Academy Updates

The Academy training programme rolls on as we head towards the end of 2025. Players have continued to be challenged in a variety of different training practices. Sessions are designed around developing players technically and tactically, but also always looking at the other three areas of the FA 4-Corner model.

Some activities can lean more towards the social corner i.e. A fun and competitive warm up activity or competition. Whereas within other practices, players are asked questions to test game understanding, challenge their leadership skills, or reflection and accountability.

Some practices will be physically demanding for players, and physical attributes such as speed endurance, agility, and power will be tested and developed.

Many of the scenarios that we put the players in give them dozens of opportunities each week to make key decisions in game related situations. Decision making under pressure puts the technical aspects of their game to the test, and allows us to see how players read and understand the game.

Week 4-10

There have been several Academy friendly matches over the last seven weeks, as well as competitive indoor matches at Aztech for each age group.

4s

The 4s have had a couple of challenging games against North Year 4s, and Sylvans Year 5s. Although they came out on top in both, they were pushed into playing some very good football, and learnt some valuable lessons about taking their chances at the right time. Some goals they conceded will hopefully have helped them to understand how to limit opportunities like this to the opposition in the future.

5s

The 5s matched up against a very strong Bels Year 6 side recently. Both sides attacked with pace and intensity, which reflected in the high scoring match that ended 6-6! This was the first opportunity for the 5s to practice playing 9-a-side football, and so this was an important first step as they build towards the U11 schoolboy Muratti next season.

6s

The 6s have also been tested in a competitive friendly match. They came up against Blanchelande Year 7s. The game was a goal fest with some fantastic finishing from both teams. Blanchelande kept responding with goals to keep the score line close, and it took some excellent play from the Academy side to hang on to the win. They were also able to work on some important tactical elements of 9-a-side football. Positions are up for grabs as we head into 2025 with the U11 Schoolboy Muratti on the horizon.

7s

Our Year 7s faced Rovers Year 8s which is now a well-established match up for this group. Rovers are always a great challenge for us, and it proved once again with Rovers coming out on top with a 3-2 win. But the experience will have been invaluable to these players as they progress through Youth football; constantly being asked to play against older and often bigger opposition.