Sporting · 70 practices
Academy & Talent
Development cost becomes player value when the pathway is measured and managed like an investment.
- 01
Write the playing philosophy
One game model and development curriculum applied from U8 to first team.
Impact high · effort medium
How to do it
- Gather the head coach, academy coaches and a first-team representative to agree the style of play you want from first team to youngest group.
- Write the game model on a few pages covering principles for each phase of play and how they appear in matches.
- Translate it into a development curriculum for each age group, with the skills and decisions players should master at each stage.
- Present it to all coaches, and observe a session for each team to check it is coached in a consistent way.
- Review it every year and judge it working when a player moving up a group finds familiar ideas rather than a new system.
- 02
Appoint a head of academy
One accountable owner for the pathway, standards and budget.
Impact high · effort medium
How to do it
- Write a job description covering the pathway, coaching standards, budget, safeguarding and the link to the first team.
- Decide whether to promote from within or recruit externally, and agree where the role sits in the club's reporting line.
- Set the budget and decision rights clearly, so coaches know who to ask about standards and spending.
- Hold the appointee accountable with a short annual set of goals agreed with the board.
- Judge it working when coaches, parents and the board all name the same person as the owner of the pathway.
- 03
Individual development plans for top prospects
Termly reviewed IDPs with player and parents for the top 20% per age.
Impact high · effort low
How to do it
- Ask coaches in each age group to name the players they see as top prospects, using your assessment rubric as a guide.
- Create a one-page plan for each, covering strengths, areas to improve, targets for the term and who is responsible.
- Meet each player and a parent each term to review progress against the plan and set new targets.
- Store the plans in a shared folder so coaches moving between groups can see the history.
- Check each term that every prospect has a current plan and that targets from the last term were reviewed.
- 04
Build the first-team transition path
Training slots, B-team minutes and loan strategy for the final step.
Impact high · effort medium
How to do it
- Map the steps from your oldest youth group to the first team and identify where players currently get stuck.
- Agree with the first-team coach a regular set of training sessions each month in which top youth players join the squad.
- Plan minutes in the B team or reserve fixtures for those players, so they gain match experience at a higher level.
- Build a list of partner clubs that might take players on loan, and agree what you expect in minutes and development.
- Review each season how many players progressed through each step, and where they were lost, and adjust.
- 05
Track alumni and claim training rewards
Register every graduate; claim FIFA solidarity and training compensation.
Impact high · effort low
How to do it
- Create a register of every player who has passed through the academy, with dates, ages and the clubs they have joined.
- Check the governing body's rules on training compensation and solidarity payments, and note when each applies to your club.
- Review each new transfer of a former player and compare it with your register to find claims due.
- Prepare and submit claims with the required documents and dates, and track each one through to payment.
- Review once a year what was claimed, what was paid and what lapsed, and fix any gaps in your register.
- 06
Retention plan for best-in-age players
Early contracts where legal, family engagement, clear pathway story.
Impact high · effort low
How to do it
- Identify the best players in each age group using your assessment results and coach input, and keep the list short and current.
- Check each player's registration status and agree with the board what the club can offer and when.
- Meet the family to explain the pathway, the player's role and what the club expects, and listen to their concerns.
- Offer a contract or agreement at the earliest stage the rules allow, and keep in regular contact with the family.
- Review each season how many of your top players stayed and why any left, and use that to improve the offer.
- 07
Fund coach education
Budget UEFA C/B licences yearly; qualified coaches are the multiplier.
Impact high · effort medium
How to do it
- Audit your coaches' current qualifications by age group and list the gaps against what you need.
- Set an annual budget for coach education and agree how many places you can fund each year.
- Prioritise coaches who work with key age groups and who have committed to staying, and discuss a service commitment.
- Allow time off and cover for course days, so coaches are not forced to choose between study and their duties.
- Review the qualification list each year and judge it working when gaps close and coaches apply what they learned in sessions.
- 08
Map and cover the local catchment
Named scout per zone, every relevant grassroots club watched twice a season.
