Football at Bede's, Q&A

Football Q&A

How many teams are there?

In total, we usually have around 15 teams across the various year groups here at Bede’s. This includes an A, B and C team at junior level and five teams at senior level plus a junior and senior girls’ team.

Who are the coaches at Bede’s?

The coaching team is led by David Caryer, who is a UEFA B level coach and also coaches the Sussex U18 squad. He is supported by Dan Harding who is also a UEFA B level coach and ex- professional who played for both Championship and Premier League teams, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Southampton, Reading and Millwall during his career. Oliver Davis also coaches our teams and is Academy Director for the La Liga Camps which train at Bede’s during the Easter and Summer school holidays. We also have a number of support and specialist position coaches to complement the exceptional coaching provision available.

Is there a bespoke programme for goal-keepers?

Yes, goal-keepers receive individualised coaching two-three hours a week from our specialist goalkeeping coach as well as training with the rest of the team. Our specialist coach works closely with pupils to deliver effective goalkeeping practices and master technical and tactical techniques.

Do you have a relationship with a particular professional club?

Whilst Bede’s does not have a formal relationship in place with a professional club, we do have strong links with Brighton, in part, due to the current and ex pupils who are currently playing within the club. We also have connections and regular dialogue with other major Premiership clubs in the South East region such as Crystal Palace.

How do you support pupils who are on a professional pathway?

We have a great depth of experience in supporting pupils on professional sporting pathways in a variety of sports, including football. We currently have six pupils playing at Academy level for Premiership clubs as well as England.

This means that our coaches build relationships with the club or national coaching team and our academic liaison contact (usually a Year Head or the pupil’s personal tutor) will communicate with the Education Team at club or country level. We work closely with the pupils themselves (and their parents) in order to ensure that there are clear communication lines and pupils are supported to maintain their academic studies balancing with the demands of their club, particularly during potential pressure points such as public exams or important tournaments or tours.

How much coaching do pupils receive every week?

The 1st and 2nd teams usually train for 8-10 hours per week which will also include a personalised strength and conditioning programme, yoga and non-impact work. Players in other teams are likely to receive around 7 or 8 hours training a week. There is also an opportunity to receive further coaching in our Football Academies which range from 1.5 hrs per week in Year 9,12 and 13 to 2.5 hrs per week in Year 10 and 11. Personalised programmes ensure that pupils have a manageable balance between their sport and academics.

How many matches are played?

During the average season, the Academy players would be playing at least 35 fixtures which will often include a midweek Cup game and the usual fixture programme matches which are played on Saturdays.

What kind of strength and conditioning support do Bede’s offer?

Bede’s has a full-time strength and conditioing coach, Tony Morriss, who works with all pupils who are interested in physical fitness and training. Tony also offers bespoke and small group support for our elite level players, working closely with David Caryer and the coaches. Having dedicated his career to training young people, he is extremely experienced in supporting young athletes through growth-related problems, including Osgood Schlatters and Sever’s Disease. More broadly he supports pupils in their prehab and rehab programmes.

Are the matches videoed/streamed live?

Matches are recorded using Veo cameras and uploaded to HUDL software for analysis and player clipping.

What individual analysis is involved in the Professional Pathway Programme?

Players and coaches clip using HUDL, then coaches give players feedback through the HUDL software to improve and develop our young athletes.

Do the players wear GPS vests during games?

1st XI players use GPS technology in order to track their workloads and physical conditioning.

How does the girls programme at Bede’s work?

The girls’ football programme at Bede’s is growing in popularity. Currently we have three pupils who are playing for Premiership academy programmes and Bede’s works closely with the coaches both to support the girls’ academic development and complement their development as players.

We have junior and senior girls’ teams which train twice a week (plus fixtures) throughout the whole academic year, across all three terms. The girls’ teams compete in a regular fixtures programme, and regional and national competitions.

Girls who are playing at a competitive or Elite level have the option of playing in boys’ teams

if it is felt this will help them develop their technical skills and physicality. Elite level players also have the opportunity to train additionally as part of the Academy Programme (which at a junior level can involve taking one less academic subject as this training takes place within the academic, rather than co-curricular timetable).

How does the Academy Programme work?

Which competitions does Bede’s compete in?

As well as the usual fixtures against other schools who have football academies, Bede’s plays in the Hudl League. Our top junior teams also play in the Elgin League. We also compete in County and National Cups, including ISFA and ESFA.

We have different academy programmes across the various age groups. All pupils must participate in trials to be eligible for the Academy Programme. Trials take place annually at the start of each academic year. In the junior years, Academy players will need to take one less academic subject in order to accommodate the additional training time within their timetable. At Sixth Form,the pupils choose this as one of their options. Academy places may not always fit with the pupil’s option choices and this may mean the pupil does not participate in the programme, joins a different age group programme or changes subject option choices (although these issues are rare).

How does Bede’s support players who are on a professional pathway?

Bede’s has excellent pedigree in this regard having supported a number of pupils through to professional playing careers. We currently have six pupils within the School who are training within Premiership academies, notably Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea. This includes one girl who is also playing at National U17 level.

This means that our coaches will work closely with the pupil’s club coaching team in order to ensure that we are supporting their development in the most effective and meaningful way. We also support their additional academic needs, particularly where pupils are required to be absent from school for periods due to an international or club tour, for example, or are on regular day release to their club.

How does Bede’s ensure that pupils achieve a good balance of academics and football?

Bede’s as a school is well recognised for the quality of its sports coaching and facilities, however, we recognise that we are not a football academy - we are a school! As such, achieving equilibrium across sports training, fixtures and the academic programme is crucially important.

Every pupil at Bede’s has a tutor and primarily it will be a pupil’s tutor who keeps track of a pupils progress to ensure that their sporting commitments are not overshadowing their academic progress. It is important that there is strong three-way communication between the pupil, their tutor and parents to ensure progress across both pathways.

Occasionally communications may also involve a pupil’s coach; the coaching team at Bede’s do not work in a silo and are closely connected with the life of the school more broadly and are happy to be part of any conversation regarding how a pupil can achieve the best balance across all areas of their life at Bede’s.

Does Bede’s offer football scholarships?

Bede’s offers scholarships for entry into Year 9 and Year 12 to a maximum level of fee remission of 10% of day fees. In addition to this means-tested financial support is also available through our Bursary Programme. More information on scholarships and bursaries is available via the Admissions Department at admissions@bedes.org The scholarship programme for entry into Year 12 takes place in the Autumn Term and for entry into Year 9, at the start of the Spring Term. Please note, pupils are required to have completed the main admissions process ahead of scholarships and as part of the scholarship process will be required to attend a selection day, which will include technical and physical assessments.

In addition to scholarships, we also offer exhibition and academy awards also, whereby pupils benefit from all the additional added value associated with the coaching programme but do not receive fee remission.

Does Bede’s support pupils who are applying for University sports scholarships, particularly in the United States?

Yes, Bede’s has a good track record of supporting pupils who are continuing their sport at a higher level, including those who are seeking highly competitive football scholarships in the US. Bede’s offers specialist applications support (having a member of staff who attended a US University on a football scholarship) which includes SAT. Our football coaches also support pupils with any video evidence that they are required to supply as well as references.