FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PROGRAMME FOR EXCELLENCE ACADEMY

REGULATIONS 2009–10
FA Rule C4 (b) applies to all players within The FA Programme for Excellence. There are two types
of recognised and Licensed Centres of Excellence for the purpose of FA Rule C4 (b), to be known
as Centres of Excellence and Football Academies.


1. Purpose
The purpose of The FA Programme for Excellence is to identify players of outstanding ability
and place them in a technical and educational programme designed to produce football
excellence in conjunction with personal development.
2. Scope
The Programme for Excellence incorporates the following activities:
2.1 •Centres of Excellence
• Football Academies
2.2 All FA Premier League Clubs are encouraged to operate a Football Academy.
2.3 Clubs operating a Football Academy may not operate a Centre of Excellence.
2.4 FA Premier League and Football League Clubs may not designate any technical or
educational programme as a Centre of Excellence or Football Academy unless that
Centre of Excellence or Football Academy is licensed by The FA Premier League
and Football League under these regulations.
3. Quality Control
3.1 The Football Association authorises The FA Premier League and the Football League
to award Licences for Centres of Excellence and Football Academies to FA Premier
League Clubs and Football League Clubs, providing the control requirements, as
outlined, are met.
3.2 The FA Premier League is authorised to award Licences to operate Football
Academies and Centres of Excellence to FA Premier League Clubs.
3.3 The Football League is authorised to award Licences to operate Centres of
Excellence and Football Academies to Football League Clubs.
3.4 Requirements to authorise the award of Licences:
• It is a requirement of The FA Premier League and Football League to award
Licences in accordance with the criteria as agreed by The Football
Association. www.tonys-soccer-school.net
• The FA Premier League and Football League agree to the following Quality
Control mechanism to ensure The FA Criteria, as determined by The FA after
full consultation, are maintained.
3.4.1. Applications Forms – To reflect the agreed criteria and be available for
review on request of the Technical Control Board.
3.4.2. Monitoring – The FA Premier League and the Football League to
institute a programme of visits to monitor the criteria. Each Centre of
Excellence and Football Academy to be visited a minimum of three times
per season.
3.4.3. Reports – Each visit to a Centre of Excellence/Football Academy to be
reported and copies of the reports to be available for review on the
request of the Technical Control Board.
3.4.4. Review – Each Centre of Excellence/Football Academy to be provided
with an annual review, based on a minimum of three visiting reports. The
annual reviews to be made available to the Technical Control Board for
review.
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3.4.5. Registration
3.4.5.1. The FA Premier League Academy Department, and the Football League
Academy Department, to be responsible for the registration of all players
on Football Academy Forms. Age registration to operate from
September 1st of each year.
3.4.5.2. Registration Forms to be agreed by The Football Association.
3.4.5.3. Registration to be via either a Centre of Excellence or Football Academy
form.
3.4.5.4. The FA Premier League and Football League to be responsible for the
registration of all Centres of Excellence forms. Age registration to
operate from September 1st of each year.
3.4.5.5. Players registered as Associate Schoolboys before July 31st 1998 will
have their registrations maintained until the completion of their full time
education.
3.4.5.6. Players registered as Associate Schoolboys before July 31st 1998 or
registered on Centres of Excellence forms, with a Football Academy or
Centre of Excellence, and unable to comply with the travelling time
requirements, may receive coaching until completion of their full-time
education in 1999 or 2000 at either a satellite Football Academy or
satellite Centre of Excellence, or a Centre of Excellence or Football
Academy operated by another club with permission of that club.
3.4.5.7. The Associate Schoolboy registration to be abolished from August 1998
and no players to be registered on Associate Schoolboy forms after
August 1st 1998. All the existing benefits of the Associate Schoolboy
Registration Scheme to be retained under the regulations regarding the
Centres of Excellence Scheme – with the exception of distance
registrations.
3.4.5.8. Players signed on Football Academy forms are not under any
requirement to play football for teams provided by the player’s school,
Schools FA, or Football Academy. The player’s activities should be
organised in the best interest of the player’s technical, educational,
academic and social welfare with the approval of the parents in
conjunction with the player’s school, and the Football Academy Director.
