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Can Academy Players Play Grassroots Football?
Fairness & Competitiveness In Grassroots Football.
How Does The Academy System Work?
First, let’s investigate what an academy player is, how the system works and what are the benefits and negatives to playing for an academy. In the U.K. the academy system can start from U6 level however no agreements between the player and academy can be made until U9’s. This agreement is a binding document and is taken very serious by the FA (Football Association). The agreement is signed by the parent or guardian of the player.
There are various types of category academy depending on a few factors for example:
- Productivity rates
- Training facilities
- Coaching
- Education
- Welfare Provisions
Some examples of a category 1 academy include Liverpool FC, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC and Man Utd FC amongst various others. To achieve a Category 1 status the club must work hard to reach the standards listed above and maintain them throughout, this takes a lot of hard work and funds from the club.
The investment does tend to pay off in the long run for clubs as they tend to achieve on average more successful number of top-level players in comparison to lower category level academies.
Academy Players In Grassroots Football
One of the big questions In the U.K. is how is it fair that a grassroots team can put together a team full of academy players? This is a question which tends to be brought up a lot to the FA and a lot of parents have a disagreement with.
If your child does sign an agreement at the age of 9 with a professional club it will be up to the club whether it’s okay for your child to participate in grassroots football on a different day to the academy football. Some clubs allow this, and others simply do not.
We believe that it is important for children to participate in grassroots football as well as academy football as the experience is completely different. It is important for children to enjoy playing in a different environment in which the pressure isn’t as high as it is at an academy level to ensure the enjoy the game, we all love.
Entry Levels In Grassroots Football
To flip to the other side of the coin, we believe it’s important for a grassroots league and club to ensure there is different entry levels available for players. Therefore, we believe that each club should have the option to enter different ability leagues so that players can improve and increase ability at their own pace without being overwhelmed by another player in a later stage of their football development.
‘I think that grassroots football is more important than any academy football because you need to develop your skill and ability, make mistakes yourself and find solutions to change’
Dietmar Hamann – Ex Liverpool Player
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Grassroots Coaching Vs Academy Coaching
The notable differences from our experiences investigating this point are the below:
- Leading by example and setting standards for players, coaches and parents on the side-line.
- Hours on the training ground – this seems to be increased and more time is spent training on the pitch when at academy level
- Higher standard of coaching drills and game-based exercises. Due to the higher levels of qualification at academies, these sessions are normally a more advanced level.
Nowadays academies are encouraging grassroots teams into their facility to play matches against the academy. This is a fantastic way to help develop your players and give grassroots players a chance to enjoy playing at some great facilities and meet other players and coaches.
It’s important that kids enjoy playing football and this is a priority at any level, and we advise that doing what is best for your child is the best decision you can make for there wellbeing and also to help them continue wanting to play football.
A lot can be taken from visiting academies not only for players but also for managers, coaches, and parents. It is unacceptable for parents to be shouting onto the pitch unless offering encouragement and applause. Shouting anything else including instructions is not recommended by the FA as this is for the coach in charge.
Another great idea inspired by the FA is having respect barriers on the side-lines, also used by academies this deters parents or family running up the side-line or onto the pitch giving instructions.
Can Academy Players Play Grassroots Football?
