The Football Academy A partnership between Dover Athletic

The Football Academy A partnership between Dover Athletic FC and The Abbey School

Mission Statement ‘To provide elite football coaching of a professional standard to young players with ambition of progressing in the game with Dover Athletic, or other senior clubs, along with a structured academic / vocational educational programme that meets their learning needs’

What is a Football Academy? A programme of study accompanied with professional football development and coaching Aimed at Year 12/ 13/ 14 Structured games programme in Football Conference Youth League Football coaching to a high standard A choice of academic and vocational subjects

Main Aims of the Academy To improve young players’ technical ability To improve young players’ tactical awareness To improve young players’ physical fitness specific to the sport To improve young players’ mental approach to their performance To promote an environment where football becomes the catalyst for successful academic learning To promote self discipline and good sportsmanship and standards

Main Objectives Devise a technical / tactical syllabus and deliver it Develop individual personal fitness / training plans for each player Develop individual psychological profiles and develop techniques to improve mental approach to performance Provide 1 to 1 player reviews regularly with coach using specific log books designed by the Academy Provide competitive opportunities – school / club link Provide a tailored education provision that meets the academic needs of the individual Provide the educational support and guidance required to achieve on academic courses Provide FA & 1 st 4 sport coaching football qualifications at levels 1 and 2

What can the players / students do? A variety of different courses that fit with their football training program 12 / 15 lessons per week study time Football coaching Minimum 6 hours coaching and development, plus 1 game (Wednesday afternoons), representing Dover Athletic in the Football Conference Youth league. Coaching Provided by UEFA ‘A’ Licence coaches, including Andy Hessenthaler, the Manager of the Club FA Level 2 coaching football (year 2) 90 GLH Recognised as an international qualification The Abbey School to become an accredited centre for the delivery of FA qualifications

Application Procedures Open to any elite footballers from Year 11 or 12 in Kent in year 1. Stringent entry requirements on ability and character Students to apply using the Abbey School 6 th form application forms Entry will be accepted upon successful trial, subsequent interview and references.

Trial Dates Important Date!!!! The initial Academy Trials will be held at The Abbey school on the 05 th May (Tuesday), and 06 th May (Wednesday) starting at 5. 30 pm. If successful, final trials will be held the following Tuesday 12 th May. To book your place on the trial, application forms need to be completed and returned to the Head Teacher, Mrs Catrin Woodend. Contact will be made by phone or letter confirming your place on the trial. Alternative trial dates will be arranged if the need arises

After the trials Players will be contacted by letter to either: Invite them to attend a formal interview at the school, each player will be given a time slot. Or thank them for their attendance to the trials. It will be impossible to give every interested player a place as you can appreciate After the interview, students will be written to again offering them a place in the Academy, or placing them on a waiting list.

Academic choices Sixth Form Proposed Blocking 2009 -2010 Year Option A Option B Option C Option D Option E Year 12 Level 3 Courses Film Studies Biology ICT Psychology Business (D) Performing Arts (D) Sports Science (S) Maths English Art Business (S) Performing Arts (S) Sports Science (D) Enrichment Young Enterprise HE Compact CSLA Dance Leadership Cooking for survival Personal Finance Year 12 Level 2 Courses Child Dev Public Services ICT Business Health & Social Care Catering* Horticulture* Sports Science ALAN Football Academy Training sessions for small groups * Double option Level 3 students – 5 GCSE’s grade C or above. Any three subjects from DIFFERENT option blocks. Subjects with (D) indicate double award Level 2 students – less than 5 grade Cs Any two options from DIFFERENT OTION BLOCKS. Please note, the OPTION E block has been kept for the Academy, no subjects are available from this block Football academy. Matches & Training

Weekly programme The Academy training sessions have been ‘blocked out’ to ensure that the School could offer the best choice of courses available. At least two sessions per week will be together as a group, and one split, enabling smaller functional group work, and conditioning All students will be available on Wednesdays to be available for the Games program Andy Hessenthaler and Darren Hare to manage the delivery of coaching sessions

Games Programme Competitive fixture program of around 20 -24 games per season, with a 16 player squad Selection will be based on a rota system Students will have the opportunity for a game on a Sunday for Dover Athletic, if they do not play for the Academy on a Wednesday Students may also sign for their current / existing club to play on Sundays if they so wish. Games will be played at Dover Athletic FC Perry’s Stadium

Kit A Training kit pack will consist of the following; Shorts / socks x 2 Training shirt x 2 Sweatshirt x 1 Rain Jacket x 1 ¾ length bottoms x 2 Match Polo shirt and tracksuit x 1 All kit will be individually numbered according to your Academy squad number, and be branded with DAFC and School logo Kit Packs will cost £ 150. 00 through the school, payment plans available Boots. There will be discounted boot purchases through a top boot retailer. More details to follow

Academy Discipline expectations Excellent punctuality to all training sessions and Lessons Appropriate school dress for non Football related academic lessons Excellent attitude and application both on and off the field Both the school and the Club will demand that you maintain high standards when representing the Academy in fixtures in terms of your discipline. Any fines accrued for bookings / dismissals etc will be the responsibility of the player. In addition, failure to meet academic targets, and poor discipline issues could result in you forfeiting a training session or

Progression routes Higher Education (HE), University, Colleges Playing Contracts, either with Dover Athletic FC or other clubs in the county Employment in the leisure industry Employment in the growing football coaching industry either here or abroad Access to HE in the United States via their collegiate soccer scholarship program, trials will be available for Academy players after two years

What can you expect from the Academy? From the school………. Excellent pastoral care and advice Fantastic achievement in the 6 th Form Thriving BTEC National Certificate in sport program, with 100% achievement last year, with five students progressing to sports science degrees Excellent Careers and Guidance program From the club…………… Excellent Football education, games program Kent’s emerging Football club just winning promotion to the Conference league, providing a fantastic level of football to aspire to A very professional football club infrastructure with a fabulous fan base A pro-active Management team who want to promote from within