3.4.5.9. Schoolboys registered with The FA Premier League and Football League
as Football Academy players, may not register with another affiliated
club during that playing season.
3.4.6. Fixtures – The FA Premier League and Football League to provide a programme of
fixtures for Football Academies and Centres of Excellence as outlined below.
Academy Football: friendlies and affiliated competitions to be organised and
administered on behalf of Academies by The FA Premier League, in consultation
with the Football League, on the basis of one game per week – a maximum of 30
games per season – recommended as:
• Under 18 years of age – maximum 14 teams per league (strictly youth
football)
• Under 21 years of age – maximum 14 teams per league (and a maximum of
three over-age players per team).
Normal disciplinary measures will be in operation, i.e. players cautioned or sent off
will be reported to The Football Association.
3.4.7. Compensation – The FA Premier League and Football League to agree a procedure
for appeals with regard to compensation. The safeguards and systems currently
operating with regard to the Associate Schoolboy Scheme would be replicated and
maintained. Compensation will be no less than is currently operating.
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3.4.8. Rules – The FA Premier League to incorporate the criteria for Football Academies
and Centres of Excellence into the rules of The FA Premier League. The Football
League to include the criteria for Football Academies and Centres of Excellence in
the rules of the Football League.
3.4.9. Appeal – Clubs may appeal to The Football Association with regard to decisions of
The FA Premier League and Football League concerning the operation of Centres of
Excellence and Football Academies.
3.4.10. Fees – Registration fees and Licence fees to be at the discretion of the Leagues.
3.4.11. Learning Programme And Support Service – The FA Premier League and Football
League recognize the role of The Football Association to outline the required
learning programme and provide the necessary support service to assist clubs
deliver their programme.
3.4.12. Football Calendar – In agreement with The Football Association, a minimum of four
weekends (Friday p.m. to Sunday p.m.) to be allocated throughout each season,
without Academy and Centres of Excellence fixtures, to be used for:
• International Development
• Selected Players Courses
• In-Service Training of Coaches and Staff
3.4.13. Communication – The FA Premier League and Football League to provide for
parents (on any occasion that a player signs a registration form and annually) the
rules and guidelines relating to Football Academies and Centres of Excellence, with
regard to: registration Welfare, educational needs, priority of activities.
3.4.14. Technical – Academies to provide a Broad Learning Programme regarding
Technical and Academic outcomes, as agreed by The Association.
3.4.15. Quality Audit – The FA Technical Director will evaluate the performance of Football
Academies on objective criteria (including technical, academic, welfare and
disciplinary aspects).
3.4.16. Child Protection
3.4.16.1. All staff and volunteers involved at a Football Academy/Centre of
Excellence must be registered by the Football Academy/Centre of
Excellence. The register must be kept up to date and no person who is
not registered shall have any involvement with the Football
Academy/Centre of Excellence. This requirement shall apply to all
persons involved at the Football Academy/Centre of Excellence,
including coaching and administrative and ancillary staff and volunteers,
talent spotters, drivers etc.
3.4.16.2. The register shall be liable to inspection and verification at any time by
The F.A.P.L./F.L. as appropriate.
3.4.16.3. All persons who may come into contact with minors through their
involvement at a Football Academy/Centre of Excellence must complete
and submit to the Football Academy/Centre of Excellence a selfcertification
form in relation to child protection issues. All such persons
may also be the subject of criminal and other record checks with the
Police or Social Services. The self-certification form shall be as
determined by The Football Association from time to time.
3.4.16.4. One person at each Football Academy/Centre of Excellence shall be
designated as having responsibility for child protection issues as part of
the promotion of the welfare of children attending the Football
Academy/Centre of Excellence. Each such person shall be required to
be trained in child protection issues at least to include satisfactory
completion of The Football Association/English Sports Council Child
Protection Awareness Programme or equivalent scheme designated by
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The Football Association. It shall be the responsibility of the designated
person to liaise with children, staff and volunteers and the Police, Social
Services and FA Premier League/Football League (as appropriate) in
relation to any child protection issues that may arise; to promote
awareness of child protection issues that may arise; to promote
awareness of child protection issues generally and specifically best
practice amongst staff and volunteers, and to monitor compliance.
