Youth (U12-U16)

Youth Development Phase U12-U16

28 Oct 2022

Welcome to the Youth Development Phase U12-U16.

Parents and Carers will find useful information and videos on this site.

For the broader overview of the Academy System please click on EPPP report.

Welcome

Joining the Academy system is a wonderful opportunity for any young player. On behalf of everyone at the Premier League, we wish your child good luck as they begin their journey. You and your child should expect the quality of coaching, the standard of education and the all-round experience to be outstanding. We expect all Academy Players to show commitment to and respect for their fellow players of all ages, for their coaches and their Club, and for both the Rules and the spirit of the game and the youth development rules.

The Premier League operates the Academy system on behalf of its Clubs, and also works closely with; The English Football League (EFL), The Football Association (FA) and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). There are many things you will need to know as a parent or carer of an Academy Player. This handbook is designed to provide you with an introduction to the Academy system and information on how it works.

There are also seven videos that accompany the handbook. They help to explain the content of the individual subjects in the handbook. There is also a programme of workshops to support the content of the handbook, which are delivered at events and Academies throughout the season by the Premier League, in partnership with Clubs.

Your child’s opportunity

Participating in the Academy system is an achievement to be proud of, however, it is important for your child to maintain a balance between the demands of life outside of football, including their education. Support your child to maintain interests beyond the football pitch and manage their expectations of achieving a career in professional football because only a few Academy Players will go on to become professional footballers. So wherever the journey ends, we hope your child enjoys it.

Academy Classification

Each Academy is independently audited every year and placed in a category from one to four. The Premier League works closely with its Clubs in between these audits to make sure that high standards are maintained and improved where they can be. The different categories of Academies reflect the type of programme provided. The rules that apply to Academies are called the Youth Development Rules. You can find more detailed information about some of the topics covered in this handbook by reading the rules.

The environment at an Academy will be different depending on their category, but all categories of Academy will have a track record of producing successful professional players. The Premier League publishes a list of Clubs operating an Academy and its category.

Category One: U9-U21

This is the highest classification awarded to an Academy. It is an elite environment where Academy Players are provided with additional access to coaching and the potential of full-time education from U12. Category One Academies can recruit nationally from U14 provided the Academy Player is guaranteed access to a full-time Education Programme.

Category Two: U9-U21

This is an elite development environment where Academy Players are typically recruited locally but gain access to additional coaching opportunities and educational support.