Private football coaching organizations claiming to be academies in Wales are misleading parents looking for elite coaching for their children, according to the Football Association of Wales (FAW). The governing body said it was growing concerned about the number of non-accredited training organizations using the ‘academy’ label without having the relevant accreditation or governance to back it up. The issue arose following claims by Wales’ former football star Natasha Harding (now Allen Wyatt) that she took money from children’s coaching that was not delivered by her Tash Harding Academy. Ms Wyatt confirmed that she did have to cancel “some sessions” due to circumstances beyond her control and apologized to the customers affected.
According to Drew Sherman, head of FAW National Academi, official academies are a good environment for any child, with FAW-qualified staff who have had a background check and are first aid qualified. There is, however, a growing concern about the blurring of lines between training programs for the most talented young players aiming to become professional football players and those offering a more inclusive, fun environment. The FAW acknowledged there was a place for both and emphasized the importance of parents being aware of the difference when signing up their children.
Licensed football academies in Wales offer a pathway for the most talented youngsters to develop their skills with a view to becoming professionals. The FAW established the National Academi for registered and affiliated academies in Wales that are categorized as A, B, or C. Only such organizations can call themselves academies, and anyone using the FAW logo or branding to advertise a private setup will be asked to remove it. There are up to 3,000 children playing across 18 FAW-accredited academies, with 14 of them having the full 10 age groups.
Paul Kirton, founder and managing director of Team Grassroots, which represents the amateur game expressed concerns about the proliferation of so-called academies across England and Wales. He said that the word academy should only be used by coaches who have an A, B, or C ranking from the FAW. The FAW urged parents, carers, and football clubs to undertake safeguarding and business assurances when engaging with third-party providers who are not affiliated with a national governing body. Safeguarding guidance is available online.
Academies in Wales receive funding from UEFA and charge parents, unlike academies in England that are free. The cost in Wales is about £1.50 to £2 per session over 40-plus weeks of training per year. Mr. Ward attributes this to better funding for Football League clubs in England, whereas in Wales, they fundraise to offset some of the costs. In the girls’ game, the FAW runs academies in north and south Wales for promising players aged 11-17. There are also opportunities to access extra training through the FAW’s development center, a bespoke program of competitive fixtures for girls against boys
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