Successful developmental set-ups has the potential to save a football club millions of Rands and Durban City FC Soccer “School of excellence” can proudly boast one of the most successful sporting institutions in the country.
The development of young, home grown talent has always been central to the structure of the Club. Indeed, if young potential is identified and developed correctly, a football club’s need to engage in major transfer transactions is limited. Accordingly, Durban City FC’s drive towards financial self-sufficiency is directly linked to a successful sporting tertiary structure capable of producing young players of the highest quality.
Best of the Best
To achieve this it is vital that Durban City FC recruits only those young players with outstanding football potential and an extensive scouting network is in place to identify the best young talent around.
The football school prides itself on its premier facilities and utilises the unique atmosphere of the Club to enhance a positive learning environment. With a dedicated team of highly qualified and experienced staff, the coaching, medical, fitness and administration personnel work closely together to ensure organization of the highest standard.
Training
The training that takes place in the football school follows a technical programme which is carefully tailored to suit the still developing bodies of the young players. The method is based on a guided repetition style where skills are repeated continuously until techniques are mastered. Drills allow players maximum contact with the ball and emphasis is placed on individual progress rather than match results. Breeding a competitive attitude is deemed important but not to the detriment of long term development.
Player Health
Durban City FC recognizes the vital importance of maintaining the medical health and welfare of each of the football schools players and a full array of medical services is available to them. The Institution places major emphasis on physical preparation and, through the players’ various stages of physical development, prominence is placed on correct posture, balance and body positioning, aiming to build strong bodies that will be resistant to injury and recover quickly following play.
All-round development
Acknowledging its responsibility towards the holistic development of young players, the progress of the whole individual is never compromised by the focus placed on technical advance. Durban City FC’s participants are assured of the best coaching and facilities in order to maximize the opportunity of becoming a professional. However, the Club also recognizes the statistics - becoming a professional player is an extremely difficult task and there are no guarantees.
Education
Consequently, football school players are encouraged to develop a wide range of skills through the educational and core skills programme. The aim is that if a player leaves the Academy without a professional contract they can still reflect on their experience at Dbn City FC as being a highly productive one, and support is provided for all players who are released.
Philosophy
At Durban City FC we aim to develop each player to First Team level. To be able to achieve this outcome it is vitally important that we recruit only those young players with outstanding football potential.
Facilities
The training institution prides itself on the facilities and atmosphere at the Club that enhance a positive learning environment. The Football Club has a dedicated team of highly qualified and experienced staff. Coaching, medical, fitness and administration personnel work closely together to ensure organization of the highest standard.
Programme
There is a comprehensive Technical Programme, which progresses from Under 15 levels to the first team. Each level is carefully tailored to suit the relevant age category. The programme has a guided repetition style of coaching where players are exposed to a number of technical sessions on a consistent basis. The sessions replicate situations that occur during games, specific to a player's general role on the field.
Progress
These sessions, combined with small sided games and technical ball warm ups compromise the bulk of the weekly sessions. Dependent upon the stage of development, fitness and psychological workshops are implemented. In addition to the Technical programme a large emphasis is placed on the development of the 'whole player'. The training institution aims to develop each player technically, academically, personally and socially.
Introduction
Durban City FC’s training sports model has created a learning environment, both on and off the pitch, which will support our players to ensure that their time with the program will be a positive and beneficial experience. We have, on site, the finest staff, facilities, services and equipment to create an atmosphere of excellence. Everything from the coaching and teaching to the medical care, is planned to ensure that the football school experience will give a unique opportunity to develop mentally, physically and socially, so that the player can secure a productive place in society.
Education
The continual educational development of all players is a crucial part of Our Sporting Institute life. At the Sporting fraternity we take our commitment to education very seriously and we aim to create solid working relationships with schools for our Schoolboys and Scholars. We view the educational element not only as a ‘safety net’ should the boys not fulfill their football ambitions, but also to teach lifestyle skills that will prove valuable throughout the life of the football school player.
Our involvement is basically at two levels:
(a) Schoolboy (15-19 years)
At this stage we aim to build a relationship with the player’s school which ensures an open channel of communication, so that any potential problems may be identified and resolved at the earliest opportunity. The partnership between the school, parents/guardian, player and Head of Education and Welfare can positively support and encourage the boy to reach his potential.
Subject to Youth Development rules, the number of authorized games to be played in a season by a Football developmental player shall be a minimum of 24 games and a maximum of 30 games. This includes all school and representative matches. We would encourage boys to play for their school and representative teams, as we feel it is important for them to mix with their peers. The partnership with the football school, parents and schools, helps to ensure that the player adheres to the number of games as laid down by The Premier League, whilst maintaining his academic studies.
(b) Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (15 – 19)
Once the player becomes a full-time scholar he will embark on the ‘ASE’ programme. ASE has been created to support the football element of the two year scholarship. The combination of work based learning and theory sessions ensures that the scholar receives a balanced and challenging education programme.
ASE has three components:
1. Football Element 12 hours per week 2. Education Element 10 hours per week 3. Work based learning
This in-house delivery allows for greater flexibility to integrate the education provision with the demands of the football element of the scholarship.
The scholars follow in Sport Studies (Performance and Excellence) over the two year scholarship programme.
Work Based Learning
The scholars follow an NQF Levels (work based learning) in the form of keeping a comprehensive and extensive Training Diary. The training institution also provides a wide-ranging Core Skills programme which is designed to enhance the life skills of the Scholar. Topics include media skills, financial planning, driving skills, drink and drugs awareness Aids etc. The topics are delivered by a combination of internal and external providers to offer a broad perspective.
Welfare
Our aim is to provide a caring welfare system where players can discuss any personal problems that may arise in complete confidence. At Durban City FC we recognize that, together with the positive aspects of being a developmental player, there are also pressures on elite athletes. These are pressures that not only affect the player but his family. We understand the enormous commitment involved in taking an active part in the football school and wish to offer as much support as possible. The Head of Education and Welfare has responsibility for the pastoral care for registered players from age 14 years to 19 years. The welfare of full time Development Players is particularly important as, in many cases; they are living away from home for the first time. The Institute endeavors to ensure that the lodging accommodation provided for them meets their individual needs and provides them with a happy and stable environment in which to live. The scholars are offered assistance in all areas, both practical and personal. The Institute’s aim is to make the time a player spends with us a rewarding and enjoyable experience. In reality, some players will ultimately be released from the football school and, in these circumstances; we assist players in finding alternative football clubs as appropriate, and offer help and guidance in pursuing alternative training and careers.
Safeguarding Children
The Academy consistently monitors and reviews its policies and procedures; we have a comprehensive Bullying Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy and Complaints Procedure. All Durban City FC staff, both full and part time, will attend Child Protection Training to promote awareness and encourage best practice.
Information on Trials
1. There are no specific trial dates with the Durban City FC School of excellence.
2. Players (U15-U19) are asked to write to the Durban City FC Dept with a foot balling CV to include the following details:
(a) Current club/school (b) Age/date of birth (c) List of fixtures when the boy will be playing (d) Position (e) Contact telephone number and address
3. A decision will then be made whether to send a scout to watch a game.
4. If the player shows potential he will be asked to attend our Development Center where their abilities are assessed. Some players may then be invited to the Academy for a trial.
5. If the player shows very good potential he may be invited straight into the Academy for a six week trial. This involves training (usually four times a week) and a game on a Sunday.
6. A decision is made between two and six weeks whether to sign or release.
Address for CVs: email :info.durbancityfc@gmail.com
Contact: Glen Adams: 0833327401
Our Website: durbancityfootballschool.com
Chief Youth Scout Durban City FC Training Ground