Question about academies for all you football insiders

D

Departed

Guest
A friend of my son has been invited via Cesc Fabregas' father to Fabregas' Academy for a 2 week trial. If successful he will move over there later next year for 6 months.

Is this a a sign of great things? Is this a first level filter? Is this one of those acadamies that are open to anyone?

What are the ramifications and what are the implications?

 
Has he been invited FOC or is he paying his own flights and fees?

Are you sure it's a trial and not just a footballing boot camp?
 
Signing up for 6 months makes it sounds like more than just a boot camp - that's a lot of investment in a young talent.

Best people to ask are probably the ones who run it themselves though
 
Spursex - 18/12/2014 12:21

Has he been invited FOC or is he paying his own flights and fees?

Are you sure it's a trial and not just a footballing boot camp?
Click to expand...

That is what I am trying to figure out. I think it is a con job. His father is all over this. $$$$$.

 
Dave the Yid - 18/12/2014 22:18

Signing up for 6 months makes it sounds like more than just a boot camp - that's a lot of investment in a young talent.

Best people to ask are probably the ones who run it themselves though
Click to expand...

Having been around elite amateur sports for a while now I always 2nd guess what I am hearing. It is such a racket now.
 
The family has to cover his first year expenses. He is 14. His father has to move to Spain with him for the 6 month period if it progresses to that.
 
Can someone please give me an explanation of how an academy functions. Thank you.
 
As someone that works with grass roots kids football, I am currently getting a few parents claiming that their son has been "invited" to the ars*nal Soccer academy, which is quite close by and of course their knowing nod and wink is that their child has been scouted and therefore is on the ladder to become a Premiership superstar.

The fact that they are paying and as such the academy has only very limited links to the club, doesn't seem to deter them. Also the quality of players are usually very average and merely ego driven, by parents. Is a great financial racket with little or no chance of proving a better development ground
 
Thanks Ox. We have the same format here for a number of sports. Still trying to figure out if this boy's parents are being put through the same thing you described. Ex's question about are they paying kind of nails it. 6 months in Spain with them parents paying, if they are invited after the initial 2 week "camp" sounds "different". The thing that I am not sure about is that Cesc Fabregas' name is on it. Beckham's camps were all pay as you go.
 
Thanks Ox. We have the same format here for a number of sports. Still trying to figure out if this boy's parents are being put through the same thing you described. Ex's question about are they paying kind of nails it. 6 months in Spain with them parents paying, if they are invited after the initial 2 week "camp" sounds "different". The thing that I am not sure about is that Cesc Fabregas' name is on it. Beckham's camps were all pay as you go.
 
Normally, a junior player is scouted and then solicited. If any cash changes hands it goes in the direction of the family. This is how I picture a true academy situation.
 
80deg16minW - 2/2/2015 13:46

Normally, a junior player is scouted and then solicited. If any cash changes hands it goes in the direction of the family. This is how I picture a true academy situation.
Click to expand...

Precisely. Any other route I'd be very very wary of. If a kid is that good to be invited to an academy for a trial - the academy will pay all the expenses - i.e. when Loungo was first invited to Spurs, all his expenses were met by the club - obviously he was taken on because of the impression he made.

If they are in doubt, but do think he's that good tell them to contact
Michael Verguizas he is our Scout & Development Centre Manager. He actively is looking for pre- Academy players U6,U7,&U8 Elite players.

Or try Taff Rahman - Academy Coach and he's pretty good at pointing parents in the right direction or to one of our scouts; so one of these: Martin Munday, Bob Langford, Wayne seal or Wayne Robinson - all can be reached through the clubs normal telephone number.

I can't easily recall if we have any Canadian affiliate scouts, but if there are, they'll tell the parents and have him/them check him out - it might be worth their while also getting a video compilation of his skills/games to send in as well - that always makes a good starting point.

 
Thanks Ex. I am not sure I want to step in unless I am asked again. Which may happen from a different angle and superficially has happened.
 
As Ex and Ox have said mate academies do not charge...... Would tell him to steer clear.
Of course it would turn heads of any parent if it's related to fabregas.
Davor Suker used to do the same years ago.... Lots of rich kids parents payed to send their kids to a type of soccer school..... Of course if there were any good ones they would pass on details to clubs....
 
dogeatdog - 3/2/2015 21:27

As Ex and Ox have said mate academies do not charge...... Would tell him to steer clear.
Of course it would turn heads of any parent if it's related to fabregas.
Davor Suker used to do the same years ago.... Lots of rich kids parents payed to send their kids to a type of soccer school..... Of course if there were any good ones they would pass on details to clubs....
Click to expand...

The boy is 14. does that make any difference?
 
Don't think so mate Suker soccer schools used to take all ages right up to u16s if I remember correctly.
Would tell the dad to do a little more homework on it before making any commitment.
They could have contacts at clubs and if the boys any good they could pass on his details.
I would think any offers from clubs would mean the soccer school gets a kickback.
Nothing in football gets done for free..... If you know what I mean.
 
Also academies only take lads of a similar quality where as soccer schools take anyone who can pay.
Not saying the lad doesn't have talent...... But if you go a long and watch the standard of player your soon enough realise what it's all about.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.