Impact high · effort low
How to do it
- Draw a map of your catchment and divide it into zones, each of a size one scout can cover.
- Assign a named scout to each zone and list every grassroots club and school team within it.
- Agree a schedule so each club is watched at least twice in the season, and record what the scout saw.
- Hold a short monthly meeting to share the best players and decide who to invite for trials.
- Review which zones produced signed players and how much time was spent, and move effort to where it pays.
- 09
Standardise player assessment
Same rubric, twice a season, every age group, trend players over years.
Impact high · effort low
How to do it
- Draft a one-page rubric covering technical, tactical, physical and personal qualities, with a clear scale and descriptions for each level.
- Train coaches to use it consistently by scoring the same sample players together and discussing differences.
- Schedule two assessment points each season for every age group and store the results in one shared sheet.
- Include the player's birth month in the data so maturity effects can be considered when reading the results.
- Review the sheet each year to see which players progressed, and whether the scores agree with the coaches' views.
- 10
Safeguarding policy and training
Vetting, reporting lines and annual training for all academy staff.
Impact high · effort low
How to do it
- Write a safeguarding policy that covers behaviour standards, supervision, communication with players, and how concerns are raised and handled.
- Name a safeguarding lead and a deputy, and make sure players, parents and staff know how to contact them.
- Vet every person working with players before they start, including volunteers, and keep a record of checks and renewal dates.
- Run safeguarding training for all academy staff each year, and keep a record of who attended.
- Review the policy and any incidents annually with the board, and judge it working when concerns are raised early and logged.
- 11
Agree the youth vision with the head coach before hiring
Before signing a head coach, confirm in writing that they share the club's commitment to promoting young talent.
Impact high · effort low
- 12
Tie youth coach objectives to transition success
Add promotions and first-team minutes of graduates to youth coaches' goals so they are not judged only on results.
Impact high · effort low
- 13
Give transitioning players minutes in high-pressure matches
After easing players in, start them in matches with real responsibility and pressure, not only low-priority cup games.
Impact high · effort low
- 14
Run a B-team or reserve side in a senior league
Enter a second team in a lower senior division so graduates play adult football before the first team.
Impact high · effort high
- 15
Loan graduates to clubs where they will play senior minutes
Place young players on loan where they get regular adult-level games, to build confidence and experience.
Impact high · effort medium
- 16
Treat academy resale value as part of the transfer plan
Budget for developing young talent that can be sold later, since buyers increasingly pay for resale potential.
Impact high · effort high
- 17
Build a player-sale model on academy development
Plan academy output and sale timing as a recurring revenue line, as Ajax and Benfica do.
Impact high · effort high
- 18
School partnership programme
Formal agreements easing training schedules and anchoring recruitment.
Impact medium · effort medium
How to do it
- List the schools your players attend and identify the three or four that account for most of them.
- Meet each school's head or sports lead to explain the academy and what you need, such as flexible timetables for training.
- Agree a written arrangement covering training release, communication about attendance and support during exam periods.
- Name one person at the club as contact for each school, and share concerns early.
- Review each year whether players in partner schools stay longer and whether attendance and results hold up.
- 19
Launch revenue-generating camps and clinics
Holiday camps and tournaments that fund the academy and feed scouting.
Impact medium · effort medium
How to do it
- Choose the school holiday periods when families need childcare and the pitches are free, and set dates for the year.
- Cost each camp including coaches, venue, insurance, kit and safeguarding checks, and set a price that covers it.
- Promote the camps through your website, social channels, partner schools and existing youth teams, with simple online booking.
- Have scouts attend, and record any promising players you meet for follow-up.
- Review income against cost and the number of players invited to trials, and keep the camps that do both.
- 20
Video analysis from youth-development phase
One camera, one workflow, clips in every IDP review.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Buy one fixed camera and tripod suitable for a full match and place it in the same position each week.
- Agree a naming scheme for files, such as date, team and opponent, and store them in a shared folder.
- Assign one person per team to record, upload and trim clips of key moments.