INDEPENDENT CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE
The Association reserves the right to award a Licence to operate an Independent Centre of
Excellence, to a bona fide body (e.g. County Football Association, Local Authority, Schools Football
Associations, Non-League Clubs).
Independent Centres of Excellence must meet all the criteria outlined for Centres of Excellence and
will be subject to all controls, registration, and inspection as provided by the Football League.
Applications for a licence for an Independent Centre of Excellence will only be considered where
players cannot, within the stipulated travelling time per age, attend a Centre of Excellence operated
by a Football League Club, or a Football Academy.
4. Criteria to Operate a Football Academy
Football Academy Licences to be awarded by The FA Premier League and Football League
in accordance with criteria laid down by The Football Association, to be reviewed annually.
4.1. Age
4.1.1. Football Academies must operate at every age level from Under 9 years of age to
under 21 years of age. The criteria refer to all aspects of 9–21 year football in
Academies.
4.1.2. Clubs operating Academies may not operate a Centre of Excellence and are only
allowed to register players on Football Academy Forms for these age ranges, and
the appropriate Football League or FA Premier League forms where necessary (in
order to be eligible for first team football).
4.1.3. A Club may only operate one Academy. Clubs may seek permission from The FA
Premier League or Football League to operate one Satellite Centre to the main
Academy (at Under 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 years of age) providing the following
criteria are met:
• The overall number of registered players for the Academy as a whole does
not exceed the stated number. (See 4.2.2. below.)
• All other criteria regarding the establishment of a Football Academy must be
met at the satellite centre (with the exception of the specifications of the
indoor area).
• The players in the satellite centre are coached or play with the players at the
main Academy at least once per week.
• Preference to operate a satellite centre will he given to clubs with:
– limited catchment areas (e.g. coastal clubs)
– with particular travel problems (e.g. London)
– wishing to operate a Football Academy in an area poorly serviced by
Academies or Centres of Excellence, i.e. players having difficulty in
attending a Football Academy or Centre of Excellence within the
travelling time.
4.2. Registration
4.2.1. Registration is to the respective League (FA Premier or Football League) on the
Football Academy Form. Football League to notify FA Premier League of their
registrations immediately (and vice versa).
4.2.2. Academies may register the following maximum numbers:
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Under 9 – Under 12 – 40 players per year band
Under 13 – Under 14 – 30 players per year band
Under 15 – Under 16 – 20 players per year band
(Until the end of the 1999/2000 season, any player signed as an Associate
Schoolboy are included in this number.)
Under 17 – Under 21 – 15 players per year band
4.2.3. Clubs must adhere to a one hour travelling time to the Academy for ages Under
9 years to Under 13. For age ranges Under 13 to Under 16, this is increased to 1.5
hours.
4.2.4. A six week trial period is allowed for unregistered players from Under 9 to Under
16 years of age.
4.2.5. Trials are not permitted for registered players at other clubs operating Football
Academies or Centres of Excellence.
4.2.6. Between Under 9 and Under 12 registration will be annual.
4.2.6.1. From the player’s twelfth birthday, the player must sign for a minimum of two
years.
4.2.6.2. From the player’s fourteenth birthday, the player must sign until the end of the
Under 16 season.
4.2.6.3. At any time, on or after the player’s twelfth birthday, with the parents’ consent,
the club may extend the registration until the end of the Under 16 season.
4.2.6.4. After the player’s fourteenth birthday, the club may offer the player a Scholarship
for the Academy from 16–19 years with a two-year option until 21 years of age,
held by the club. Such offers to be mutually respected by all participating clubs
and incorporated into FA Premier League and Football League rules. Any time
after a player’s 17th birthday, a player may sign a professional contract but is
required to continue the required educational and technical programmes until the
end of the season of his 21st birthday. In the season of the player’s 19th birthday,
the Club must inform the player by 30th September whether he is to be retained
at the end of the season. Between 16–19 years of age, the player will receive an
agreed annual salary and, in addition, a provision will be made to recognise the
player’s progress (e.g. appearance bonus for its team football). From 19–21 an
agreed minimum annual salary will be paid if either party fails to reach an
agreement.
