HARROGATE TOWN AFC FOOTBALL ACADEMY 2015/16
Harrogate Town AFC in partnership with
HARROGATE TOWN AFC ACADEMY PROGRAMME 2015/2016
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e 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 Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance & Excellence).
Players are coached 3 half days a week by UEFA qualified coaches at our training facility at Harrogate College. All players follow a rigorous programme of study and coaching to develop their talent, whilst working towards nationally recognised sports qualification alongside their training. Players will compete in the British Colleges League. 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 at College 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 to gain paid coaching work with local employers. Harrogate Town AFC Academy run their football programme in partnership with Harrogate College, an experienced education provider.
Education
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e all appreciate the importance of our players attaining nationally recognised qualifications to go alongside the excellent football programme we offer. Our specialist education department deliver a variety of high quality courses at our education facility within Harrogate College. 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 within sport and education.
Meet the team... Simon Weaver First Team Manager/Academy Assistant Coach Simon is a driving force behind the clubs belief to give young talent opportunities at First Team level when the time is right. A valued member of the Academy set-up and is a current A License Coach.
Mike Bligh Academy Head 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. Mike has also completed his Youth Modules 1 & 2 Awards in football.
Rachel Davis Physiotherapist Although predominantly working with the first team, Rachel is equally active and supportive towards Academy players needs. She treats both First team and Academy players with the same meticulous professionalism.
Academy Programme The Harrogate Town Academy Programme is based on a two year commitment and includes two distinct areas of work: • The development of talented young football players • The opportunity to gain qualifications that will help to secure future employment.
Football Mike Bligh will work together with Harrogate College to compile a four pronged approach to the football programme. It revolves around these headings - Technical, Tactical, Psychological and Physical.
Technical It’s all about the ball, how the players 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 players 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 naturally to some more than others, it’s a quality that can be worked on and improved. Responsibility for supporting the players, 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.
Physical 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.
Example of a week in the life of an Academy player Monday
Tuesday
First day back after a nice break and it’s an early start.
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.
9.00 into classroom to put finishing touches on latest module, Looking forward to training at 12.30.
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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.
Cool down day. Into class for 9.00 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.
Catch up day for course work that has to be completed. Training full on today, high tempo and fun session which was excellent. Looking forward to the weekend.
Saturday
Sunday
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!
Programme Outline BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance & Excellence) Year 1 includes:
Year 2 includes:
• Principals Of Anatomy & Physiology • Physiology Of Fitness • Assessing Risk In Sport • Fitness Training & Programming • Psychology For Sports Performance • Sports Nutrition
Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma plus: • Practical Team Sports • Current Issues In Sport • Sports Development • Leadership In Sport • Sports Injuries • Exercise, Health & Lifestyle • Instructing Physical Activities • Talent Identification In Sport • Rules, Regulations & Officiating • Organising Sports Events • Sport As A Business
Education Programme
Individual Player Support
What are the entry level requirements?
Alongside the main sport programme students will need to study English and maths if they have not already achieved grade C or above at GCSE. Students will also have individual learning reviews once a week with experienced student coaches. They will also participate in work experience.
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.
4 GCSEs at C and above including Maths, English and Science. Successful completion of GSCE Physical Education is beneficial but not mandatory.
How will I be assessed?
The course is mainly coursework based. Students complete a number of assignments against a criterion to distinguish what level they are (Pass, Merit or Distinction). Possible assessment methods include: Written assignments; Podcasts; Presentations and Videos.
Progression
Advice and guidance is available in year 2 on progression opportunities. These will include employment opportunities such as American Soccer scholarships and progression into further and higher education, including university applications.
HARROGATE TOWN AFC FOOTBALL ACADEMY 2015/16
be a part of
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special www.harrogatetownafc.com/team/academy Email: mikebligh@harrogatetownafc.com Contact Harrogate College on Email: oncourse@harrogate.ac.uk Phone: 01423 878211