- Include two or three clips in each individual development plan review so players see what you describe.
- Check each term that every team has footage and that clips were used in reviews.
- 21
Define phase leads across the pathway
Foundation, youth development and performance phases each get an owner.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Define the three phases of your pathway and the age groups in each, in a one-page chart.
- Choose a lead for each phase from your existing coaches, with clear responsibility for curriculum, standards and coach support.
- Write down each lead's duties, such as observing sessions, running coach meetings and signing off player moves between groups.
- Introduce the leads to all coaches and parents, and hold a short meeting between them each month.
- Review each year whether problems are resolved by the phase lead and whether handovers between phases run smoothly.
- 22
Benchmark against an external audit framework
Self-assess on Double PASS-style criteria; fix the two weakest pillars yearly.
Impact medium · effort medium
How to do it
- Choose a recognised audit framework and obtain its criteria, then score the academy honestly against each pillar.
- Gather evidence for each score, such as policies, coach qualifications, facility details and records of player progress.
- Identify the two weakest pillars and write an action plan for each, with an owner and a deadline.
- Share the results and plan with the board, and allocate time and budget to deliver them.
- Repeat the self-assessment each year and judge it working when previously weak pillars improve.
- 23
Parent communication rhythm
Termly reviews and clear expectations cut conflict and defections.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Set a calendar for the season with a parents' meeting at the start and a progress conversation each term.
- Prepare a short parent guide covering what the academy offers, what is expected of players and parents, and how to raise concerns.
- Use a simple shared template for each review so every parent hears about strengths, areas to improve and next steps.
- Agree a single contact for each age group who answers parent questions within a few days.
- Track complaints and departures each term, and judge it working when fewer exits trace back to unclear expectations.
- 24
Track cost per graduate
Budget divided by professional debuts, the academy's unit economics.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Add up the total academy budget for a set period, including coaching, facilities, travel, kit, medical and staff costs.
- Count the players from the academy who made a professional debut in the same period, or across several seasons for a steadier view.
- Divide cost by debuts and record the result in a simple sheet, with notes on what is included.
- Track the figure every season and break it down by age group where you can.
- Use it in board discussions to show what the academy delivers, and review whether it improves as the pathway matures.
- 25
Align youth trials with first-team scouting
One recruitment board so the academy feeds squad planning, not luck.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Create one shared recruitment board listing the first-team positions that will need cover and the academy players who could fill them.
- Invite the academy head, first-team coach and lead scout to a regular meeting where they update the board.
- Agree a shared list of target players, so scouts do not watch the same player twice or miss someone else's find.
- Invite shortlisted players to trial in academy groups, with feedback from both academy and first-team staff.
- Review each season how many squad places went to players found through the shared process.
- 26
Introduce basic athletic development
Age-appropriate strength, speed and movement blocks from U12 up.
Impact medium · effort medium
How to do it
- Agree with the head coach which age groups will begin, starting with the oldest eligible group, and what you want to improve.
- Write simple blocks of running technique, jumping, landing, strength and balance, suited to each age and kept short.
- Train coaches to lead them safely, or bring in a qualified practitioner for a few sessions to demonstrate.
- Build the blocks into existing sessions at set points in the week, and track who attends.
- Review injuries and movement quality each season, and adjust the content for each age group.
- 27
Education and welfare check-ins
School performance and wellbeing reviewed alongside football each term.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Gather information on each player's school, year, exams and any concerns, and keep it in your player record.
- Schedule a short check-in each term with each player, covering school, home life, sleep and how football is going.
- Name a welfare officer or coach as the contact, and make sure players know they can raise concerns at any time.
- Share relevant concerns with coaches, parents and schools, in line with your safeguarding policy.
- Review each term whether players are attending school, staying well and remaining in the programme.
- 28
Annual academy report to the board
Debuts, minutes, retention, income, one page, every season.
Impact medium · effort low
How to do it
- Decide the few measures the board needs, such as debuts, first-team minutes, retention, income and costs, and keep them the same each year.
