ESSEX SELECT ACADEMY

1. ESSEX SELECT ACADEMY “Are you prepared to take your game to the next level”

2. “To deliver the premier football development programme in the region, bridging the gap from grassroots to academy football for players with potential.” PROGRAMME AIM

3. WHY ESA? • Provide an elite level coaching experience on a weekly basis, led by a full team of UEFA qualified coaches with experience in coaching at professional academies in the region • Extremely selective training group with a focus on quality not quantity of players. This allows us to have a greater impact on the individual • Unrivalled facilities and coaching programme aimed at developing and further enhancing the individual’s strengths across multiple areas • Varied and stimulating games programme to challenge the individual, giving players the opportunity to compete against professional clubs, independent academies, grassroots clubs whilst experiencing competitive tournament football

4. OUR VALUES/CULTURE PASSION – Our staff are passionate in regards to player development and we believe it is our role to inspire a love for the game with all players that we work with. We ensure that our ESA sessions are enjoyable, exciting and have a fun learning outcome that is challenging. POSITIVITY – Young people need positive messages to be willing to have a go at something outside their comfort zone which is where real learning takes place. We recognise that each player that comes into contact with our coaches is unique and we look to encourage their strengths an opposed to concentration solely on weaknesses to give each individual the best opportunity to succeed. HARD WORK – We promote and demonstrate to our players the importance of working hard and giving your all in everything that you do. In football there are countless examples of players that may have lacked technical ability of others, but been successful and reached the top through having a willingness to learn and train with the maximum energy, effort and commitment.

5. PATHWAY/RECRUITMENT PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CLUB ACADEMY HOW WE RECRUIT: Players released from professional clubs Locally scouted players Recommended after attending an EPC programme Recommendations from local club managers Open trials WHAT WE LOOK FOR WHEN RECRUITING: We look for players with a outstanding strength to their game that can be developed in either the physical, technical, tactical or psychological/social corners. ESSEX SELECT ACADEMY EPC FOOTBALL CENTRE (Halstead/Colchester /Clacton) EPC TEAM/1-2-1 COACHING PROGRAMME EPC HOLIDAY CAMP (Multiple Venues) EPC SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAMME

6. TRAINING PROGRAMME The ESA training programme will take place during term time on the brand new 4G AstroTurf pitch The Philip Morant School & College in Colchester on the following days and times. THURSDAYS 6-7.30PM U9, U10, U11 & GK’s TUESDAYS 6-7PM U6, U7 & U8’s Each session will have a clear structure and will follow our coaching syllabus to develop players individual skills across the four corners, focusing on the key aspects of football - stopping, creating & scoring goals.

7. TRAINING STRUCTURE

8. TRAINING SYLLABUS

9. TRAINING PROGRAMME • A key aspect of the Essex Select Academy programme is to put the individual first. • As part of the programme, players will be issued with an individual learning plan tailored to their needs by the end of their first block of sessions in the academy. Players will be encouraged to take ownership and responsibility of this moving forwards, with coaches providing regular feedback to ensure continued development and monitoring throughout the year. • Each players ILP will provide an opportunity for players and coaches to discuss feedback at training sessions and after games. Players will then be able to take this feedback home to parents as a way of involving them in the learning process. Our coaching team will meet to discuss players progression and performances internally every 10 weeks and make adjustments to individuals ILP’s if necessary. • We believe it is our responsibility as coaches to develop people just not players. The programme will incorporate aspects that foster a love for the game, competitive nature, problem solving, responsibility, discipline and commitment, whilst also giving players the tools to deal with set backs and develop self belief and bravery

10. GAMES PROGRAMME • Providing players with the opportunity to play regular football is vital in regards to development and the Essex Select Academy will commit to a minimum of 10 fixtures per season, per age group across the school holidays and on training nights. • TRAINING NIGHTS – Every block of sessions (e.g. September to October) each age group will participate in at least one fixture on a training night. We may bring in local clubs to provide the opposition or play in house fixtures across age groups to test our players. • SCHOOL HOLIDAYS – During the school holiday period each age group will participate in at least one fixture against either a professional club or independent academy (During October, February, April & May). This will ensure that players will be face regular challenges in match play scenarios across the season by playing against various levels of oppositions. During the school holidays we may make travel arrangements for away fixtures to ensure we arrive together as a team in a professional manner in which case there will be an additional cost, however all other games programme costs are factored into the yearly fee. • The Essex Select Academy programme will try to ensure whenever possible that any fixtures arranged in the games programme DO NOT affect your sons grassroots team fixtures. We will ensure that players receive equal game time in games situations

