Frequently Asked Questions

Is accommodation included?

Yes, players will stay at their own exclusive boarding house – the Garden House in Stamford.

The Boarding House is in safe and secure surroundings and includes 22 bedrooms all with en-suite facilities, dining room, communal rooms, games room, study centre, conservatory and nearly an acre of walled gardens.

Do players share rooms?

Yes, our experienced staff ensure ages and cultures are considered with most rooms having two players. In nearly all circumstances room-mates become friends for life however if it isn’t working out we can swap players around.

Is Wi-Fi available at the Garden House?

Yes, the boarding house offers free Wi-Fi.

Are there laundry facilities?

Yes, a laundry room with washing machines, tumble dryers, irons and ironing boards along with washing powder/conditioner will all be provided, and a member of staff will be on hand to advise.

Where are they held?

The FCV International Football Academy hold the Development Camps in Stamford, Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom.

How much do they cost?

The costs of Development Camp depend on the length of the course, this does mean our prices to vary also. We always try to offer the best price to all customers.

What are the age limits?

The Development Camps are available for players aged between 15-21 years of age.

When should I arrive?

Arrival for the Development Camps is usually between 9am-12pm at the Garden House. However, this may vary dependant on the arrival date. Please refer to the confirmation pack which will state the arrival time for the relevant Development Camp you have booked.

Late arrivals are not a problem, but you may miss lunch. If you know in advance that you will be arriving late, please call us on 01933 420000 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of office hours please call +44 7503 295590.

At the end of the course am I guaranteed to be offered a contract at a professional club?

Unfortunately, the Academy cannot guarantee that a player will find a club, as all clubs are seeking different types of players at different times and we all know how difficult it can be. However, it does happen as Calaum Jaraldo-Martin will testify to – he spent two years at the Academy and joined Hull City when they were in the Premier League.

We will guarantee though you will leave us a better player and we will aim to open up as many opportunities for you as possible.

Am I provided a training kit?

No, players will need to bring their own kit to train in for the duration of their stay.

What kit/equipment will I need to bring?

A full list of kit and equipment will be sent out in the confirmation pack players receive once they have completed their booking. In general players will require:

Training Kit

Studded boots & Moulded boots

Trainers suitable for indoor football or gym work

Shin Pads (must be worn at every training/match session)

T-shirts

Football shorts

Football socks

Tracksuit Bottoms & Sweatshirts

Swimming shorts

Rain Jacket

Wash kit in wash bag (incl. suitable sun screen etc.)

Large towels

Small bag, suitable for a change of clothes and footwear

Casual Clothing

Please bring enough clean comfortable clothing for the length of your stay, such as jeans, t-shirt/tops, trainers/shoes etc.

What if I have any dietary requirements?

As our food is freshly prepared onsite by our Head Chef, we can cater for all types of dietary requirements including vegetarian, halal, kosher and vegan to name a few. If you do have any requirements or food allergies, please make us aware when booking to ensure we pass this onto the Head Chef.

What if I have any religious requirements?

We have a diverse collection of players from a wide variety of cultures. We cater for different cuisines i.e. halal meat. The Academy will also ensure prayer rooms are available when required.

We can also help assist in finding local churches, mosques etc.

Can I still attend if I have had a previous injury?

Yes. All players will be required to complete a medical form when booking, where you will need to state any previous injuries or health concerns.

How do I book a Development Camp?

Click ‘EVENTS’ along the top banner to see all of our events, then click into the event you wish to book. Once here you call scroll down to the ‘Book Your Place Online’ section, where you will need to select your age group and position. Then follow the instructions to confirm your place.

Alternatively, we can take a booking over the phone, just call the office on +44 (0)1933 420000 (option 1) between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday with the event, age group and position you wish to book. We can then take a debit/credit card payment over the phone.

Can I book my place if I don’t have a PayPal account?

Yes, simply email the office (info@internationallfootball.academy) to request the Development Camp booking forms, once you have completed them return them to us.

You can then make a payment through our partners Flywire:

PAY NOW

Can I pay on arrival?

No, all fees will need to be settled 14 days prior to the Development camp commencing. This is due to FCV having to pre-arrange the accommodation and food for the duration of the players stay.

What happens when I make my booking?

Once you have followed the booking process, you will receive an order confirmation. Here you will need to check the order details are correct. FCV will then send out a full confirmation pack that will include arrival times, directions and a kit guide.

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Should you need to cancel your booking please advise FCV at least 5 working days before the Development Camp by email. You will be refunded your booking fee less 50% of the fee to cover the administration costs and bank charges.

If you cancel your booking less than 5 working days before the Development Camp, we are unable to refund the booking. This is due to FCV being unable to claim back the costings for accommodation and food.

FCV will look to transfer players in the first instance, however this is subject to availability.

I’m from outside the UK, can I still attend the Development Camps?

Yes, FCV welcomes players from outside the United Kingdom, however FCV are not able to help with any travel expenses incurred.

Are you able to help with my visitor visa application?

FCV can provide you with an invitation letter to help obtain a visitor visa should you require. This can only be done once a player has officially booked their place and sent in a copy of their passport to info@internationalfootball.academy. Unfortunately, FCV are not able to contact the embassy on a player’s behalf, and we always recommend the play contacts the embassy prior to booking to confirm the process and costs involved.

Please feel free to read through the Visitor Visa Supporting Documents Guide, listed on the gov.uk website.

What if my visa is refused by the embassy?

Should your visa application be rejected, then the Cancellation by Player as noted in the terms & conditions will and still apply. We highly recommend players read through the terms & conditions before booking their course.

Is there any education involved?

There is no education involved in the Development Camps, however players do have an option to study an English language course whilst with the FCV International Football Academy. The additional cost for this is £200 per week and includes:

• English Language Tuition: 15 hours per week
• English Levels Available: Pre-Intermediate (A2), Intermediate (B1/B2)
• Class Study Materials: Provided
• Home Study Materials: Workbook included in course fee

What is the standard of coaching I will receive?

All coaching sessions and matches are led by our highly qualified UEFA A coaches, with previous experience either playing professionally or managing English Football League sides.

Specialist outfield and goalkeeping sessions, strength and conditioning training and nutritional advice are also provided during your stay.

What if I get injured on the Development Camp?

The academy employs a full-time Sports Therapist for football related injuries, who will be present during players stay. There is a dedicated medical room at the football centre.

Players will be required to provide their own medical insurance and health cover, in case of any emergency or medical treatment they may require whilst staying at the FCV International Football Academy. This is highly recommended, especially as you will be taking part in physical activities through football.

Are airport transfers included?

No, transport to and from the FCV International Football Academy is the responsibility of the player. We can arrange airport transfers at an additional cost, that is dependent on the airport a player arrives into. FCV will require the full flight details to allocate a driver. The latest prices are:

• East Midlands – £120
• Luton – £120
• Stansted – £120
• Birmingham – £120
• Heathrow – £150
• Gatwick – £200
• All other will be price on request

What is included in the training kit bundles?