HARROGATE TOWN AFC ACADEMY 2014/15 Be A Part Of HARROGATE TOWN AFC FOOTBALL ACADEMY 2014/15 Something Special www.harrogatetownafc.com/team/academy Email: mikebligh@harrogatetownafc.com Email: paulbolland79@gmail.com Telephone: 07779 142018 Email: dkeane@wetherbyhigh.co.uk Phone: 01423 880675 Harrogate Town AFC in partnership with Wetherby High School RECRUITING NOW 12 1
HARROGATE TOWN AFC ACADEMY PROGRAMME 2014/2015 We are looking to recruit the next generation of football talent to add to our current crop of young players. Harrogate Town AFC Academy offer a high quality football development experience to all players with highly qualified coaches. Players who successfully gain a place in the Academy work towards a BTEC Level 3, Development, Coaching & Fitness. Players are coached 5 days a week by UEFA qualified coaches at our brand new 3G facility, Wetherby High School Campus Programme Outline BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport Includes: Individual Player Support and progress reviews All Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Plus Practical Team Sports Sports Nutrition Current Issues In Sport Sports Development Leadership In Sport All players will receive high quality individual support from tutors and coaches throughout the programme including progress reviews on both the technical football programme and education progress on a regular basis. The reviews will focus on progress and time framed action points to ensure progress. Tutors can also provide support for any additional learning needs if required. Sports Injuries Exercise, Health & Lifestyle Instructing Physical Activities Talent Identification In Sport Rules, Regulations & Officiating Organising Sports Events Sport As A Business Progression Advice and guidance is available in year 2 on progression opportunities. These will include employment opportunities, American Soccer scholarships and progression into further and higher education, including university applications. All players follow a rigorous programme of study and coaching to develop their talent., whilst working towards nationally recognised sports qualification along side their training. Players will compete in the Conference Youth Alliance and have the chance of competing in the FA Youth Cup competition. All Academy players have the opportunity to gain their FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football. The course which is included as part of the players development programme is delivered on campus by an FA Qualified tutor. Academy players who successfully complete their Level 1 Certificate will have the opportunity to progress onto their Level 2 Certificate in Coaching. The course is offered at discounted rate and will enable the players gain paid coaching work with local employers. Harrogate Town AFC Academy run their football programme in partnership with Wetherby High School, an experienced education provider. 2 11
MEET THE TEAM Simon Weaver First Team Manager/Academy Assistant Coach Simon is a driving force behind the clubs believe to give young talent opportunities at First Team level when the time is right. A valued member of the Academy setup and is a current A License Coach. Paul Bolland - Academy Head Coach Education Programme Our core qualifications are BTEC Sport at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and the majority of players will study for either the BTEC Level 2 Diplomas in sport or the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport within the first year of the programme. Progression opportunities exist to move forward in year 2, with additional level 3 units to achieve either the Level 3 Diploma or Level 3 Extended Diplomas in sport. Players are also able to complete the FA Level 1 Coaching Football Award Certificate as additional qualifications, plus functional skills in Maths and English if required. Highly experienced professional player who has played for Bradford City, Grimsby Town & Harrogate Town amongst others. Paul is highly driven to succeed in giving the best opportunities possible to talented people in both sport and life. Paul is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence. Mike Bligh - Academy Assistant Coach Current Head Coach of Harrogate Town Development Squads, Mike has good local knowledge and has worked for Middlesbrough Football Cub for the past 5 years as a development coach. Mike is a current UEFA B Licence coach. Programme Outline BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Sport Includes: Principals Of Anatomy & Physiology Physiology Of Fitness Assessing Risk In Sport John Gray - Fitness Trainer Previously he has worked for Grimsby Town FC and has undertaken research in conjunction with Bolton Wanderers FC. A qualified conditioning coach, personal trainer and sports therapist, he has recently received the VC s Exceptional Person award from York St John University for his work in developing disability and inclusive sport in the region. Fitness Training & Programming Sports Coaching Psychology For Sports Performance Matt Hall-Naylor - Physiotherapist Although predominantly working with the first team, Matt is equally active and supportive towards Academy players needs. He treats both First team and Academy players with the same meticulous professionalism. 10 3
Academy Programme The Harrogate Town Academy Programme is based on a two year commitment and breaks down into two distinct areas of work: Football The development of talented young football players The opportunity to gain qualifications that will help to secure future employment. Paul Bolland and Mike Bligh work together to compile a four pronged approach to the football programme. It revolves around these headings - Technical, Tactical, Psychological and Physical. Technical Its all about the ball, how the boys receive it and what they do with it. We set out to develop their strengths and improve their weaknesses. We are strong believers in not knocking the natural ability out of them. It is stating the obvious to say the boys will all have different skill levels when they join us but each of them will have it within their power to improve and we work with them to make that happen. As a club, we play a passing game and training sessions are always organised with that in mind. Tactical It is inevitable that new players will be tactically naïve and as coaches, we take great satisfaction, from seeing how much they have progressed in that regard by the time they leave. The object of the exercise is to instil good habits and give them an understanding of their role within the team. Apart from our day to day work on the training ground, we achieve that with the aid of video analysis. Through game breaker, we assess their performance in matches and monitor their understanding of the role. Psychological Football is a demanding business and you need to be mentally strong to be successful at any reasonable level of the game. Although that comes more naturally to some than others., it s a quality that you can work on and improve. Responsibility for supporting the boys, especially if they are having a tough time, lies squarely with the coaching staff and we work with them on areas such as concentration, discipline, self control and self confidence. 