Feedback on Acadamy

[Spoonz Red E]

To what extent does our academy exploit children and to what extent are we happy with current arrangements?

I know this was a concern of Julian Tagg a few seasons ago and he was looking proactively to improve what we did then by establishing firm links to Exeter College and ensuring we offered support to those youngsters who were released.

From the Club website at https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/teams/academy/ (my highlight)

"Exeter City Academy, based at the club’s Cliff Hill training ground, has a growing reputation for not only producing talented footballers but more importantly, well-rounded young men.

The academy’s ethos is to look after the best interests of every young player in our care and to strive to have as many of our young players as possible become professional football players.

We place a young man’s personal development above his football development and demand that our young players perform well at school, behave properly at all times and learn respect to ensure they can maximise their potential, on and off the pitch."

 

[andrew p long]

A few of the criticisms won't apply to our academy. Some players like George Friend and Alex Hartridge, did A levels rather than sacrifice everything for football at 16.

Last year, when the time came for professional contracts to be handed out 5 out of 7 made it, but extensive and successful efforts were made to ensure that the other two found decent destinations

 

[Spoonz Red E]

There's also this Canadian scholarship scheme which has enabled Josh Read & Dan Hayfield to study and develop after being released by us ...
https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/exeter-city-building-relationship-with-emerging-canadian-football-scene/

and

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2016/june/news-from-the-boardroom-academy-update/

 

[Spoonz Red E]

See also ...

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2016/march/city-apprentices-achieve-outstanding-results/

“It’s important to highlight that we encourage our youngsters to prioritise their academic work over and above the football – we think that is the right thing to do for their long-term future, because football isn’t going to look after them forever."

 

[Spoonz Red E]

And ....

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2015/july/st-lukes-science--sports-college-and-exeter-city-academy-celebrate-three-years-of-partnership/

An important part of holding on to Ethan while he finished his schooling.

 

[WXF]

Thanks Spoonz. Is encouraging that the club has tried to be ahead of the curve on this.

 

[Andy Holloway]

See also ...

https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2016/march/city-apprentices-achieve-outstanding-results/

“It’s important to highlight that we encourage our youngsters to prioritise their academic work over and above the football – we think that is the right thing to do for their long-term future, because football isn’t going to look after them forever."

I~d put a lot of that down to JT being from an educational background, plus of course PT being also involved with Education while at Bath.