A partnership between Dover Athletic FC and The Abbey School

The Football Academy

Mission Statement

‘To provide elite football coaching of a professional standard to young players with ambition of progressing in the game with Dover Athletic, or other senior clubs, along with a structured academic / vocational educational programme that meets their learning needs’

What is a Football Academy?A programme of study accompanied with

professional football development and coaching

Aimed at Year 12/ 13/ 14Structured games programme in Football

Conference Youth LeagueFootball coaching to a high standardA choice of academic and vocational subjects

Main Aims of the AcademyTo improve young players’ technical abilityTo improve young players’ tactical awarenessTo improve young players’ physical fitness

specific to the sportTo improve young players’ mental approach

to their performanceTo promote an environment where football

becomes the catalyst for successful academic learning

To promote self discipline and good sportsmanship and standards

Main ObjectivesDevise a technical / tactical syllabus and deliver itDevelop individual personal fitness / training plans for each

playerDevelop individual psychological profiles and develop

techniques to improve mental approach to performanceProvide 1 to 1 player reviews regularly with coach using

specific log books designed by the AcademyProvide competitive opportunities – school / club linkProvide a tailored education provision that meets the academic

needs of the individualProvide the educational support and guidance required to

achieve on academic coursesProvide FA & 1st 4 sport coaching football qualifications at

levels 1 and 2

What can the players / students do? A variety of different courses that fit with their football

training program12 / 15 lessons per week study time

Football coachingMinimum 6 hours coaching and development, plus 1 game

(Wednesday afternoons), representing Dover Athletic in the Football Conference Youth league. Coaching Provided by UEFA ‘A’ Licence coaches, including Andy Hessenthaler, the Manager of the Club

FA Level 2 coaching football (year 2) 90 GLH Recognised as an international qualificationThe Abbey School to become an accredited centre for

the delivery of FA qualifications

Application ProceduresOpen to any elite footballers from Year 11 or

12 in Kent in year 1.Stringent entry requirements on ability and

characterStudents to apply using the Abbey School 6th

form application formsEntry will be accepted upon successful trial,

subsequent interview and references.

Trial DatesImportant Date!!!! The initial Academy Trials will

be held at The Abbey school on the 5 May (Tuesday), and 6th May (Wednesday) starting at 5.30pm.

If successful, final trials will be held the following Tuesday 12 May.

To book your place on the trial, application forms need to be completed and returned to the Head Teacher, Mrs Catrin Woodend.

Contact will be made by phone or letter confirming your place on the trial.

Alternative trial dates will be arranged if the need arises

After the trialsPlayers will be contacted by letter to either:

Invite them to attend a formal interview at the school, each player will be given a time slot.

Or thank them for their attendance to the trials. It will be impossible to give every interested player a place as you can appreciate

After the interview, students will be written to again offering them a place in the Academy, or placing them on a waiting list.

Academic choicesSixth Form Proposed Blocking 2009-2010

Year Option A Option B Option C Option D Option E

Year 12Level 3 Courses

Film StudiesBiologyICT

PsychologyBusiness (D)Performing Arts (D)Sports Science (S)

MathsEnglish

ArtBusiness (S)Performing Arts (S)Sports Science (D)

EnrichmentYoung EnterpriseHE CompactCSLADance LeadershipCooking for survivalPersonal Finance

Year 12Level 2 Courses

Child DevPublic Services

ICT Business

Health & Social CareCatering*Horticulture*

Catering*Horticulture*Sports Science

ALAN

Football Academy

Training sessions for small groups Football academy. Matches & Training

* Double optionLevel 3 students – 5 GCSE’s grade C or above.Any three subjects from DIFFERENT option blocks. Subjects with (D) indicate double awardLevel 2 students – less than 5 grade CsAny two options from DIFFERENT OTION BLOCKS.Please note, the OPTION E block has been kept for the Academy, no subjects are available from this block

Weekly programmeThe Academy training sessions have been

‘blocked out’ to ensure that the School could offer the best choice of courses available.

At least two sessions per week will be together as a group, and one split, enabling smaller functional group work, and conditioning

All students will be available on Wednesdays to be available for the Games program

Andy Hessenthaler and Darren Hare to manage the delivery of coaching sessions

Games ProgrammeCompetitive fixture program of around 20-24

games per season, with a 16 player squadSelection will be based on a rota systemStudents will have the opportunity for a game

on a Sunday for Dover Athletic, if they do not play for the Academy on a Wednesday

Students may also sign for their current / existing club to play on Sundays if they so wish.

Games will be played at Dover Athletic FC Perry’s Stadium

KitA Training kit pack will consist of the following;Shorts / socks x2Training shirt x2Sweatshirt x1Rain Jacket x1¾ length bottoms x2Match Polo shirt and tracksuit x1All kit will be individually numbered according to your Academy

squad number, and be branded with DAFC and School logoKit Packs will cost £150.00 through the school, payment plans

availableBoots. There will be discounted boot purchases through a top

boot retailer. More details to follow

Academy Discipline expectationsExcellent punctuality to all training sessions and

LessonsAppropriate school dress for non Football related

academic lessons Excellent attitude and application both on and off the

fieldBoth the school and the Club will demand that you

maintain high standards when representing the Academy in fixtures in terms of your discipline. Any fines accrued for bookings / dismissals etc will be the responsibility of the player. In addition, failure to meet academic targets, and poor discipline issues could result in you forfeiting a training session or match

Progression routesHigher Education (HE), University, CollegesPlaying Contracts, either with Dover Athletic

FC or other clubs in the countyEmployment in the leisure industryEmployment in the growing football coaching

industry either here or abroadAccess to HE in the United States via their

collegiate soccer scholarship program, trials will be available for Academy players after two years

What can you expect from the Academy?

From the school……….Excellent pastoral care and adviceFantastic achievement in the 6th FormThriving BTEC National Certificate in sport program, with 100%

achievement last year, with five students progressing to sports science degrees

Excellent Careers and Guidance program

From the club……………Excellent Football education, games programKent’s emerging Football club just winning promotion to the

Conference league, providing a fantastic level of football to aspire to

A very professional football club infrastructure with a fabulous fan base

A pro-active Management team who want to promote from within