4 What is the course? What will I learn? What are the entry level requirements? How will I be assessed? Future Opportunities The BTEC National Level 3 in Sport is a programme designed to provide a specialist work related qualification in the sports sector. The course provides students with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to prepare for employment. The qualification gained is recognised by Higher Education Institutions for students who wish to continue their studies or training within the sports sector. On completion of the Diploma award, students gain a qualification equivalent to two A Levels. The course is run over 2 years and students will cover 12 units of work. Of these 12 units 9 are mandatory and 3 are optional units. Units include: Anatomy & Physiology, Fitness Testing, Risk in Sports, Sports Coaching, Sports Development, Practical Sports, Nutrition, Leadership, Psychology, Injuries & Business. 5 GCSE s at C and above including Maths, English and Science. Successful completion of GSCE Physical Education is beneficial but not mandatory. The course is coursework based, there are no exams. Students complete a number of assignments against a criterion to distinguish as to what level they are (Pass, Merit or Distinction). Possible assessment methods include: Written assignments; Podcasts; Presentations and Videos. On completion of the course, students can continue their studies at colleges and universities on a number of degree courses. Students will have also developed the skills and knowledge for employment within the sports industry. 9
Physical Education It is absolutely essential in the modern game that you reach and retain a high standard of fitness and our daily work schedule is designed to improve endurance, agility, balance and core stability. Our specialist fitness coach helps the players with their personal development plan, which includes advice on nutrition and how to live well as an athlete. Regular fitness tests enable us to keep a careful check on the fitness levels of the players. W e all appreciate the importance of our players attaining nationally recognised qualifications to go along side the excellent football programme we offer. Our specialist education department deliver a variety of high quality courses at our education block within Wetherby High School. Week in the life of an Academy player Wednesday Monday First day back after a nice break and its an early start. 9.30 into classroom to put finishing touches on latest module, Looking forward to training at 12.30. Thursday Tuesday Matchday preparation lies ahead, but first into Physio class. Training starts prompt at 12.30 and we work on shape. Squad announced and I have been included. Friday Academy players are offered a 2 year scholarship which allows them to gain qualifications suitable to individual needs and aspirations. Our learning journey is a structured process which gives players the very best chance of success with football and education. Early start for match day, away trip via coach to play Stockport. Run through team, tactics and ready to go. Long journey but worth it as we win 2-1. Saturday Cool down day. Into class for 9.30 to work on the business side of football. After, players who where involved in the game go for a swim, while others go to gym. Sunday Catch up day for course work that has to be complete, Training full on today, high tempo and fun session which was excellent. Looking forward to the weekend. If first team are at home it is expected that we go and help out down at the ground, sell programmes, clean up & help first team players, if not may go to gym. Rest day, keeping myself fresh for the week ahead and drinking plenty of water to ensure I'm in best possible condition for a tough week. Grimsby in FA Youth Cup! 8 5
Competitions COMPETITIONS Facilities FACILITIES The Football Conference Youth Alliance (known sometimes as the Conference Youth Alliance) was formed in 2005 as the official U19s Youth League for non-league semiprofessional and in some cases, professional teams who compete in the Football Conference league and respective nonleague competitions in England. Teams who compete in the Football Conference Youth Alliance combine football training with education, offering 16-18 year olds the chance to play elite youth football at U19s level and gain academic qualifications at BTEC National or Diploma level, operating on a similar model to that of the Football League Youth Alliance and FA Premier Academy League. The league comprises seven divisions, (North, Central, Southern Premier and Southern A, B, and C). The title winners of each of the seven Football Conference Youth Alliance divisions go into a 'Championship Play Off' to find the 'National Football Conference Youth Alliance Champion' each season. The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under 18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part. It is dominated by the youth sides of professional teams, mostly from the Premier League, but attracts over 400 entrants from throughout the country. Training & League Match Days All course work, pre match training and preparation will take place at Wetherby High School in classroom environment and training on the brand new 3G facility. Wetherby High School have had many successful players walk through the doors Seb Hines (Middlesbrough) and Micah Richards (Manchester City & England) are just a couple! With a proud history behind them, Wetherby High School would like you to become their future star. FA Youth Cup All home FA Youth cup fixtures will be played at the home of Harrogate Town AFC, The CNG Stadium At the end of the Second World War the FA had decided to organise a Youth Championship for County Associations considering it the best way to stimulate the game among those youngsters not yet old enough to play senior football. The matches did not attract large crowds but outstanding players were selected for Youth Internationals and thousands were given the chance to play in a national contest for the first time. In 1951 it was realised that a competition for clubs would probably have a wider appeal. The FA Youth Challenge Cup (season 1952-53) was restricted to the youth teams of clubs, both professional and amateur, who were members of the FA. 6 7