| Youth Academies - non ITFC query 13:17 - Jun 27 with 2325 views | itfc_bucks |
My lad has shown a bit of promise and has had some interest from a couple of local EFL sides.
What exactly should I be looking for when sorting this stuff out? He's only 10, so still a way away from making a career out of it, so not worried about that end of the funnel.
Any thoughts?
Obviously, now I've asked this, nothing will pan out for him... |  | | |  |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:24 - Jun 27 with 2273 views | smallishmonkey |
Simply he still needs to enjoy himself, if he is no longer having fun its not worth it. Also depending on level the possibility that he may have to leave his grass routes team. | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:41 - Jun 27 with 2171 views | itfc_bucks |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:24 - Jun 27 by smallishmonkey |
Simply he still needs to enjoy himself, if he is no longer having fun its not worth it. Also depending on level the possibility that he may have to leave his grass routes team. |
That's a price I'd gladly pay.
Too many parents think that little Tarquin or Jemima are the next big thing and lose their minds when their little darlings are rotated off. | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:47 - Jun 27 with 2143 views | homer_123 |
A club that doesn't just develop their football talent but also helps them grow as a person.
Without wanting to be negative, the chances of 'making it' are small.
So, as others have said, he needs to enjoy it. Sessions should be fun and enjoyable as should be the atmosphere, especially at that age. |  |
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| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:49 - Jun 27 with 2138 views | MeenoITFC |
Always tough what to know is the right decision.
I went through it as a youth player, left Hitchin Town at a young age to join the elite development squad at Arsenal in walthamstowe. Played for 3 1/2 years and then lost the love for the game due to the regimented structure at such a young age (which ultimately impacted my results on the pitch) went back to play for baldock town and then found other careers as I left school.
I would say it depends on the level of team and coaches he plays for now, If he is getting a good standard of coaching and enjoying with his friends, he should improve there until you/him feel the time is right. If you can't see him improving and learning where he is now, I would say take the leap and try to support him instead of push him :) |  |
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| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:52 - Jun 27 with 2101 views | DinDjarin |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:41 - Jun 27 by itfc_bucks |
That's a price I'd gladly pay.
Too many parents think that little Tarquin or Jemima are the next big thing and lose their minds when their little darlings are rotated off. |
You think its bad at grass roots level then you will have a rude awakening at any academy.
I have seen and been on both sides of the fence. |  | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 14:03 - Jun 27 with 2043 views | SheffordBlue |
Dom Ball's book "From Winning Teams to Broken Dreams" gives a really good insight I think into progression through academies through the experiences of himself and some of his close friends. It might not help you pick one but might help you prepare for the experiences that come with it. | |
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| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 14:09 - Jun 27 with 2026 views | smallishmonkey |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:52 - Jun 27 by DinDjarin |
You think its bad at grass roots level then you will have a rude awakening at any academy.
I have seen and been on both sides of the fence. |
was just about to say this, different level ! | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 14:45 - Jun 27 with 1881 views | davblue |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 14:03 - Jun 27 by SheffordBlue |
Dom Ball's book "From Winning Teams to Broken Dreams" gives a really good insight I think into progression through academies through the experiences of himself and some of his close friends. It might not help you pick one but might help you prepare for the experiences that come with it. |
it's dog eat dog in those environments.
You want your child to get the best coaching that they can but those environments are tough, mentally you need to make sure your child is up to it as it's quite unforgiving. |  | | |
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| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 14:48 - Jun 27 with 1867 views | davblue |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 13:41 - Jun 27 by itfc_bucks |
That's a price I'd gladly pay.
Too many parents think that little Tarquin or Jemima are the next big thing and lose their minds when their little darlings are rotated off. |
there's a dad in my boys team under 7's who is hawking his lad around all of the clubs around here and he's being turned away every time.
Both parent's are on at him all the time, he's got some talent, but nowhere near an academy level IMO. | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 15:04 - Jun 27 with 1796 views | jontysnut |
My lad was at a league 1 club from 8 to 20. No longer playing due to injury. Lessons I learned were
Don't get carried away and take each season as it comes. Kids are released every year and while it's tough it's not the end. As one of his coaches said there's always someone after your shirt.
Enjoy it while it lasts. My son met new mates and he's still in touch with them.
