Our Academy prospects are recruited from all countries around the world. Students have previously come from countries such
as Bermuda, Australia, Greece, France, USA, Cameroon, West Indies, Nigeria, Martinique & Thailand.
Our aim at the Wakefield AFC is to provide education in a multi-cultural environment that is safe and secure, whilst training and
playing in a full-time football environment, Please note that education is optional.
We recognise that the success of the Academy is a partnership between the player, parents and staff, with all parties playing an active role to support the player in achieving their ambitions.
Our relationships in professional football allow us to provide every opportunity for a player to progress to their optimal level in
the game.
We also have strong connections with the EFL with our Chairman, Chris Turner, and First Team Manager, Adam Lockwood,
boasting over 800 professional football appearances between them.
Chris Turner played over 450 professional games for teams such as Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland AFC and Manchester United, as well as coaching at professional level with Leyton Orient, Hartlepool United, Sheffield Wednesday and Stockport county.
Adam Lockwood played nearly 400 professional games predominantly with Yeovil Town and Doncaster Rovers_ Adam has also coached at a professional level with Guiseley AFC.
With our connections to the EFL, proven performances by players could result in progression to a higher level of football_
We are also delighted to now have ZHUB Egypt as our exclusive partners in Egypt & the whole of the Middle East. ZHUB will not only be our recruitment partner in these territories for development talent and summer camps, but are also planning to build a Wakefield AFC Academy in Cairo and are working with other agencies in Saudi and UAE to promote the club.
Our First Team Squad is the pinnacle of our youth development system and currently competes in Step 7 of the English Football Pyramid.
Wakefield has for many years been the largest city in the UK without it’s own Football Club, until now.
We are moving into a newly refurbished 10,000 seat stadium in Wakefield in 2021 and have ambitions to progress up the leagues thanks to the support of the City of Wakefield, it’s people and community
Our Development Squad is our stage of introduction to the full time game. Our development squad provides an intense introduction for athletes to full-time, high level training and games.
The majority of our players study either a BTEC or a HNC/FIND/BA in Sport at this level and our players train, study and play on a full time basis. This level is structured as if the players were part of a youth team at a professional club. Players in our Development Squad play league and cup fixtures.
Player Objective: To develop technique, understanding of the game, team work skills and discipline. Understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Develop strength of mentality and truly understand how to progress to the next stage and play first team level football for the Academy and from our first team, potentially progressing to professional status.
Eden Lodge is the home of the Academy in every sense. Our offices and accommodation are located at the spacious and homely Eden Lodge.
Eden Lodge has 18 Twin Bedrooms most with en-suite and some are studios with their own kitchens and en-suite facilities The
accommodation has a fit for purpose kitchen, heating throughout the building and a separate kitchen on floor two which has all the amenities you would expect.
We have a games room and boot cleaning room with sinks and laundry facilities for our players to use.
Eden Lodge has a large car park to the rear for guests, staff and our Academy transport vehicles.
We also have a barbecue area and relaxing area to one side of Eden Lodge for our players to enjoy, The growth of the Academy is likely to result in a number of students having the option of living in a more traditional student house in groups
One of our training facilities is the very impressive Dorothy Hyman Stadium.
Home to our Elite Football Programme and our Youth Development teams, the facility boasts a gym, indoor hall, a fantastic FA accredited 3G pitch alongside a full grass pitch.
Along with step 7 grade changing rooms, we also have excellent analysis rooms and meeting rooms. This is an impressive environment surrounded by countryside and trees to learn and develop as a footballer.
Millennium Stadium, Featherstone Rovers
Wakefield AFC have also recently agreed to train at and play all first team and reserve team games at Betfred Championship Club, Featherstone Rovers’ 7500 capacity stadium, moving the club back into it’s Wakefield roots.
Part of the philosophy of the Academy is our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young players.
We expect all staff, volunteers, parents/carers, young players, any partner agencies or any commissioned service providers to share this commitment.
The key aim of the Wakefield AFC Academy Safeguarding Policies are to:
Develop a positive and pro-active approach to safeguarding in order to best protect all children and young people who are registered with the Academy or engage in associated activities, enabling them to participate and achieve in an enjoyable and safe environment.
Demonstrate best practice in the area of safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people.
Sport and physical activity has long been used as a tool to improve mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Within our Academy, we actively promote a healthy lifestyle.
Our Academy athletes are encouraged to make the right decisions daily, in order to live a healthy lifestyle and ultimately maintain a healthy state of mind.
Our players have specialist support across all areas of health and wellbeing, to ensure they can operate at their maximum potential.
Award – BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport (Performance and Excellence) (QCF)
Content – Learning about different aspects of the Sports industry including: Sports development, Sports coaching, Psychology for Sports performance, Profiling sports performance, Principles of anatomy and physiology, The physiology of fitness, Practical team sport, Rules and regulations of different sports, Sports nutrition, Sport as a business, Assessing risk in sport, Sports injuries, Leadership in sport, Analysis of sports performance and preparing to coach a range of sports activities, Organising sports events.
Pathways and Progression – Level 5 study/H ND/Degree — University / Apprenticeship / Employment / A player in professional Sport / career in coaching, medical, S&C, journaJism or business management in a professional environment.
Award – HND in Sport
2 year course and students retain the option to exercise a third year which enables each
individual to continue to study level 6 — which uplifts their HND to degree level.
Progression: Further study to convert your HND to a honours degree Career opportunities: Professional football, Sports Development and coaching roles with professional clubs, National governing bodies. Management and supervisory roles in these organisations.
What players study is dependent on their current level of education, their age and individual circumstances.
Our players are expected to invest in their footballing knowledge and tactical understanding of the game.
It is mandatory for our players to equip themselves for a life in the game. As a result of players are expected to take part in all FA courses that we, as an Academy, feel will benefit them in the short and long term.
For us success is to provide each individual with inspiration and a platform for them to add value to their future.
Our Academy prospects can study any course on the FA list for 2020/2021 {conditions apply] which is tailored to the demands of their life in the Academy.