Embarking on the journey to find the ideal football youth academy for your children can be an exciting yet daunting task.
With many options available, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure the best fit for an aspiring football player. In the upcoming editions of our magazine, we will delve into the 12 quality areas outlined by the European Club Association, offering invaluable insights into what youth academies should prioritize and provide to families of talented players.
From coaching methodologies to academic support, facilities, and beyond, these quality areas serve as a comprehensive guide for parents seeking the optimal environment for their children’s development both on and off the pitch.
By understanding and evaluating these key aspects, families can make informed decisions that align with their child’s aspirations and long-term goals in football and private life.
The 12 quality areas as defined per European Club Association are: Physical Care, Cognitive Care, Finances, Facilities, Talent Identification, Productivity, Strategic Importance, Competition, Human Capital, Club Buy-In, Community Connectivity and Professional Connectivity.
Moreover, we will shine a spotlight on some of the most renowned global youth academy setups, exploring their operational frameworks, success stories, and the unique approaches that set them apart. Through these in-depth analyses, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the diverse philosophies and practices employed by top-tier academies worldwide.
Why Education is a Core, Yet Overlooked Component
With only four countries in the world with state retirement ages below 60 years old, the need to prepare for life after playing sport is one that is often neglected. The average playing careers in the most popular sports worldwide are generally less than 10 years. There is therefore a good chance that the majority of professional athletes will have to navigate an alternative career path for at least a potential 30 years.
The want to receive an education, in its broader sense, is something that is often naively pushed to one side when a young athlete chases their sporting dream. Historically, this has been the case as clubs and governing bodies have not done enough to do the same … educate.
Times are changing though and our better-connected world, centred around media means that those offering guidance (most notably parents) are much more informed.
Many sports and governing bodies around the world have made huge positive steps to support our young athletes and the future surely will see education as a core component of their journeys, irrespective of sporting talent. This section will aim to explore the importance of education in more detail as well as hearing from key stakeholders and from athletes who have benefitted from it (or wished they had).
For the many parents with talented young athletes, I hope that this is of interest to you. Some of you will have considered what opportunities might lay ahead for your child after their career in sport but sadly not enough of you have planned for them getting injured, dropped or not even making it in the first place.