Doncaster Rovers runs a category 3 academy based in South Yorkshire. They have an elite youth development program that nurtures young talent.
The Under-18s train at the first team’s facility at Cantley Park Training Ground, while the younger age groups train on the astro turf at the Eco-Power Stadium.
The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @BAFCAcademy.
The Academy’s four key values are Desire, Resilience, Focus and Creativity.
Academy Competitions
Each season, the Academy competes across the standard slate of competitions for Category Three clubs:
- U17 Professional Development League Cup – an English youth football tournament for players aged 17 and under.
- U18 Youth Alliance Cup – an EFL-organised youth tournament for Under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs competing in the EFL Youth Alliance. It follows a format similar to the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
- U18 Professional Development League Cup – established for the 2021/22 season, featuring 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with group winners advancing to the knockout stages.
- FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
2026/27 Season
The Academy enters the 2026/27 season under Academy Manager Stuart Swift
Scholars 2026/27
Academy Players on Loan 2026/27
- Kasper Williams (Defender) Alfreton Town
Academy Players in the First Team 2026/27
- Jonny Tomlinson (Midfielder)
- Lincoln Pawlak (Defender)
- Alex Pavan (Midfielder)
- Dylan Hatley (Forward) #50
International Players 2026/27
- Frankie Morrell – England U15 Camp
2026/27 Tournament Groupings
Season Timeline
August 2026
- The new partnership between Doncaster Rovers and Retford FC will see Rovers’ U15-U17 sides play their cup fixtures at Retford FC’s Rail Stadium.
September 2026
- Ryan Cresswell has departed his role as lead professional development phase coach at Doncaster Rovers Academy to take on a new opportunity.
2025/26 Season
The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Manager Stuart Swift, Head of Academy Coach Development Ebun Thomas, Under-18 Head Coach Paul Green, and Academy Player Development Josh Law.
The Academy is supported by a dedicated team of approximately 60 staff members.
Full details of players retained, released, or returned from loan following the 2024/25 season can be found on the club’s official retained list.
Academy Players on Loan 2025/26
- Bobby Faulkner (Defender) – Harrogate Town
- Sam Straughan-Brown (Midfielder) – Peterborough Sports
- Will Flint (Midfielder) – Gateshead; Buxton
- Kasper Williams (Defender) – Bridlington Town; Stocksbridge Park Steels
- Aaron Cashmore (Defender) – Stamford
- Ethan Hodgett (Midfielder) – Gainsborough Trinity
- Deshaun Musgrave-Dore (Midfielder) – Bridlington Town
- Franklin Middleton (Defender) – Ossett United
- Rhomani Murray (Forward) – Bottesford Town
- Tyler Parkin (Defender) – Parkgate
- Dylan Corbett (Defender) – Brigg Town
- Jake Oram (Goalkeeper) – Matlock; Hallam; Bradford PA
Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26
Rhomani Murray (Forward, #42), Deshaun Musgrave-Dore (Midfielder, #39), Ethan Hodgett (Forward, #38), Harry Glaves (Midfielder, #34).
2025/26 Tournament Groupings
In the U17 Professional Development League Cup, Doncaster Rovers’ Under-17s were grouped with Under-17 sides from Preston North End, Wigan Athletic and Morecambe.
In the U18 Professional Development League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group H against Brentford, Mansfield Town and Queens Park Rangers, with fixtures scheduled for 26 August, 4 October and 22 November 2025.
Season Timeline
July 2025
- Doncaster-born defender Jay McGrath agreed to a three-year contract, with the option to extend for a further 12 months.
September 2025
- Doncaster Rovers strengthened their Academy setup with the appointments of Ebun Thomas and Josh Law:
- Thomas, previously with Gillingham FC, joined as Head of Academy Coach Development and Assistant Academy Manager, tasked with leading the coaching programme.
- Law arrived from Barnsley to take up the role of Head of Academy Player Development, working to connect academy talent with the first team.
October 2025
- Doncaster Rovers’ Under-18s advanced to the second round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against Radcliffe.
November 2025
- Rovers’ Under-18s reached the quarter-finals of the Professional Development League Cup for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
December 2025
- Doncaster Rovers’ Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the third round, following their tie against Aston Villa.
January 2026
- Doncaster Rovers’ Under-18s saw their Professional Development League Cup run come to an end, following their tie against Swansea City at the Joma High Performance Centre.
May 2026
First Professional Contract
- Lincoln Pawlak (Centre-Back)
- Alex Pavan (Midfielder)
2024/25 Season
The 2024/25 season saw Doncaster Rovers’ Academy compete across the U18 Youth Alliance Cup and U18 Professional Development League Cup group stages.
Academy Players on Loan 2024/25
- Bobby Faulkner (Defender) – Dundalk FC; Buxton
- Kenneth Imariagbe (Forward) – Grimsby Borough
- Jack Degruchy (Midfielder) – Hanley Town; Liversedge FC
- Jake Oram (Goalkeeper) – Liversedge FC
- Will Flint (Midfielder) – Darlington
- Jack Goodman (Forward) – Bradford PA; Basford United
- Tavonga Kuleya (Forward) – Belper Town
Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25
Kenneth Imariagbe (Forward, #39), Kasper Williams (Defender, #40), Sam Straughan-Brown (Midfielder, #42).
2024/25 Tournament Groupings
In the U18 Youth Alliance Cup, Doncaster Rovers’ Under-18s were drawn in Group C against Under-18 sides from Bradford City, Grimsby Town, Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United and Huddersfield Town.
In the U18 Professional Development League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group C against Barnsley, Bradford City and Hull City.
Season Timeline
September 2024
- Doncaster Rovers launched Club 1879, a new initiative designed to support coaches, players and businesses through unique learning opportunities, delivering a nine-part series of coach development workshops throughout the 2024/25 season.
October 2024
- Doncaster Rovers were drawn away to AFC Fylde in the first round of the FA Youth Cup.
- Doncaster Rovers’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the first round, following their tie against AFC Fylde.
May 2025
- Doncaster Rovers offered professional contracts to three players: Jacob Bryant, Sam Straughan-Brown and Kasper Williams.
Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)
Young Professionals: Freddie Allen, Jack Degruchy (joined Stocksbridge Park Steels), Jack Goodman (joined Basford United), Tavonga Kuleya (joined Belper Town).
Scholars: Jacob Bacon, Jaiden Campbell-Ryce, Kenzie Dillon, Kenneth Imariagbe, Oliver Piekarski, Charlie Thompson, Jamie Tomlinson.