Academy Football Parent

A car coach is a parent who attempts to cover the entire football coaching syllabus with their child on the short journey to a match.

They also provide explanations for why their child didn't follow the instructions on the short trip back home.

Parents can improve their child's football experience by supporting them rather than coaching them.

Its best to let the experts handle the coaching. 

A player review is carried out by an academy twice a year. They usually do it before Christmas and right before the season ends.

The goal is to make sure there are no surprises when big decisions are made, like whether to release or renew a player.

Progress with the players' individual development plan are assessed and new targets are set.

The player and one parent, along with academy staff attend these reviews.

The academy staff could be any of the academy manager, the phase lead coach and the age group coach.

You may need a football agent (intermediary) if you're unsure about your child's status at their current club especially in their 2nd year as a scholar. 

Or if there are off-field issues that need to be managed and negotiated.

Safeguarding in a football academy is about the club being committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and young people involved in the program.

Safeguarding means:

Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment.

Preventing harm to the health or development of young players.

Creating a safe and positive environment for them to develop their football skills.

Have an open environment where they feel valued and listened to.

The football academy must have a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) who is responsible for safeguarding issues.

For academy players, the player care programme equips them with life skills to deal with the challenges of aiming to become professional footballers.

Not many of them will make it as professional footballers so it's important to help manage their expectations, support their overall development, and prepare them for potential release or moving on to something else.

The time commitment for academy football can vary depending on the specific academy, age group, and level of competition.

Generally, players can expect to train several times a week, with additional matches on weekends.

 Be prepared for the time and travel commitment required for academy football.

A young footballer quickly sees the value of knowing how to cook when staying away from home.

Going on loan or staying in digs as a football scholar can be tough.

Knowing how to cook is helpful, cheaper than eating out, and lets a player bring a bit of home with them wherever they go.

Living with non cooking mates can be stressful too.

Whether you're allowed to talk from the side-lines during training or games depends on the policy of the academy and the age of the players.

Usually, it's not encouraged, especially for younger kids, so they can listen to their coaches on the field without distractions.

Don't get upset with another player being picked over your child. They didn't make the choice themselves.

The coach likely has a reason, and its their call to make.

Parents should reflect on their motivations before questioning a coach about their child.

It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the questions serve the child's best interests rather than the parents' own aspirations or desires.

Parents, you are reminded not to project your unfulfilled dreams onto your children.

You've had your chance, so let them have theirs.

Don't be upset if your child is asked to play in a younger age group.

In academy football this is normally termed as "playing down."

Coaches might suggest this to help the player focus on skills or decision-making in a less stressful environment.

It also allows them to play against others at a similar physical or developmental level.