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.

Laundry for all football and training kits, as well as bed linen, will be done by the Academy.

Do I need to attend a trial?

No, players are not required to attend a trial to book a Short Course. Many players use the Short Courses to experience day to day life at the Academy hoping to join the Full-Time course in the future.

Where are the Short Courses held?

The FCV International Football Academy is located in Stamford, Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom.

The Garden House is situated close to Burghley Park and is just a few minutes stroll from the centre of historic Stamford. Stamford was voted the 2^nd best place to live in the 2017 Sunday Times poll.

When are the Short Courses available from?

The FCV International Football Academy offers weekly courses whilst the Academy is open during term times. Here is a list of our term dates for 2019/20:

Term One
Monday 09 Sept 19 – Thursday 19 Dec 19

Term Two
Sunday 05 Jan 20 – Friday 03 Apr 20

Term Three
Sunday 19 Apr 20 – Friday 22 May 20

What are the age limits?

The Short Courses are available for players aged between 16-21 years of age.

When should I arrive?

Arrival for the Short Courses is usually on a Sunday between 4pm-6pm 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 Short Course you have booked.

Late arrivals are not a problem, but you may miss the evening meal. 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.

How long are the Short Courses?

Short Courses are booked in week long blocks, whilst the Academy is open. Players can choose the length of their stay, from one week to six months.

At the end of the course am I guaranteed to be offered a contact 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 – he spent two years at the Academy and joined former Premier League club Hull City!

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

How much do they cost?

• £799 per week

All fees are inclusive of VAT and cover everything except travel to and from the FCV International Football Academy and any personal expenditure.

Can fees be paid in instalments?

For Short Courses over six weeks we can look at a payment plan.

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

What other welfare support is offered?

Our staff can also assist with setting up gym membership, passport and visa assistance, arranging IELTS tests and exams.

Am I provided a training kit?

Yes, players will be issued a training kit for their stay, which will need to be handed back following completion of the course.

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)

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 evenings, meals and entertainment, such as jeans, t-shirt/tops, trainers/shoes 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.

What if I am sick?

There are local doctors and dentist surgery via the NHS service, however there may be a charge to visitors outside of the UK/EU. You can read through more information on the changes to NHS charges.

The boarding house also has first aid provisions, medical supplies, a defibrillator and first aid trained staff.

What is included in a typical Short Course?

Who are FCV Stamford?

FCV Stamford is the club name of the FCV International Football Academy.

What fixtures will I play in?

FCV International Football Academy play in the following leagues:

• English Colleges U19 League
• Midland Football Leagues Under 21’s

Like any football club, players will be selected to play for games based on ability and attitude during training sessions.

Are FCV Stamford affiliated to the FA?

Yes, FCV Stamford affiliates every year with the Lincolnshire FA. In 2008 the club also achieved FA Charter Standard status, which they have held ever since.

How do I book a Short Course?

Click ‘Football’ along the top banner, then click on the ‘Short Courses’. Once here you can scroll down and click on ‘Build Your Own Course’. Simply select your arrival and departure date, then start your order.

Alternatively, you can email info@internationalfootball.academy and request for the Short Course booking forms. Complete and return them back to us with a copy of the players passport, we will respond to confirm all the details are in order before progressing to the payment.

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

Yes, simply email the office (info@internationallfootball.academy) to request the Short Course 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 Short Course commencing. This is due to FCV having to pre-arrange the accommodation and food for the duration of the players stay.

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Should you need to cancel your booking please advise FCV at least 10 working days before the Short Course. You will be refunded your booking fee less 25% of the fee to cover the administration costs and bank charges.

If you cancel your booking less than 10 working days before the Short Course, 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 Short Courses?

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.

Can I work whilst on a visitor visa?

No. Players on a visitor visa are not allowed to do any paid or unpaid work. For further clarification please following the link https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa

What is FIFA International Clearance?

FIFA International Clearance applies to any player over the age of 10 who is seeking to register for a club in England and has previously been registered for a club abroad (including the other Home Associations), or who is a foreign national seeking to register for the first time in this country.

If the player is under the age of 18, they are subject to the provisions of FIFA Article 19. International Clearance is applicable at all levels of the game.

Extract of FIFA Article 19 Protection of minors Rule

International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18, unless one of the three exceptions apply:

1. The player’s parents move to the country in which the new club is located for reasons not linked to football.
2. The transfer takes place within the territory of the EU or EEA and the player is between 16 to 18 years old. If this the case the club must meet FIFA’s minimum obligations, which includes in England the club competing in the English Football League (which FCV Stamford do not).
3. The player lives no further than 50 km from the national border and the club is no further than 100 km away from the player’s home.

Work Permits

Non-EU citizens who have received International Clearance would still require a work permit visa under Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 to sign a contract with a club in England that compete at Premier League level down to Step 4 of the non-league pyramid. A work permit is not required to play for a club from Step 5 of the non-league pyramid and below.

In order to apply for a Governing Body Endorsement from the FA, an applicant club must hold a Sponsor’s Licence under Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 of the PBS and thereby be eligible to assign Certificates of Sponsorship. To be eligible to become a Sponsor and assign Certificates of Sponsorship a club must be a member of The Premier League or The Football League.

The FA PBS criteria is due to be updated on 1^st May 2017, the FA have stated no major amendments to the regulations are set to be made.

Is there any education involved?

There is no education involved to attend the Short Course, 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 level of supervision do the players receive?

The boarding house is staffed 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by our highly experienced and qualified residential team.

What if I get injured on the Short Course?

The academy employs a full-time qualified Sports Therapist for football related injuries, who will be present during players stay. 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