4.2.6.5. Players to be informed in writing by 3rd Saturday in April in the season where
registration ceases whether they are to be retained or released.
4.2.6.6. A club may not approach, directly or indirectly, any player registered with another
Centre of Excellence or Football Academy.
4.2.6.7. A player is not entitled to be coached by a club operating a Football Academy or
to participate in games, tours or tournaments, unless the player is signed on
Football Academy forms (or subject to a six-week trial process).
4.2.6.8. Academies may de-register players by mutual consent any time after 12 years of
age.
4.2.6.9. Academies are required to notify in writing to the player and his parents the rules
and guidelines concerning Academies with regard to: registration, welfare,
educational needs, priority and objectives. This process to be repeated on each
occasion a boy signs a Registration Form.
4.3. Technical Requirements
4.3.1. Minimum number of hours to be provided within the season per week
excluding games:
Under 9–11 yrs. – not less than 3 hrs. (2 sessions)
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Under 12–16 yrs. – not less than 5 hrs. (3 sessions)
Under 17–21 yrs.* – not less than 12 hrs.
(*not applicable to players in the club’s first team squad)
4.3.2. The Football Academy Director to ensure the following games are
provided:
Under 9–11 yrs. – Min. 24/Max. 30 – all small-sided
Under 12–16 yrs. – Min. 24/Max. 30
Under 15–16 – Min. 24/Max. 36 (including international games)
4.3.3. It is a condition of a player’s registration with a Football Academy that the
player commits himself to a maximum number of all games for all teams
for the season as follows:
Under 9–11 – Max. 30 (all small-sided games)
Under 12–16 – Max. 30
The Academy Director is required to ensure that the minimum number
of games are:
Under 9–11 – Min. 24 (all small-sided games)
Under 12–16 – Min. 24
4.3.4. Football Academies may not affiliate teams to any other Youth Leagues.
4.4. Learning Programme
4.4.1. Academies to provide a Broad Learning Programme regarding Technical
and Academic outcomes as agreed by The Football Association.
4.4.2. The Learning Programme to incorporate annual Technical and Academic
goals, review and feedback.
4.4.3. A simple written reporting system to be provided to players and parents,
and head teachers whilst in full time education, as a minimum twice a
year, regarding players’ progress towards agreed goals, technical and
academic.
4.5. Facilities
4.5.1. Technical
Minimum total requirements (a maximum of artificial surfaces to be one
indoor area and one outdoor artificial surface.)
• 9–Under 11 – one 60x40 yd. area for each 40 players registered
• Under 12–Under 16 – one 60x40 yd. area for each 30 players
registered
• Under 17–Under 21 – one full size pitch for every 30 players
registered
• One indoor area – min. 60x40 yd.
4.5.2. Medical
• Treatment and Examination areas.
4.5.3. Study
• Homework and study area for a minimum of 40 young players.
4.5.4. Parents
• Parents Lounge*.
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4.6. Staff
4.6.1. General Requirements
All coaches registered and authorised to coach in Football Academies
must by1 August 2004* hold the appropriate qualification to coach at
that level, i.e.
7–11 years:
FA Youth Coaches Award – Junior
12–16 years:
FA Youth Coaches Award – Schools
17–21 years:
FA Youth Coaches Award – Youth
A 12-month dispensation will be provided for those coaches who have
undertaken the course of training but not yet been assessed by these
dates.
*In Centres of Excellence by 1 August 2005
Retention
To retain the award all coaches (including those awarded under APL)
must complete one FA Youth Award Refresher Course for the
appropriate age range within every three years beginning from 1 August
2004.
APL
APL will be awarded to holders of The FA Advanced Coaching Licence
Youth Option.
Transfer of Age-Specific Qualification
Should any coach in future years wish to qualify at a different age group,
he/she must complete the relevant age-specific modules.
4.6.2. Minimum Full-Time Staff Required
• One Director of Academy
• One Assistant Director of Academy (8–16 years)
• One Assistant Director of Academy (16–21 years)
• One Academy doctor – not first team doctor unless full time
• Two full-time Physiotherapist
• One Education/Welfare Adviser (8–21 years)
4.6.3. Technical Staff (either full or part time)
• A maximum ratio of players to coach – 20:2. One coach may be an
assistant working towards the required qualification.
