course brochure - Wetherby High School

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: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07779 142018
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01423 880675
Harrogate Town AFC in partnership with Wetherby High School
RECRUITING NOW
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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.
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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.
John Gray - Fitness Trainer
Programme Outline BTEC Level 3
Subsidiary Diploma in Sport Includes:

Principals Of Anatomy & Physiology

Physiology Of Fitness

Assessing Risk In Sport
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
Matt Hall-Naylor - Physiotherapist

Sports Coaching

Psychology For Sports Performance
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.
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Academy Programme
What is the course?
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.
What will I learn?
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.
The Harrogate Town Academy Programme is based on a two year commitment and breaks
down into 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
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
Tactical
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.
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.
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What are the entry
level requirements?
How will I be
assessed?
Future Opportunities
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.
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Physical
Education
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.
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.
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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.
Week in the
life of an
Academy
player
Wednesday
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.
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
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.
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!
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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
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.
Competitions
COMPETITIONS
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.
Facilities
FACILITIES
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.
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