PREMIER LEAGUE

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RULES
GENERAL
Note: throughout this document binding Premier League Rules are shaded in light blue. Guidance
and other notes are also included for the assistance of Clubs. Such guidance and notes do not,
however, form part of the Rules.
Definitions
Rule 1 sets out definitions used in the Youth Development Rules. All other capitalised terms used in this
section of the Rules are defined in Premier League Rule A.1.
1. In this Section of the Rules the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1.1. “Academy” means an establishment for the coaching and education of Academy Players
operated by a Club in accordance with the requirements of this Section of the Rules and
licensed by the PGB pursuant to Rule 10.
1.2. “Academy Doctor” means the Official referred to in Rule 92.
1.3. “Academy Financial Information” means a budget for the following season, together with
a comparison of the budgeted and actual figures for the previous season, all of which information
shall be set out in the format to be prescribed by the League.
1.4. “Academy Management Team” has the meaning set out in Rule 49.
1.5. “Academy Manager” means the person responsible for the strategic leadership and operation of
a Club’s Academy, whose role and responsibilities are more particularly defined at Rules 51 to 57.
1.6. “Academy Performance Plan” means a document which sets out:
(a) the goals, strategy and measurable short-term and long-term performance targets for all
aspects of the work of the Club’s Academy, such strategy and performance targets to be
consistent with the Club’s Football Philosophy; and
(B) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph a), how the Academy will deliver and
integrate its Coaching, Education, Games and Sports Science and Medicine Programmes.
1.7. “Academy Player” means a male player (other than an Amateur Player or a Trialist) who is in
an age group between Under 9 to Under 21 and who is registered for and who is coached by or
plays football for or at a Club which operates an Academy pursuant to these Rules, save for any
player who:
(a) in the reasonable opinion of the Club which holds his registration has developed technical,
tactical, physical and psychological skills of such a level that he would not benefit from
participating or continuing to participate in its Academy’s Coaching Programme and
Games Programme; and
(b) is registered as a Contract Player for that Club; and
(c) is aged at least 18.
Guidance
It is emphasised that Academy Players aged 18 or older may no longer be treated as such only where this is reasonable,
and in the light of all the circumstances relevant to the particular Academy Player.
Clubs’ attention is drawn to Rule 69 which requires Clubs to develop and implement a procedure to enable the transition of
Academy Players to the senior squad, and also to Rule 105.1 which provides that each Academy Player has access to coaching
tailored to his individual needs. Any decision by a Club to cease treating an Academy Player as such where it is not reasonable
to do so in the light of his overall development and skill level may be treated at being a breach of this Rule.
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