• All Academy goalkeepers should have access to specialist
goalkeeping sessions for a minimum of 50% of the technical practice
(see 4.3.1.)
• Academy teams to be managed under the control of coaches
working with the same children during the week.
4.7. Education and Welfare
4.7.1. Each Football Academy shall provide appropriate and adequate
educational arrangements for its registered students at Primary,
Secondary and Tertiary levels. Such arrangements shall be notified to,
and approved by, The FA Premier League or Football League.
4.7.2. The Education and Welfare Officer to hold qualified Teacher status and
experience of teaching in a Primary or Secondary School or a College of
Further Education.
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4.7.3. Commitment to screening, profiling, monitoring and recording key
aspects of the players’ physiological growth and development, as
determined by The Association.
4.7.4. The interchange of research data and information between The Football
Association and Academies and between Academies. This process will
not compromise individual rights to confidentiality.
4.7.5. Adequate player insurance.
4.8. Developing Liaison and Links. (These could be achieved through the Clubs’
Football in the Community Scheme.)
4.8.1. Academies to include at least one Junior Football Centre providing
regular small-sided football for a minimum of 100 non-registered players
(under 10 years of age) under Charter Mark criteria.
4.8.2. Academies under Charter Mark guarantee to provide liaison with, and
services for an agreed programme. A minimum of 100 Junior Schools, 10
Secondary Schools, 50 Junior Football Clubs.
4.9. Conduct
All staff and parents and players to commit themselves to and promote
the Code of Conduct, as determined by The Association.
4.10. Administration
– All Registration and Player Profiles to be computerised
– All Academies to have e-mail and Internet link to The Football Association, FA
Premier League (and Football League if applicable) at the site of the
Academy.
4.11. Time-Scale Clubs intending to operate a Football Academy for the season
1999/2000 must:
– Make application by February 1st 1999.
– Ensure all staffing arrangements are in place by August 1st 1999.
– A commitment to provide all the necessary facilities by August 1st 2001.
– Any club promoted to The FA Premier League, which has not previously
applied to operate a Football Academy, must ensure that all staffing
arrangements are in place by August 1st of the following year and that a
commitment is made towards completing all facility requirements within two
years of promotion to The FA Premier League.
4.12. Grievances
An agreed grievance procedure will be instituted.
4.13. All Football Academies are required to comply in full with the conditions of the
1989 Children’s Act.
5. Criteria to Operate a Centre of Excellence
Centre of Excellence Licences to be awarded by the Football League and FA Premier League
in accordance with criteria laid down by The Football Association, to be renewed annually.
1. Age
1.1. Centres of Excellence may operate at any age level. They may
specifically operate from Under 14 years to Under 16 years.
1.2. Clubs operating Centres of Excellence may not operate a Football
Academy and are allowed only to register players on Centres of
Excellence forms and the appropriate Football League form where
necessary, to be eligible for Reserve and 1st Team Football with the
exception of the Girls’ Centres of Excellence.
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1.3. A Club may only operate one Centre of Excellence. Clubs may seek
permission from The Association to operate one satellite Centre to the
main Centre (at any age) providing the following criteria are met:
• The overall number of registered players for the Centre as a whole
does not exceed the stated number. (See 2.2. below.)
• All other criteria regarding the establishment of a Centre of
Excellence must be met at the satellite centre.
• Preference to operate a satellite centre will be given to clubs with:
– limited catchment areas (e.g. coastal clubs)
– with particular travel problems (e.g. London)
– wishing to operate a Centre of Excellence in an area poorly
serviced by Centres of Excellence or Academies, i.e. players
having difficulty in attending a Centre of Excellence or Football
Academy within the travelling time.
2. Registration
2.1. Registration is to The FA Premier League or Football League on the
Centres of Excellence form.
2.2. Centres of Excellence may register the following maximum numbers:
Under 9 – Under 12 – 40 players per year band
Under 13 – Under 14 – 30 players per year band
Under 15 – Under 16 – 20 players per year band
(Until the end of the 1999/2000 season, any players signed as an
Associate Schoolboy are included in this number.)
