To enable players to put their hard work into practice at regular intervals within the programme we arrange matches against other professional session providers. These are normally arranged to take place during school holidays when the Academy training sessions take a rest (normally on the same weekday evening as sessions run).
We are probably the only organisation of our type that doesn’t have an ability bar that filters less experienced players; therefore on each occasion we are careful to select players of a similar standard to form a team and play against a team of an equivalent standard. Only players that have excelled in their effort and discipline are selected.
We endeavour to balance two key aims: provide a high pressure match experience as a development opportunity, and win the match as a team effort in line with the programme topics learned. Players are guaranteed half a game playing time.
The games can be arranged to be either home or away. For home games we charge a session fee for participation. The coaches give their time freely to manage games, so the fee is used to cover the additional costs of a referee and hospitality refreshments (hot savory food, sweet snacks and soft drinks). Note that refreshments are not always provided by opposition hosts.
Players must arrive in smart attire (collared shirt, trousers and shoes – school uniform is acceptable). Changing rooms are used to put on kit and for initial team preparation/briefing. Players must also wear their smart attire during hospitality.