11. KIT All players will be expected to purchase the Essex Select Academy kit to be worn on training nights and on match days. Items can be ordered individually or in packages (Basic £35, Advanced £87 & Elite £119). Our suppliers Patriot Sports handle all Essex Select Academy kit orders and the full range can be viewed or ordered on the following link: www.patriotsports.co.uk/essexprofessionalcoaching. Please note all embroidered items take 4 weeks to ship and are non refundable so please check sizes before ordering!

12. PHYSIOTHERAPY/INJURY PREVENTION Injury prevention is a key area especially in the foundation age groups where players are experiencing accelerated growth and development. We will ensure that we have specialist physiotherapy cover at each Essex Select Academy Session & Game to deal with any injuries that may arise but also to support players who might have been injured playing for their grassroots clubs. Injured players will be able to continue to attend sessions on training nights for treatment and rehab work, with these costs covered as part of the academy package. We will also give advice to players to enable them to learn the importance of looking after their bodies and preparing themselves to play and train to the best level possible. Parents should inform their sons head coach at least 24 hours beforehand where possible prior to the session/game if their son is not be able to take part for planning purposes and so that this information can be relaid to the relevant physio for the night.

13. PROGRAMME COSTS • The above cost includes all training sessions with our UEFA licenced coaches and games programme fixtures throughout the year, individual learning plans to be implemented for your son to enhance his development and physio support over the full 45 weeks of the year that the ESA programme runs. • We believe in long term player development therefore each player offered a position on the programme will be offered a minimum of 1 season in the programme which is the commitment that parents are making when signing their child up to the programme. • Payment can be made in full before the beginning of the season or split into 3 equal instalments to be made by the following deadlines throughout the year. • BLOCK 1 - (Payment made By 2nd August – We recommend kit is also ordered by this date to ensure it arrives ready for 1st session of the season) • BLOCK 2 - (Payment made by By 13th December) • BLOCK 3 - (Payment By 27th March) U6 – U8 PLAYERS £345 PER YEAR U9 – U11 PLAYERS £450 PER YEAR

14. LEAVING/PROGRESSING THROUGH THE PROGRAMME POSSIBLE PROGRESSIONS/EXIT ROUTES ACADEMY CONTRACT AT PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CLUB: The ultimate aim is to progress players as far as possible with the highest level being academy football at a professional club. Players progressing from the ESA to being signed within a professional clubs academy are free to leave at any point during the season, however it is important to bare in mind that players will no longer be able to play for their local Saturday/Sunday club. OFFERED ELITE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE AT PROFESSIONAL CLUB: Occasionally clubs may offer players the opportunity to join their elite centre before making a further decision as to whether or not they will be offering the player a trial in the academy programme. In this instance all players MUST continue to attend the Essex Select Academy unless the training nights clash in which case we will look at making alternative provisions where possible. We advise parents to find out all details when offered these programmes as often they are not linked to the clubs academy directly and players can be released without prior warning, which is why players are encouraged to continue their development with us alongside these centres. DECIDING TO LEAVE THE PROGRAMME: We hope that no player ever has a reason to decide that they want to leave the Essex Select Academy. Should this be the case it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to make programme manager Adam Hampson aware and to detail the specific reasons so that action may be taken and to meet if necessary. If the player still wishes to leave the programme after the programme manager has been made aware they will be free to do so, provided that parents have made payment for that current instalment of sessions. *Please note that in the case of progressing into academy football or leaving the programme midway through a session block, parents will not be due any refund for that block but and will not have to make payment for future blocks up until the end of the season.

15. Contact Programme Manager – Adam Hampson E: Adam.hampson@epcoaching.co.uk P: 07976 931010 ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?