2.3. Clubs must adhere to a one hour travelling time to the Centre for ages
Under 9 years to Under 13. For age ranges Under 13 to Under 16, this is
increased to 1.5 hours.
2.4. A six-week trial period is allowed for unregistered players from Under 9
to Under 16 years of age.
2.5. Trials are not permitted for registered players at other clubs operating
Football Academies or Centres of Excellence.
2.6. Between Under 9 and Under 12 registration will be annual.
2.7. From the player’s twelfth birthday, the player must sign for a minimum of
two years.
2.8. From the player’s fourteenth birthday, the player must sign until the end
of the Under 16 season.
2.9. At any time, on or after the player’s twelfth birthday, with the parents’
consent, the club may extend the registration until the end of the Under
16 season.
2.10. After the player’s fourteenth birthday, the club may offer the player a
Scholarship for the Centre from 16–19 years with a two-year option until
21 years of age, held by the club. Such offers to be mutually respected
by all participating clubs and incorporated into FA Premier League and
Football League rules.
2.11. Players to be informed in writing by the 3rd Saturday in April in the
season where registration ceases whether they are to be retained or
released.
2.12. A club may not approach, directly or indirectly, any player registered
with another Centre of Excellence or Football Academy.
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2.13. A player is not entitled to be coached by a club operating a Centre of
Excellence or to participate in games, tours or tournaments, unless the
player is signed on Centre of Excellence forms (or subject to a six week
trial process).
2.14. Centres may de-register players by mutual consent any time after 12
years of age.
2.15. Centres are required to clearly outline the rules and guidelines
concerning Centres with regard to: registration, welfare, educational
needs, priority and objectives.
3. Technical Requirements
Centres of Excellence may coach young players on an unlimited number of
occasions and be involved in Centres of Football. (See 7.)
4. Facilities The following facilities are required:
• Adequate showers, bathing facilities
• Separate treatment room
• Rapid access to qualified medical expertise
• Appropriate size of coaching area
5. Staff
5.1. General Requirements:
All coaches registered and authorised to coach in Football Academies
must by1 August 2004* hold the appropriate qualification to coach at
that level, i.e.
7–11 years:
FA Youth Coaches Award – Junior
12–16 years:
FA Youth Coaches Award – Schools
17–21 years:
FA Youth Coaches Award – Youth
A 12-month dispensation will be provided for those coaches who have
undertaken the course of training but not yet been assessed by these
dates.
*In Centres of Excellence by 1 August 2005
Retention
To retain the award all coaches (including those awarded under APL) must
complete one FA Youth Award Refresher Course for the appropriate age range
within every three years beginning from 1 August 2004.
APL
APL will be awarded to holders of The FA Advanced Coaching LicenceYouth
Option.
Transfer of Age-Specific Qualification
Should any coach in future years wish to qualify at a different age group,he/she
must complete the relevant age-specific modules.
5.2. Minimum Staff Required:
• A Director of the Centre of Excellence
• Coaches
5.3. Technical Staff (either full or part time)
• A maximum ratio of players to coach – 20:2. One coach may be an
assistant working towards the required qualification.
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• All Centres of Excellence goalkeepers should have access to specialist
goalkeeping sessions for a minimum of 50% of the technical practice.
(See 3.1.)
• Centre of Excellence teams to be managed under the control of the
coaches working with the same children during the week.
6.1. Adequate player insurance is required.
6.2. A simple written reporting system to be provided to players and parents, and head
teachers whilst in full time education, as a minimum twice a year, regarding players’
progress towards agreed goals, technical and academic.
7. Grievances An agreed grievance procedure will be instituted.
8. All Centres of Excellence are required to comply in full with the conditions of the
1989 Children’s Act.
9. Centres Football
9.1. Players will be licensed in the categories as outlined below:
There will be three categories for all young players. (See below.) Players
registered with Centres of Excellence will play in Categories A and B only.
Players NOT registered with a Centre of Excellence will play in Categories
Band C only.
Where insufficient football games are provided in Categories A or B a
player may be released to play in Category C football. He may only do so
with the written permission of the Director of the Centre of Excellence with
which he is registered.
It will be the responsibility of the Director of the Centre of Excellence to
monitor, consult and control the type and number of games in which the
player takes part.
