FOUNDED 1853
ROYAL RUSSELL FOOTBALL ACADEMY FOOTBALL & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
ACADEMY FO O TBALL RO YAL RUSSELL
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OUR WINNING TEAM Royal Russell provides an outstanding all-round education in a supportive environment for those seeking a career in professional football. Our elite training squad enables us to focus on all players and create tailored development programmes. We have a proven track record of excellent academic results, providing pathways into professional football through British Universities and US College Scholarships. Royal Russell creates a culture of respect
that develops players on and off the pitch for lifelong skills in safe and nurturing surroundings. Our unparalleled facilities for coaching and teaching are all set on our stunning 110-acre campus surrounded by beautiful woodland just 30 minutes from Central London.
M A R K S I M M O NS Head of Football, Royal Russell School
M A R K S I M M O NS Head of Football, Royal Russell School
Mark joined Royal Russell in 2017 as Head of Football. Since joining, the School have won numerous National competitions, including U18 ISFA Sixes, Boodles Cup and League. At University, Mark made the English University team winning British BUSA final and going on to play for Great British University. This led to the honour of representing England in the Futsal UEFA Cup Qualifiers and World Cup, then captaincy for GB in the University World Cup. Mark is an FA Tutor, FA Mentor and was lead coach for South of England U19 Futsal team. He holds a UEFA B licence, Futsal UEFA B licence and FA youth module award 1-3 and runs CPD events for local county FAs.
K I R S TY B A R TO N Head of Girls’ Football, Royal Russell School Kirsty joined Royal Russell in 2023 and is the Head of Girls’ Football, responsible for growing and developing this exciting programme. She began her youth career at Chelsea FC where she remained for seven years. She signed for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2011 and became the club's longest-serving player. Kirsty joined Lewes FC in January 2023.
Royal Russell has established an industry-leading programme to support high performance in boys’ Soccer. An outstanding, imaginative and well resourced provision has been established to achieve this; it is hard to imagine that this is bettered by any school of similar type. The combination of recruitment, timetabling, coaching, performance support and the competition programme provides an outstanding experience for the participants. The national and international reputation of this area is well justified, and it is a niche of which the School is rightly proud. NEIL ROLLINGS Independent Schools Sport Consultant
F A B I O S A R A IV A Football Coach Fabio’s experience includes 4 years as the Head Coach of Crystal Palace Foundation Academy (Beckenham) and four years as a coach for the Charlton Athletic Trust; taking them to one of the most prestigious Youth Tournaments in the world, the Dallas Cup, for four years running. He holds both FA Level 2 and FA Youth module 1 qualifications. Fabio currently plays semi-professional football for Leatherhead FC in the Isthmian League. His previous clubs include Woking FC, Chatham Town and Merstham FC who he captained to promotion into the Ryman Premier Division.
L E E S M E LT Goalkeeping Coach
Lee has been the goalkeeping coach and team coach at Royal Russell for over four years and has been involved in two national cup successes at the School. He was also involved when the U15 team reached the national finals. Previously, Lee worked as a lead academy goalkeeping coach with Charlton Athletic FC and Arsenal FC and has been a professional goalkeeper with playing experience, most notably at Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City where he played in all four divisions of the football league prior to the Premier League. Lee holds the UEFA 'A' Licence, the FA 'A' Licence Goalkeeping award, the newly created UEFA Goalkeeping 'A' Licence and the FA Advanced Youth Award.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
8:15 – 08:45am
Tutoring and Registration
Tutoring and Registration
Tutoring and Registration
Tutoring and Registration
8:45 – 10:50am
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
10:50 – 11:10am
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Football Programme S&C performance analysis training
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Football Programme S&C performance specific training
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
12:45 – 1:50pm
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
1:50 – 3:50pm
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Academic Lessons and Study Periods
4:00 – 5:30pm
Tactical Team Session
Study
Study
Rest & Mobilisation
11:10am– 12:45pm
5:30 – 9:00pm
Independent Study
Competitive Fixtures & Match Preparation
Competitive Fixtures
Independent Study
Friday Tutoring and Registration Academic Lessons and Study Periods
Saturday
FO O TBALL
Monday
ACADEMY
An example timetable for a Year 12 pupil
04 8:30am – 12:30pm Football training/ fixtures
RO YAL RUSSELL
YOUR JOURNEY AT ROYAL RUSSELL
Pupils join the Royal Russell Football Academy in Year 12 and begin their journey on a two-year elite football and education programme. Schedules are personalised for each player, with an average of 12 hours of elite training per week plus regular League, Cup and friendly fixtures. At Royal Russell, the education for our elite athletes is second to none, with Level 3 BTEC National Diploma and A Level pathways available to all. This is scaffolded with unique pastoral care through our House system.
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ACADEMY
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS
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Our careers education provides players with access to top scouts and agents as well as scholarship links to the finest UK and international universities. Our Year 13 pupils successfully accept places at their chosen universities or directly enter employment in their chosen career.
UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS
Our careers education provides players with access to top scouts and agents as well as scholarship links to the finest UK and international universities. Our Year 13 pupils successfully accept places at their chosen universities or directly enter employment in their chosen career.
FOOTBALL SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS
FIXTURES AND EXPOSURE
At Royal Russell, we know that to be the very best, you have to play against the very best. We regularly win national football competitions and have reached the 1st round of the Boys’ FA Youth Cup playing against the likes of League 1 opposition Oxford Utd. We are proud of our extensive annual fixtures list which includes:
Fixtures against professional academies such as Charlton FC, AFC Bournemouth, Reading FC, Atletico Madrid, Real Valecano and Sparta Rotterdam
FA Youth Cup
Isthmian Youth League
HUDL National league made up of the best independent schools in the country
Top British Universities
The Boodles ISFA National Cup
The PlayStation ESFA Elite League and Cup
The ISFA England National team (subject to individual selection)
Other regional competitions
Through Wyscout and GPS Playertek, players have access to team and individual statistics for each game, giving evidence of strengths and areas for development. All footage is automatically ‘tagged’ and uploaded, which creates a playlist for all players, showing their individual clips for every match. These are used not only to develop players but strengthen CVs and opportunities.
FO O TBALL
ACADEMY We analyse players on an individual basis with real data at the cutting edge of sports science to help them reach their full potential. Performance analysis packages aid the development of both individuals and team performance, rivalling packages used by professional clubs at the very highest level.
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PLAYER INSIGHTS
ELITE SET-UP
Our full-time Elite performance environment instils a professional, competitive edge and a winning mentality.
COACHING
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ACADEMY
Our coaches have vast experience from the professional game including Category 1 academy settings and playing at the highest level.
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In addition, our coaches are highly qualified, with UEFA ‘A’ outfield, UEFA ‘A’ goalkeeping and FA youth modules. Players will receive individual technical skills training, unit work, tactical 11 v 11 development and monitored individual development plans.
FACILITIES Our facilities are amongst the finest in the world, with equipment and facilities usually only found in professional football clubs. The strength and conditioning suite is designed to improve all aspects of physical conditioning, ensuring our players are always at the top of their game.
Our full-time grounds staff make sure our flood-lit grass and astroturf pitches are of the highest quality. Well-equipped classrooms and personal changing spaces allow for comfort between training sessions.
CUTTING-EDGE SPORTS SCIENCE Royal Russell offers unparalleled support tailored to players’ needs; developing players physically and helping to prevent injury. Our relationship with universities such as Bath, Loughborough, Surrey and Bournemouth gives players access to strength and conditioning , physiological assessment, injury rehabilitation and nutritional programming services including 1-2-1 movement screening and periodised programme design for each player.
State of the art fitness testing allows players to understand and improve strengths and areas for development. Digital programmes are accessible to players with hyperlinks to online video demonstrations for all stages of the season. Players receive regular physiotherapy to ensure injury prevention and rehabilitation. Our team manage players’ loading through our Catapult GPS tracking system, with group strength and conditioning sessions and 1-2-1 sessions which are offered to players to improve specific areas.
ACADEMY
R H Y S N O RR ING TO N -D A V IE S Sheffield Utd FC & Wales International
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CASE STUDIES Moving to Royal Russell was the best decision I’ve made to this day. Trying to find the balance between full time education and playing football is always difficult, however Royal Russell made this possible.
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I used to dedicate a lot of my time to the football programme at Royal Russell , which meant I was vulnerable to falling behind on my workload. Fortunately, this did not occur as the staff made sure they provided me with the additional support I needed whether it was during or after school hours which lead to me achieving 3 A levels, a professional contract at SUFC and living my dream of playing for Wales in a major international tournament at the European Championships.
R E AN N A B L ADES Chelsea FC & England International
I joined Royal Russell in Nursery and in Year 3, the School recognised my talent and put me forward to play for Crystal Palace which is where my journey started. I currently play for Chelsea U21 and England U18, whilst also making my first team debut for Chelsea at 16 years old. The School recognised the importance of balancing both football and education and they were willing to help and support me throughout my journey. The School is highly organised, and I feel very supported. I receive one-to-one training during my football programme allocated periods which is incredibly beneficial for me and my development, the coaches at Chelsea tell me what I need to work on which I carry into my sessions at Royal Russell, therefore I can showcase this when I am at the club. Royal Russell has played a vital role in my football journey as well as education and has provided me with a well-balanced experience.
T Y R I QU E G EOR GE Chelsea FC & England International
I attended Royal Russell School from Year 6 through to Year 9. From the first visit to the School I fell in love with the facilities, the supportive attitude of the teachers and the family feeling of the other pupils. Royal Russell helped me to build confidence in subjects I needed support with and helped me to further develop my sporting ability. It offered me the coaching to help me develop my football, but also a chance to get involved in other sports such as tennis, swimming and badminton. I had some really great times at the School and I recommend it for any person with sporting ambitions.
