| 1 |
For any of the age groups at the Academy how are the youngsters selected? What process do they need to go through? What skills/attributes does a youngster need to demonstrate? |
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We have a number of scouts that attend Sunday league games and school games at many of our age groups. The players scouted go into a Development group depending on their ability and progress through to earn an Academy trial. Youngsters need to show that they can move well with the ball , look around to see other players and opponents, show a passion and desire to play, full of enthusiasm to win the ball back and try to do things with the ball. |
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| 2 |
What does the typical week of an academy player consist of? Schooling? Training? Match play? |
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Under 7s train once a week on the astro at Dean Court, Under 8s to Under 11s train twice a week at Dumpton School and play Sundays for us in the South East games programme region, Under 12s to Under 14s train 3 times a week, twice at Dumpton school, a Saturday morning if they play at home on the Sunday and then play Sunday games. Under 15s and 16s train on the grass at Chapel Gate on a Monday then come in all day Thursday to Chapel Gate and play Saturdays. |
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| 3 |
What does the typical week of a member of academy staff consist of? |
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A typical week is made up of coaching sessions , designing session plans, in their selected age groups, dealing with squad issues, arranging fixtures & holiday programmes, scouting and recruitment, emails and paperwork. |
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| 4 |
Is there an end of season 'exam' the youngsters need to take in order to progress? What criteria/attributes are they tested on before they can graduate to the next level? |
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Under 9s to Under 11s have assessments every 12 weeks, where staff have to give written feedback to players and parents. Under 12s to Under 16s have assessments every 6 weeks, in April the coaches and Full time staff decide on players to retain for the next season. |
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5 |
If player 'x' drops out at any stage during the season is a replacement sought for that player either from the outside, or promoted from within? |
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We have Development Centres that links in to the Academy, Players that perform well will be given trial periods in the Academy. Many of our current Academy players have come through the Development process. |
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6 |
What, from a staffing perspective, is the most rewarding aspect of being part of the Academy based system? |
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See players improve through the age groups and perform to a high level. |
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7 |
What is the most difficult aspect? |
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Releasing a player. |
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8 |
Do the Academy players get any input from the Cherries first team players as part of their development? |
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Steve Purches is a regular visitor to Dumpton and Steve Fletcher has been a couple of times. |
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9 |
How does the Academy set up differ from the Youth set up AFC Bournemouth had previously? |
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The youth team are now based at the stadium. They have 2 fully equipped classrooms for education studies; the club are now in the League Football Education programme (LFE); able to attend exit trials for U16 & U18; scholarship players can now be members of the PFA; training times increased & train every day. Now in the SE league which is challenging the players. The club also run a Day Release programme for U14, 15 & 16 players on Thursdays. Pro Football Support give U8 – U18 full sports science support inc fitness testing and weekly updates. |
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10 |
What is the longer term aim/objective of the Academy at Dean Court? |
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To produce players for the first team. It would be great to have some Academy players run out at Dean Court in the future for the first team. |
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11 |
How is the sponsorship money spent? What does that money buy that Academy squad? |
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Balls, Bibs, cones, hurdles, poles and also it helps towards the cost of the facility we hire. |
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12 |
How do you feel the Academy season is progressing to date? Is there anything that has been particularly pleasing so far? |
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Very well. We have moved to the South East region where we are up against some strong Academy’s. The players have to compete more now and play their football, it has certainly been a good start. The players pass out from the back all the time and against strong teams we are still finding ways to do this. |
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A very big thank you for the Academy staff who gave their time in giving this interview. |
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