Category TYPE OF FOOTBALL
A International Football
Professional Football Clubs
Junior and Youth Teams
Centres Football and Coaching
B All Schools Football
C Local Youth Leagues
Community Football Activities
9.2. Priority List
9.2.1. International Matches
9.2.2. Preparation for International Matches
9.2.3. Trials for selection of Squads for International Matches
9.2.4. FA Programme for Excellence Age Group Development Courses
9.2.5. The total number of games which outstanding young players
play, must be reduced to a maximum of 60 games, including
international games and preparation and trials for those games.
9.3. Avoidance of Conflict
It is hoped that conflict will be avoided between Schools’ Football and
Centres Football.
It is recognised that the prime objective in the Programme for Excellence is
to give more time for coaching talented young players and for those
talented young players to play in coached games against other talented
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players. It is,however, recognised that in the early part of the season,
September and early October, and the late part of the season, late February
and March,priority will be given to Schools’ Football should there be a clash
between Centres of Excellence coaching and Schools’ matches.
Players registered in The Football Association Programme for Excellence in
the Under 16 age group should be released to participate in County
Under16 representative competitions. There will be no more than six
matches per season, which will be extra to The FA Centres Football and
Schools Football allocation as shown above.
County Football Associations will inform, in writing, the Centre of
Excellence with which the player is registered no less than 14 days prior to
the match.
Representatives of the County Football Association will be advised of the
dates on which no FA Centres Football Fixtures are to be arranged in each
region and will be invited to a meeting of the “cluster” of Centres of
Excellence with the Monitor and Regional Director.
County Football Associations will endeavour to move to a common fixture
calendar to be coordinated with The FA Centres Football Fixtures as
organised by The Football Association. All efforts will be made to avoid any
clash of fixtures.
9.4. Matches to be played between
– Football League Clubs
– E.S.F.A. Schools’ Associations
Centres of Excellence may play up to twenty-five matches per season.
9.5 (i) Players must be registered in the respective age groups within the
Football League.
(ii) Clubs must not include boys who are registered with any other club’s
Centre of Excellence or Football Academy. Clubs wishing to include
“trialists” may only do so by:
– giving seven clear days’ notice of approach in writing to the
registered youth team with which the trialist plays as per Football
Association Rule C2(a)
– this procedure will require clubs to “clear” the player seven days
in advance
(iii) Players, including registered players and trialists, must only play one
match in one day. Clubs may include no more than two players from
one junior team and no more than four in total on a trial basis in each
match. The normal trial period shall be regarded as four matches after
which players should either become signed to the club or released.
It will be in order for players to be combined in consecutive age
groups to play against teams of a similar nature. A fixture list will be
compiled by the Football League and forwarded to The Football
Association and The English Schools’ Football Association.
Any matches subsequently re-arranged should be similarly notified.
9.6. Directors of Centres of Excellence are only allowed and encouraged to
develop games in the Under 12 age range as small-sided game rules as
specified by The Football Association.
It is expected that in the 13–16 age groups games will be 11v11.
9.7. Members of staff responsible for the work at Centres of Excellence should
in the main be those who are conducting Centres Football with the players.
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It is expected that those conducting Centres Football on behalf of both
professional clubs and Centres of Excellence will be qualified as outlined by
The Football Association.
9.8. Matches
(a) to be organised as coached games and to be played in three periods
(b) the host club to be responsible for appointing qualified match officials
(c) a qualified First Aider to be in attendance
(d) to have unlimited substitutions
(e) to allow players to return to the pitch after having been substituted
(f) to have footballs and pitches of appropriate size
(g) to have no results published
(h) to be played on a “friendly” basis, i.e. no competitions.
9.9. Information to be kept by each club
– details of each match played
– date
– venue
– names of all participating players
9.10. It will be permissible for Centres of Excellence to play against each other:
– Age Group 9/10/11/12 (small-sided games)
– Age Group 13/14/15/16 (11v11 games)
All games to be conducted under the criteria as outlined above and within
the Rules and Regulations for the Programme for Excellence.
9.11. Players who are cautioned or dismissed from the field of play will be
reported directly to The Football Association.
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