J A C K H E NR Y- FR A NCIS Arsenal FC
Being at Royal Russell for my education had a very positive impact on me. I joined in Year 7 and Royal Russell recognised the importance of balancing both my education and football achievements. I felt continually supported and teachers were very helpful in organising and setting work to ensure I didn’t fall behind. The high standard of football training at school was very beneficial. My school work was continually monitored and I was offered help whenever I needed it. Royal Russell played a vital role in my football journey and provided me with an excellent well-balanced experience.
T U K I T A Y A LI Luton Town FC & Elon North Carolina
I joined Royal Russell in Year 2 and left at the end of my schooling to embark on my football career at Luton FC. Throughout my time at Royal Russell, I learnt valuable skills on and off the pitch which I still lean on today. The School created a plan for me that allowed me to flourish in my studies and keep performing on the pitch for the first team as well as Luton Town FC. This plan ultimately laid the foundation for me to receive a full scholarship to attend Elon University in the USA. I highly recommend Royal Russell if your passion lies in playing football at a high level and receiving a prestigious education.
C A M E RO N G B A D E BO Manchester City FC
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ACADEMY
I joined Royal Russell in Year 10 and the quality of the team that Royal Russell has every year speaks for itself. While I was there, we reached the final in two consecutive years, in the best national school cup competition you can be involved in. This really allowed me to keep on top of my game. The School also gave me the opportunity to play for ISFA England schools which was an amazing experience - I got to stay at St George’s Park and train and play a couple of games there as well.
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During my time I was trialling at academies and Royal Russell supported me through this journey. The facilities at the school are second to none, from the top class gym equipment all the way to the pitches that you wouldn’t see at most academies.
M O T H IB I P E N N-K E K AN A Dartmouth College US
Royal Russell gave me the opportunity to play at the very highest level while also supporting me academically. This has allowed me to continue playing at a high level and achieve my goal of securing a scholarship at Dartmouth. The memories of winning the National Cup for the School will continue to be my fondest.
S A M L O NG Lincoln City FC
I joined Royal Russell in Year 10 and settled in very quickly. The training helped me progress as a goalkeeper in an environment which is similar to a professional club. The School fully supported my many trials at pro clubs. My teachers were incredibly supportive in helping me catch up on any missed work, which helped me achieve great academic results. I was lucky enough to be a part of a history-making season, when we won both the Boodles ISFA title and the Elgin League, as well as the ISFA Sixes tournament. I would recommend Royal Russell to anyone who is aiming to improve their football significantly whilst maintaining a high level of education. I will always be grateful for Royal Russell’s support in becoming a professional player.
R O S H AN G R E EN SA LL Colchester Utd FC
When I first arrived at Royal Russell I was impressed right away by the coaching. I was supported by the strength and conditioning team, who helped to transform me physically. Being surrounded by other goalkeepers that wanted to play ahead of me motivated me to train even harder to be the best. The educational side of Royal Russell was really understanding and flexible and teachers went out of their way to support me on countless occasions. I would fully recommend Royal Russell to any player.
A D A O K O RE G H E YE Amherst College US
My two years at Royal Russell were crucial for my development as both a student and an athlete. The student athlete culture at Royal Russell has helped me acclimatise quickly to the rigorous workload I currently have in the States.
Playing for the first team, provided me with great exposure to coaches in America and ultimately provided me with the platform to study with a significant scholarship at one of the premier colleges in the US.
Spain, La Liga, Madrid
Holland, Eredivsie, Ajaz Amsterdam
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ACADEMY
FOOTBALL TOURS
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We encourage a healthy balance of academic rigour and co-curricular participation, where pupils can try something new, explore alternative interests and unearth hidden talents. We run an exciting programme of over 40 enriching clubs and activities, in which all pupils are encouraged to participate, enhance their studies, learn new skills, extend their friendship groups or simply just have fun and relax at the end of a busy school day. There is something for everyone, from creative and expressive clubs to physical and mentally challenging clubs.
Our tours provide players opportunities to experience different footballing cultures and styles of play.
Royal Russell Football Tours have taken players to some of the best sporting destinations and leagues in the world:
England, St George’s Park, National Football Centre
HOW DO I APPLY? We’re delighted you are considering Royal Russell. You will receive a warm welcome from the first phone call, during your visit and throughout the joining process. We are happy to answer any questions and guide you through the admissions process.
If you agree that Royal Russell offers an outstanding educational and pastoral experience within a family school and would like to register, your next step is to complete our Registration Form. At this stage a registration fee of £100 (or £150 for a Boarding place) is payable. Once registered, we will contact you with further information regarding assessments, interviews and taster days to complete the application. We offer scholarships for outstanding candidates. The admissions team can give you details of the football scholarship day where players are assessed through fitness testing. Bursaries are available to a small number of pupils who are offered a place but require financial assistance. Every bursary is means-tested and the value of the bursary is related to the income and financial resources of the pupil's family.
For further Information and to register please contact our Admissions Team on: adm issions@royalrussell.co.uk 020 8657 4333
Royal Russell School Coombe Lane, Croydon Surrey, CR9 5BX Admission Enquiries: admissions@royalrussell.co.uk 020 8657 4433 www.royalrussell.co.uk