PREMIER LEAGUE

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RULES
COACHING
105. Each Club shall ensure that:
105.1. each Academy Player has access to individual coaching tailored to his specific needs; and
105.2. all coaching is recorded on the Academy Player’s Performance Clock.
106. Each Club shall ensure that a coach to Academy Players ratio of 1:10 is maintained for all
coaching sessions (save that the ratio for Category 1 Academies using the Full Time Training
Model shall be 1:8).
107. Each Club shall ensure that each Academy Player in age groups Under 9 and older participates
at least once a year in a Festival (or other coaching event such as a Training Camp or a
Tournament) which lasts for at least two days.
108. Each Club shall ensure that each of its coaches plans each coaching session by setting out
the learning objectives which the session is designed to achieve and the coaching which will
be given in order to achieve them.
Development Centres
109. Each Club which operates a Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 Academy may operate one
or more Development Centres, to be located within one hour’s travelling time of the location
of its principal venue for the provision of coaching and education to Academy Players.
110. A Child being coached at a Club’s Development Centre:
110.1. may not be registered for that Club;
110.2. may not play in matches for that Club unless registered as a Trialist; and
110.3. will be free to play for other teams.
111. Clubs which operate Development Centres shall keep an attendance record of all the
Children who participate in coaching sessions thereat.
112. Each Development Centre operated by a Club may be inspected from time to time by the
League and by the ISO.
113. Without prejudice to the generality of Rule 112, the inspection referred to in that Rule
may include:
113.1. inspection of the facilities provided; and
113.2. assessment of whether the coaching provided at the Development Centre is in
accordance with the Club’s coaching syllabus.
114. No Club shall cause or permit a Child whose registration is held by another Club (or club)
or with whom another Club (or club) has entered into a pre-registration agreement which
remains current to attend its Development Centre.
115. No Club shall cause or permit a team representing its Development Centre to play football
against a team representing another Club (or a Football League club).
Guidance Note
The above Rules are based on the existing provisions concerning Development Centres. It is proposed that further
consultation is undertaken with Clubs to explore and redefine the future role of Development Centres. It is anticipated
that this consultation will take place during season 2012/13.
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