As they get older keep them focused on school. The odds are they'll need those GCSEs
They need to enjoy it. We tried not to make him feel he was doing it to please us. We said while you're there nothing less than 110%, but tell us if you're fed up.
Prepare them for some sacrifices. Eating and drinking the right things, not going out before match days etc. Make sure they keep in touch with their usual mates.
Try not to coach them yourself. Even if you've got a UEFA A licence the club wants them to do things their way.
Whatever happens it will be a good experience - meeting different people, going to new places, learning a bit of self discipline and self sufficiency. Life lessons he can take into whatever comes next.
Good luck! |  | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 15:13 - Jun 27 with 1750 views | Heathlander |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 15:04 - Jun 27 by jontysnut |
My lad was at a league 1 club from 8 to 20. No longer playing due to injury. Lessons I learned were
Don't get carried away and take each season as it comes. Kids are released every year and while it's tough it's not the end. As one of his coaches said there's always someone after your shirt.
Enjoy it while it lasts. My son met new mates and he's still in touch with them.
As they get older keep them focused on school. The odds are they'll need those GCSEs
They need to enjoy it. We tried not to make him feel he was doing it to please us. We said while you're there nothing less than 110%, but tell us if you're fed up.
Prepare them for some sacrifices. Eating and drinking the right things, not going out before match days etc. Make sure they keep in touch with their usual mates.
Try not to coach them yourself. Even if you've got a UEFA A licence the club wants them to do things their way.
Whatever happens it will be a good experience - meeting different people, going to new places, learning a bit of self discipline and self sufficiency. Life lessons he can take into whatever comes next.
Good luck! |
This answer above is the best answer you will get. Don't treat it as if he is going to be the next Messi and your retirement fund. Let him make his own mistakes and rectify them. If it stops being fun stop doing it. |  | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 16:46 - Jun 27 with 1547 views | PrideOfTheEast |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 15:04 - Jun 27 by jontysnut |
My lad was at a league 1 club from 8 to 20. No longer playing due to injury. Lessons I learned were
Don't get carried away and take each season as it comes. Kids are released every year and while it's tough it's not the end. As one of his coaches said there's always someone after your shirt.
Enjoy it while it lasts. My son met new mates and he's still in touch with them.
As they get older keep them focused on school. The odds are they'll need those GCSEs
They need to enjoy it. We tried not to make him feel he was doing it to please us. We said while you're there nothing less than 110%, but tell us if you're fed up.
Prepare them for some sacrifices. Eating and drinking the right things, not going out before match days etc. Make sure they keep in touch with their usual mates.
Try not to coach them yourself. Even if you've got a UEFA A licence the club wants them to do things their way.
Whatever happens it will be a good experience - meeting different people, going to new places, learning a bit of self discipline and self sufficiency. Life lessons he can take into whatever comes next.
Good luck! |
The education piece is particularly important I imagine. Regardless of whether he makes it (sorry to be blunt) but what a great experience he'll potentially get. And future employers (especially big companies) jump over one another to get people that are both academic, but also challenge themselves in team environments. At worst this gives him a head start towards that if he gets the grades too. | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 17:39 - Jun 27 with 1478 views | TalkingBlues |
Depends on whether it is a RDC or proper academy side. Clubs have been very successful at monetising parents ambitions for their kids over the last few years and there’s hundreds of “Regional Development Centres” popped up all over the Country to cater for it, from a variety of clubs. You’ll know the difference, because one expects you to buy kit and pay for coaching (RDC) and a proper academy scouts you in and you pay nothing.
I suspect the RDC is what you are experiencing here (could be wrong) and they provide a good level of coaching at very reasonable rates, so not a complete con, just avoid feeing you have to spend a fortune on club specific kit, you can just wear a neutral Adidas/Nike etc set. The best thing to do is not get carried away, but treat them as some cheap coaching/training sessions that will improve the kids fitness and performance.
If it’s a proper scouted academy scenario, same thing really, just treat it as a good bit of training, but have zero expectations that it will lead anywhere and you can’t go wrong.