- Collect the data from your existing records at the end of the season and enter it into a one-page template.
- Add a short written summary of what went well, what did not and what you plan for next season.
- Present it at a board meeting and ask for decisions, such as budget or priorities.
- Compare it with the previous year's report, and judge it working when board decisions refer to its numbers.
- 29
Favour head coach candidates with academy experience
Add academy background to the head coach shortlist criteria, since such coaches understand the obstacles young talents face.
Impact medium · effort low
- 30
Hold regular academy staff meetings to nominate ready talents
Schedule recurring meetings where academy staff formally put forward players they think are ready for the next step.
Impact medium · effort low
- 31
Split the girls' pathway into three phases
Organise girls' youth football into foundation, development and professionalisation phases, each with its own training focus.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 32
Set training and nutrition plans for pathway players
Define training programmes and nutrition plans, and use sports science data to adjust them as players progress.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 33
Assess attitude and coachability alongside technical skill
Add a scored attitude, motivation and willingness-to-learn rating to youth trials and reviews.
Impact medium · effort low
- 34
Visit other academies to learn their methods
Arrange academy visits and workshops with peer clubs to compare scouting and youth development approaches.
Impact medium · effort low
- 35
Explain the risks of moving abroad to players, parents and agents
Prepare a briefing for families and agents on what an early move abroad involves before any transfer talk.
Impact medium · effort low
- 36
Claim national-team release benefits for academy graduates
Check whether your league or federation pays clubs that release players to national teams and register every eligible player.
Impact medium · effort low
- 37
Register academy players in the first-team squad during the season
Use the league rule allowing Under-21 players to be added mid-season to give prospects first-team exposure.
Impact medium · effort low
- 38
Audit training rewards received against amounts due
Compare rewards you actually received for past transfers with what the rules say you were owed, and chase the gap.
Impact medium · effort low
- 39
Give academy players access to their own performance data
Let players view their data and ask their approval before sharing it with other clubs.
Impact medium · effort low
- 40
Teach coaches and players how to read performance data
Run short sessions explaining what the numbers mean and why, so data supports decisions instead of adding noise.
Impact medium · effort low
- 41
Ask coaches what they need before buying analysis tools
Survey coaches and players on their needs first, then choose technology that serves football.
Impact medium · effort low
- 42
Use affordable wearables to track youth player output
Equip youth squads with low-cost wearable devices to monitor physical output and give meaningful feedback.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 43
Install automated tracking cameras at academy pitches
Use cameras that follow play automatically so footage is consistent across sessions and age groups.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 44
Define your own performance metrics tied to playing style
Have coaching staff build club-specific metrics and use them across match analysis, training and scouting.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 45
Hire a sports scientist to translate data for coaches and players
Employ someone who turns data into coach- and player-friendly formats rather than raw reports.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 46
Monitor load and distance with wearables in training
Use wearable sensors to track speed, accelerations and distance covered, and build a profile of each player.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 47
Run a two-month recurrence watch after hamstring injuries
Agree a shared plan between medical staff and coaches to manage load closely after a hamstring injury.
Impact medium · effort low
- 48
Invite local youth players to matches and club events
Offer youth league players tickets and experiences, since those who played youth sport engage more as fans.
Impact medium · effort low
- 49
Host international youth tournaments at your ground
Bid for youth tournaments and development events that bring visiting teams and families to your facilities.
Impact medium · effort high
- 50
Package hotel and hospitality for tournament families
Sell accommodation, food and tickets bundles to the families and delegations travelling with youth teams.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 51
Train girls' coaches in confidence-building
Give coaches evidence-based tools to build body confidence in girls aged 11 to 17, to reduce drop-out.
Impact medium · effort low
- 52
Recruit volunteer community coaches as youth role models
Enlist local volunteers to coach youth teams and act as role models in their neighborhoods.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 53
Back girls' football programmes in local schools
Invest resources and staff support in girls' programmes in and around the club's neighbourhood.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 54
Use data-driven scouting to find undervalued talent
Adopt scouting models that flag undervalued young players and predict performance before signing.
