How to Join a Football Academy in the UK

For young footballers dreaming of going pro, FCV Football Academy is a fantastic opportunity. Known for our high-quality training and links to top clubs, our academy can help you develop your skills and take your game to the next level. But how do you join? Let’s break it down.

Typically, there are several pathways you can take to join a Football Academy:

  1. Research and Identify Suitable Academies
    Begin by researching football academies that match your skill level, age group, and career goals. Consider factors such as location, coaching staff, facilities, and the academy’s track record in developing professional players.
  2. Prepare a Strong Application
    Compile a comprehensive application that includes your football resume, highlight videos showcasing your skills, and any relevant certifications or achievements. Ensure your application stands out by emphasising your unique strengths and dedication to the sport.
  3. Attend Trials and Open Days
    Participate in trials or open day events organised by the academies. These sessions are crucial for showcasing your talent to the coaching staff. Perform at your best by staying physically and mentally prepared, and demonstrate both technical skills and teamwork.
  4. Seek Recommendations and Network
    Leverage connections in the football community to get recommendations from coaches or former players. Networking can provide valuable insights and increase your chances of being noticed by academy scouts. Join local clubs or leagues to gain experience and exposure.

FCV players lining up for a football match at Pride Park, Derby.

FCV International Football Academy provides a unique pathway into a football academy by combining education with professional football training, offering a structured approach to player development. Unlike traditional academies that primarily focus on athletic performance, FCV integrates academic studies, personal development, and elite coaching to prepare players for a variety of career pathways, both on and off the field.

Requirements for Joining FCV Football Academy

Age Range and Skill Level

To join FCV Football Academy, you need to be aged between 15 and 23 for our Football Only & Football With Education programs, and  aged 14-19 for our Football Summer Camps. While we academy welcomes players with different skill levels, you must show a clear passion for improving your game.

Fees and Funding Options

Enrolment at FCV comes with tuition fees, which cover both football coaching, education and accommodation. Prices vary depending on the programme you choose. For those worried about costs, we offer payment plans to make things more accessible.

How Much Does It Cost to Join FCV Football Academy

Below is a full breakdown of our fees depending on course:

Football with Education – Find Out More

For students who are looking to take their game to the next level and really kickstart their career in football. These courses are for students aged 16+ and can include education alongside your football program.

EU + International students
£35,000 – per academic year

UK Passport students
£30,500 – per academic year

Fees include: Football course, academic course, accommodation, 3 meals per day, training kit, matchday kit and:

  • In-house full-time coaching programme with UEFA qualified coaches including specialist goalkeeping sessions
  • Competitive league fixtures, friendlies with pro clubs and showcase match opportunities
  • Filming of matches and post-match analysis.
  • Specific strength and conditioning sessions
  • Fitness monitoring and testing.
  • Sport injury support
  • Nutrition, health and lifestyle advice.
  • Specialist support to address mental health, emotional welfare and addictive disorders
  • Team building activities.
  • Media Training.
  • Support with exit pathways and provision of references.

Football Only Courses – Find Out More

Football Only Courses are designed to give players an experience of how professional clubs train every day. They are available for players aged between 15-23 and can be booked from a minimum of 2 weeks. Whilst attending a Football Only Course, players will stay at our exclusive accommodation and prepared three meals per day by our on-site chef. Our UEFA qualified coaching team will deliver football and analysis sessions, providing players with the right environment to develop their skills and techniques ready to showcase their talents in front of scouts and coaches.

Ultimate Football Experience

2 Weeks -£1,795

4 Weeks – £3,549

8 Weeks – £7,000

12 Weeks – £10,299

16 Weeks – £13,599

20 Weeks – £16,799

24 Weeks – £19,899

Full Season (35 Weeks) – £27,999

Fees include: Football course, accommodation, 3 meals per day, training kit, matchday kit and:

  • In-house full-time coaching programme with UEFA qualified coaches including specialist goalkeeping sessions
  • Competitive league fixtures, friendlies with pro clubs and showcase match opportunities
  • Filming of matches and post-match analysis.
  • Specific strength and conditioning sessions
  • Fitness monitoring and testing.
  • Sport injury support
  • Nutrition, health and lifestyle advice.
  • Specialist support to address mental health, emotional welfare and addictive disorders
  • Team building activities.
  • Media Training.
  • Opportunity to take FA Coaching badges and referee’s course.
  • Support with exit pathways and provision of references.

FCV Players on our 7-a side pitch

Summer Football Camps – Find Out More

Our summer football camps give players the opportunity to experience football in England for a 2-8 week period. During this time players will get to take part in competitive friendly matches, training daily and an exciting excursion to a Premier League stadium.

Price:

2 Weeks – £1999

English Language Lessons optional – £200 per week for 8 hours of tuition (Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm)

Fees include: Football course, accommodation, 3 meals per day, training kit, matchday kit &…

  • In-house full-time coaching programme with UEFA qualified coaches including specialist goalkeeping sessions
  • Friendly fixtures
  • Stadium Tours, Shopping Mall Trips, other off site activities.
  • Filming of matches and post-match analysis.
  • Specific strength and conditioning sessions
  • Fitness monitoring and testing.
  • Sport injury support
  • Team building activities.

Visa Applications

FCV will support you through the visa application process. For more information please click HERE

Application Process

  1. Contact Us: Callemail or complete our online enquiry form, providing details about yourself along with your football and academic aspirations.
  2. Online Meeting: Our team will conduct a virtual meeting to learn more about you and ensure that FCV is the right fit for your goals.
  3. Application: Following on from your meeting with our admissions team, we will send you an application form the complete.
  4. Acceptance: Once accepted, you’ll embark on an extraordinary journey that combines football excellence and academic achievement.

 

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