Hey!

Getting back to the Academy theme, I found interesting to speak about to the key considerations and main challenges on finding sustainability in a Youth Football Academy. Firstly, wether we like it more or less, a Football Academy is also business and we must understand it as that if we want to have the ability to provide Coaches good conditions to work and achieve retention of Staff, ultimately. The sustainability of a business is always challenging and goes back to what we talked on the Vision, Values and Objectives that are set to the Academy. As for new academies to thrive and shine, for existing football academies, maintaining sustainability and growth is equally challenging. And those words are equal in value and importance, because it’s very hard to think about sustainability isolated from continuous growth and development. 

“However, does that mean that the larger Academy has better chances of development good players? In simple terms, no.”

At least, I see it that way, even if we are set to get to a certain level and we cannot grow more than that, because it’s literally impossible to accommodate more teams, or players. To better explain my point here, let’s take for example the facilities available for training sessions and the impact that those have on the numbers that the Academy can achieve. It seems obvious that if there’s only 1 field (11v11 size) available for training, from say 6pm to 8pm, there’s a limit of teams and players that my Academy has the ability to sustain, and in cases where there’s more fields available, or different timings, that Academy has the POTENTIAL to achieve higher numbers of teams, or players. However, does that mean that the larger Academy will achieve better results? Or, in other words, better chances to develop good players, and future adults? In simple terms, no. It really comes down to what is happening on and off the field, in the quality of the services provided. 

The quality becomes the most relevant element of the Academy (it should always be, honestly, regardless the Academy stage of life), and that is where the focus should be. And this quality focus must be present in all Departments, from the speed that parents have their payments done, receipts received and spotless care and attention, to the gym, medical, recovery and physiotherapy departments conditions, to the stands for the games to be observed, etc. All must be taken into account and considered if quality is the focus of the Academy.

In addition, I’ve set a few points to consider, specifically for the stage where the Academy is when concerned about sustaining in business, such as:

• Player and Coach Retention: Keeping talented players engaged and committed is vital. Regular assessments and personalized development plans can help retain top talent. The same applies to Coaching Staff, with all the difficulties that the Coaching Staff presents when compared to Youth Players, due to the market volatility. However, to present a Coaching path of development within the Academy, provide top conditions to work, open communication and educational workshops can have an impact on the Coaches perception of their individual development. Ultimately, the Academy should intend to avoid a constant change of Staff.
• Quality Coaching: There’s nothing here that will add to the point itself. It’s obvious, mandatory and crucial concern. Ultimately, Coaching Staff are the face of the Academy, those with the greater exposure to the outside eyes. Without quality Coaching Staff, there’s not much to look for in an Academy, as is a matter of time before people realize it and look for other Clubs or Academies. Sustaining a high-quality coaching staff is really crucial. As stated before, providing ongoing professional development opportunities for coaches helps maintain standards.
• Competitive Edge: Maintaining a competitive edge in coaching methods, facilities, and curriculum is crucial. Staying updated with the latest trends and innovations is more than necessary, but mandatory to retain that competitive edge. If you had it before, why should you lose it?
• Brand Building: Building a strong brand reputation is essential for attracting new talent and partnerships. Consequently, the arrival of new talents will impact on the retention of the existing talents, providing opportunities for greater development. Established Academies should focus on positive branding through successful player stories, testimonials and community engagement, presenting successful records and stories. This is an unique advantage, for instance, that newly academies cannot access because they still didn’t had time to have success stories. If an Academy aligns good general reputation with good conditions, facilities, training methodology and success stories, why should people choose for a different Academy?
• Financial Management: Ensuring a stable financial position is an ongoing concern. There is a need for the Academy to have a proper financial planning, cost control, and revenue diversification. There may be other products or services that the Academy can provide within the same field (Sports) as clothing products, nutritional products or services, personal training private classes (Goalkeepers, Mental, Technical or Physical focused Sessions), or even a set of workshops for sports community. There’s a number of activities that can be set, with or without the Municipality involvement, and that can result in increasing reputation and branding for the Academy. Are you afraid to sell your products or services? Why? Aren’t they the best you could find and/or do?
• Talent Pipeline: Although this point goes directly to the Vision, Values and Objectives of your Academy and the context that the Academy is involved, there are no doubts that nurturing a consistent talent pipeline for senior teams is vital, and that Academies should have a clear pathway for player progression. Make no mistakes that if you’re involved in a Club, all teams results, fixtures, league position, relegations or promotions have a direct impact on the other teams. Are results the only way to evaluate one Academy’s work? NO. Do they have an impact on your Academy’s image and direct impact on the ability to retain or search for the best talents? Yes, definitely. Same applies to Private Academies, normally exposed to private leagues or tournaments, although in a smoother tone. Even when you have both sides – Private and Competitive teams – the communication between them and integration of players from the private sector to the competitive teams can result in a better judgement of the quality of your services and increased value of your proposal, as players (and their parents) want to be sure their efforts are recognized.
• Adaptation: Adapting to changes in regulations, technology, and the football landscape is essential for long-term success. Just as its crucial for a Coach to have a set of tools ready to use when confronting different oppositions and to prepare athletes for different tactical systems, opposition defending and pressing methods, or offensive decisions, there’s a need to create the right environment to understand adaptation as a key element for growth. What does adaptation normally creates? Mistakes. A lot of mistakes. And so what? A player in development stages must and should make a lot of errors. Most importantly, they must learn from them. And try again, reinforced with their experiences.
• Player Welfare: Ongoing focus on player welfare, safety, and mental health support is a growing concern in football academies. As obvious as it may seem, keep in mind that a reputation may take years to build but a single moment to loose. Don’t let that happen, is simple.

“What does adaptation normally creates? Mistakes. A lot of mistakes. And so what? A player in development stages must and should make a lot of errors. Most importantly, they must learn from them. And try again, reinforced with their experiences.”

In conclusion, establishing and sustaining a youth football academy requires (again) meticulous planning, adherence to best practices, and a commitment to holistic player development.

As you may be aware, I’ve questioned a lot of the points stated here. It’s done with a propose, because as “normal” or “obvious” they may seen, these are exactly the points that people normally miss when things get into cruise-control mode. They tend to relax and feel there’s no big difference between having or not having a good payments process, or having video sessions with their players individually. Yes, it does impact tremendously on present status and even more on the future and sustainability of the Academy.

I intentionally intend to shake your ideas and to make you think.

You don’t want to feel relaxed.

I know I don’t.

Find the small things to improve and turn quality focus and continuous growth mentality a Culture within the Academy.

I’m constantly “accused” by family and close friends to be a perfectionist seeker, like someone that is never happy with the result of something, almost like detached from the reality. Although, I tend to agree with their arguments, I’m someone really thankful for all my life and circumstances. I also understand to be someone that really enjoys hard working, continuous learning and looking for a better way for me to do things. But it does come with a lot of caveats attached. It makes me unable to enjoy present moments as other people do, because I’m already trying to understand what I’ve could have done better and looking for future goals and objectives.

Why am I sharing this with you?

Because it took me a lot of time to understand myself.

And so does everyone, I believe.

And it’s ok.

Just make sure that regardless your goals and objectives, you know yourself first and what you really want to achieve.

Just as an Academy must have their Vision, Values and Objectives cristal-clear on all involved minds. This is called Culture, and you may be the responsible for it at the Academy.

You surely are responsible for your Culture.

Will come back on the Culture theme!

Thanks again.