Impact medium · effort medium
- 55
Negotiate performance add-ons when selling academy players
Include conditional payments linked to player or buyer performance in sale contracts to raise total proceeds.
Impact medium · effort low
- 56
Share scouting and development with partner clubs
Form partnerships so connected clubs share investment in scouting, analytics and player development frameworks.
Impact medium · effort high
- 57
Run overseas soccer schools to build the brand abroad
Open soccer schools in target markets alongside tours to grow the club's international following.
Impact medium · effort high
- 58
Showcase fixtures for late-stage prospects
Curated matches in front of first-team staff and partner clubs.
Impact low · effort low
How to do it
- List the players in the oldest groups who are ready for a next step, and agree who should be seen.
- Plan one or two showcase matches each season against suitable opposition, at a venue and time that suit visitors.
- Invite first-team staff, scouts and partner clubs in advance, with a short profile on each player.
- Film the match and send clips of each player's best moments to the visitors afterwards.
- Track which players received interest, trials or moves following each showcase, and refine who you invite.
- 59
Alumni network and mentoring
Graduates mentor current prospects; the pathway story sells itself.
Impact low · effort low
How to do it
- Build a list of former academy players, including those playing professionally, semi-professionally or in other careers, with contact details.
- Ask a handful to be mentors and agree what they will do, such as a talk, a visit or answering questions.
- Match each mentor with a small group of current prospects, and keep the commitment light and clear.
- Share their stories with families and on your website, with their permission.
- Review each year how many alumni took part and whether current players and parents value it.
- 60
Girls' pathway assessment
Evaluate demand and partnerships for a girls' academy line.
Impact low · effort medium
How to do it
- Look at the number of girls currently playing in your area, the clubs and schools that run teams, and the level of competition.
- Speak to existing female players, parents and local clubs to understand what they want and what is missing.
- Identify potential partners, such as schools, municipalities and women's teams, and find out what they could offer.
- Cost a modest first step, such as a development group or training days, and note what it would need.
- Present the findings and options to the board with a recommendation, and review the decision a year later.
- 61
Facility sharing agreements
Off-peak access deals with schools/municipality to expand pitch hours.
Impact low · effort medium
How to do it
- List your pitches and facilities, with the hours they are free, and mark the quietest periods.
- Identify nearby schools, community groups and the municipality that lack space and might use your facilities in those hours.
- Meet them to discuss what they need and what the club would like in return, such as payment, maintenance or shared use of theirs.
- Draft a written agreement covering days, hours, insurance, upkeep and who is responsible for what.
- Review use and income each season, and judge it working when your pitch hours rise without harming your own training.
- 62
Work with sport scientists to make selection criteria explicit
Have recruiters, coaches and sport scientists jointly surface the unwritten criteria used to pick one player over another.
Impact low · effort medium
- 63
Check national loan rules before loaning out academy players
Learn the age and quota rules for loans in your league so youth loans fit the regulations.
Impact low · effort low
- 64
Give coaches halftime data and players immediate feedback
Set up real-time data so coaches can adjust at halftime and players get feedback straight after actions.
Impact low · effort medium
- 65
Add sensor-based cognitive training for academy players
Introduce gamified sensor drills to train reaction time and decision-making off the pitch.
Impact low · effort medium
- 66
Pick the key data points for each player
Agree with staff which few data points matter for each player, and ignore the rest.
Impact low · effort low
- 67
Offer free coach and PE teacher training with a sponsor
Partner with a brand to deliver online training for local coaches and teachers, widening your youth reach.
Impact low · effort medium
- 68
Offer players finance and personal branding programmes
Run customised programmes on personal branding and financial management for players, including those leaving the game.
Impact low · effort medium
- 69
Create brand-backed mentoring and networking for players
Work with partner brands to build mentorship and networking tied to players' off-pitch interests.
Impact low · effort medium
- 70
Offer remote coaching feedback between sessions
Use a video portal so coaches can review clips and coach players remotely.
Impact low · effort low