Creating a vibrant football community is crucial for the success of any youth academy. 

However, it has the same level of difficulty and challenges on the way.

To be fair, the challenging part never ends.

Season after season, they will come up, eventually.

(..) my favorite quote as an Academy Director: “Maybe some of our players will reach professional stages and feed the dream of all the 1,000 kids coming next, but (hopefully) all will be adults.”

On one hand, there’s no other way to put it out there: it’s crucial for any Academy’s survival.

Your clients are not only the players (young children to teenagers), but also their parents.

Therefore, engaging parents and players fosters a supportive environment that enhances the overall experience for young athletes. 

But, how to create this culture?

Well, you will have to build a community, where it’s essential to establish open lines of communication with parents, encouraging their involvement in training sessions and events. 

Until some point.

Where are the lines defined?

The boundaries met?

You have to take an action here!

To start, you have to clearly understand where is this Club or Academy located and the demographics that surround it. 

Is there any history behind or it’s a brand new brand/club/academy?

If there is, what is the history?

What are the success stories, the bigger defeats?

Who was there before you join?

If it’s a brand new venture, where are you located?

Who are your direct competitors?

No bias here, but let me tell you in first hand, running an Academy in Lisbon (Portugal) is completely different from running an Academy in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)!

Once this is correctly understood and activities started, you can, and should, create regular meetings and workshops to provide insights into the academy’s philosophy, allowing parents to understand their role in supporting their child’s development. 

Naturally, by organizing community events, such as family football days or skill clinics, it helps strengthen bonds among families and players, creating a sense of belonging. 

But secondly, be clear about everyone’s expectations and you have plenty of data to support you, even if they don’t agree with you – less than 1% of the players make it to professional (!)

Simply put it out there.

Yes, you have a clear Vision, Mission and Objectives.
yes, you have a Methodology and a plan to execute.

Yes, you have your experience and knowledge on why this approach is the best for that specific Academy.

Yes, you are certain that you have the right team to support you.

However, in Football you can only control so much.

And that uncertainty can attract some challenges to the great community and environment you’re trying to build.

Be sure about this, it will come.

(…) be clear about everyone’s expectations and you have plenty of data to support you, even if they don’t agree with you – less than 1% of the players make it to professional (!)

My best advice, from 15+ years as a player, adding almost 15 years of Coaching, the most recent ones of those in managerial roles?
Simple: make sure you are clear, authentic and transparent with all involved always. 

That’s is the only way you can really create something special and real.

I have coached kids (now adults already parents of their own children) that still treat me as I was their Coach yesterday, greeting me with the biggest smile!

Why?

Because, I was authentic, real and always sincere.

Sometimes, when I was their Coach, they felt I should put them playing?

Maybe!

But, they know my intentions were always the best for the team and for each of them individual development.

I didn’t stopped wanting their individual development because they were not playing for 1 or 2 matches. 

It’s part of the process.

Their and mine.

Make it correctly, be aware that to have strong football community is hard, but the result is greater than any of them reaching to be professional player.

That will bring visibility, proud and reassuring your methods.

Remember my favorite quote as an Academy Director: “Maybe some of our players will reach professional stages and feed the dream of all the 1,000 kids coming next, but (hopefully) all will be adults.”

And the right community, not only boosts player morale but also cultivates a culture of teamwork and collaboration that extends beyond the pitch.
Create better humans that are also football players.

Thanks!