Pre Academy

Football Pre-Academy
Questions

Enthusiasm: This comes across in eagerness to train, participate, and improve. It's about having a positive attitude, being coachable, and having a love for the game. 

Openness to learning: An academy environment presents a wealth of opportunities to learn from experienced coaches and talented peers. A young player with an open mind is receptive to new techniques and feedback. They're willing to step outside their comfort zone, try new things, and embrace constructive criticism as a chance to grow.

Commitment: Joining an academy requires dedicating time and effort to training, matches, and personal development. Commitment means demonstrating discipline and showing up consistently. It's about being reliable, taking responsibility for their performance, and persevering through challenges.

Most category 1 academies start their pre academy program from the age of 6. 

The program normally runs till the child is 8 years old.

Whether football academies are worth it depends on your child's talent and dedication.

They offer elite training and exposure, but can be demanding and expensive.

Weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding.

Futsal is another form of football played on a smaller, hard court, typically indoors. 

Normally with 5 players and a goalkeeper using a smaller and heavier ball than in football.

Focus is on ball control, quick passing, and skillful dribbling.

Futsal can be a  great way for young players to develop a strong foundation in ball mastery and other technical skills.

Required footwear will depend on the pitch surface.

3G & 4G - Moulded football boots.
Grass pitches - Moulded football boots.
Astro Turf - Moulded or Indoor football boots
Futsal - Indoor football boots

  • Shin Pads
  • Football attire of your choice e.g. T-Shirt, Shorts, Socks
  • Water bottle
  • Long hair should be secured or tied back.
  • No jewellery
  • Pack lunch if required.
  • Medication: e.g. For Asthma: Inhaler
  • Any consent forms provided by the club.

You can play for more than one pre academy until you formally sign for a club for the U9 season.

Before joining the academy officially, players get asked to train and play in friendly matches for the club.

This doesn't mean you are officially part of the club yet, so you can still play for other teams like other pre academies or your grassroot team.

 

Kick-ups are great exercises for young footballers. By repeatedly kicking the ball or juggling it with different parts of your body, you can:

Improve ball control: This helps with passing, dribbling, and receiving the ball more accurately.

Get better coordination: Keeping the ball in the air sharpens coordination between your feet, eyes, and body.

Become more confident: Mastering ball control can make you more confident on the field.

Refine your touch: You'll learn to control the ball better by adjusting the strength and direction of your kicks.

Juggling may be hard at first, but with regular practice, it gets easier. The more you practice, the better you get, and this dedication can also help you improve in other areas of the game.

Kick-ups take time and effort, but if you stick with it, you'll see great improvements in your football skills.