I have direct experience of both scenarios with my youngest, now 11, who plays for Norwich currently. |  |
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| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 19:42 - Jun 27 with 1296 views | itfc_bucks |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 15:04 - Jun 27 by jontysnut |
My lad was at a league 1 club from 8 to 20. No longer playing due to injury. Lessons I learned were
Don't get carried away and take each season as it comes. Kids are released every year and while it's tough it's not the end. As one of his coaches said there's always someone after your shirt.
Enjoy it while it lasts. My son met new mates and he's still in touch with them.
As they get older keep them focused on school. The odds are they'll need those GCSEs
They need to enjoy it. We tried not to make him feel he was doing it to please us. We said while you're there nothing less than 110%, but tell us if you're fed up.
Prepare them for some sacrifices. Eating and drinking the right things, not going out before match days etc. Make sure they keep in touch with their usual mates.
Try not to coach them yourself. Even if you've got a UEFA A licence the club wants them to do things their way.
Whatever happens it will be a good experience - meeting different people, going to new places, learning a bit of self discipline and self sufficiency. Life lessons he can take into whatever comes next.
Good luck! |
Thanks - that's really useful stuff to hear.
18months ago, while playing as a winger, a club showed some interest and had him down to their training. He hates it and asked me to stop taking him after a few months. I could understand why, but their setup seemed particularly shiiite. What we've seen elsewhere seems much more supportive.
I coached him at his first club. What this experience has taught me is that I'm a crap coach. I'm now just videographer, photographer and fan. This suits me better. Crucially, it also suits him better! | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 19:44 - Jun 27 with 1286 views | itfc_bucks |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 17:39 - Jun 27 by TalkingBlues |
Depends on whether it is a RDC or proper academy side. Clubs have been very successful at monetising parents ambitions for their kids over the last few years and there’s hundreds of “Regional Development Centres” popped up all over the Country to cater for it, from a variety of clubs. You’ll know the difference, because one expects you to buy kit and pay for coaching (RDC) and a proper academy scouts you in and you pay nothing.
I suspect the RDC is what you are experiencing here (could be wrong) and they provide a good level of coaching at very reasonable rates, so not a complete con, just avoid feeing you have to spend a fortune on club specific kit, you can just wear a neutral Adidas/Nike etc set. The best thing to do is not get carried away, but treat them as some cheap coaching/training sessions that will improve the kids fitness and performance.
If it’s a proper scouted academy scenario, same thing really, just treat it as a good bit of training, but have zero expectations that it will lead anywhere and you can’t go wrong.
I have direct experience of both scenarios with my youngest, now 11, who plays for Norwich currently. |
He's got interest from both sides, but I'm aware of the "scam" that is the RDC/JPL style setups.
The main thing for me is that I don't want him chasing my dream, I want him playing because he's good enough and enjoys it.
The day the second bit stops is the day he's pulled out. | | | |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 19:45 - Jun 27 with 1284 views | jontysnut |
| Youth Academies - non ITFC query on 17:39 - Jun 27 by TalkingBlues |
Depends on whether it is a RDC or proper academy side. Clubs have been very successful at monetising parents ambitions for their kids over the last few years and there’s hundreds of “Regional Development Centres” popped up all over the Country to cater for it, from a variety of clubs. You’ll know the difference, because one expects you to buy kit and pay for coaching (RDC) and a proper academy scouts you in and you pay nothing.
I suspect the RDC is what you are experiencing here (could be wrong) and they provide a good level of coaching at very reasonable rates, so not a complete con, just avoid feeing you have to spend a fortune on club specific kit, you can just wear a neutral Adidas/Nike etc set. The best thing to do is not get carried away, but treat them as some cheap coaching/training sessions that will improve the kids fitness and performance.
If it’s a proper scouted academy scenario, same thing really, just treat it as a good bit of training, but have zero expectations that it will lead anywhere and you can’t go wrong.
I have direct experience of both scenarios with my youngest, now 11, who plays for Norwich currently. |
My lad also did a pre-season at Liverpool's academy. The difference between that and what he was used to was phenomenal. Of course once you get to 15 ish you're competing against kids from all over the world. If they'd taken him on he would probably have had to move and stay with a host family and do his schoolwork there. As I said earlier though, it was a fantastic experience for him. Not so much for me having to drive him across the M62 at rush hour three nights a week to get there on time! Kirkby shopping centre makes Carr Street look like Rodeo Drive. | | | |
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