol.

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The academy and 1st team facility are on the same site - it used to house the Fulham and Wimbledon/MK TG/academies as well - but Chelsea bought the whole site and now own it

Ironically the original Chelsea part of it was crap tbh

To be honest although it's a huge site you'd never know it was there - it's very well camouflaged

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Sounds impressive, shows how they must have got their act together after a couple of frustrating knock backs.

Camouflage is the key, or so it seems.

I think if there was an area of planning I'd enjoy specialising in, sports facilities/football grounds/academies would be the one for me. Especially if it meant I could work with football clubs more often!

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