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  • Why choose the NPLFA?

    Introduction

    Why is the NPL Football Academy so unique?

    The bespoke football aspect of the programme is unique to any other football & education programme in the country and a concept no other can provide.

    We are the first dedicated football and education academy league linked to a major feeder league in the country, added to that it is the first football and education league to be sanctioned by the Football Association.

    The Northern Premier League Football Academy is only similar to programmes that are in operation at colleges, trusts, independently run or at a local hub centre in the sense of the educational national BTEC sports course being delivered, but that is where the similarities ends.

    The reason why this concept is vastly different and has caught the imagination of those involved in the professional and semi-professional game and one of the main differences with the NPL Football Academy, is that all the students will be representing their local non-league (semi-professional) football club in the academy league and national cups, in an organisation and management structure respected and known throughout football, the Northern Premier League (Evo-Stik League)

    The concept is also different in many other ways a few to mention are:-

    • All of our coaches have to be at UEFA A or B status (or on obtaining the position be working towards the award) we also have coaches working at our clubs that are currently working in professional club academies and are fomer and current professional and semi-professional players.
    • In relation to squad numbers, group size will only be of 16-22 students who will work together consistently through coaching and education and together represent the football club on and off the pitch for that year intake only. Therefore a team will not be picked from a large group or hub of students differently each week.
    • Also as a sanctioned league 85%-90% of games are played at the main stadiums of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League clubs, as opposed to college/park pitches. The Evo-Stik NPL also ensure officials are all of the required standard.
    • Our growing reputation has also ensured our enrichment days for students are linked to many renowned football venues such as St George’s Park home of the Football Association and Premier League Clubs.

     

  • Training/Games

    Training/Games

    How often do the students train?

    Students will train specifically three/four times a week usually in the afternoon after morning studies (each club timetable is different) and will be coached and managed by UEFA A & B qualified coaches who will develop the players technically during the programme through coaching and match play. There may be added training sessions with the coach subject to availability, also there may be opportunities to join in first team training sessions.

    How often do the students play?

    Students will play once a week, match days will be on Wednesday’s with the majority of games taking place in the afternoons however due to possible backlog of some fixtures due to weather etc there may be two games a week with some games possibly taking place in the evenings under floodlights to further enhance the students experience. A full live match day centre is in operation on the programmes social media sites on Wednesdays.

     

  • Competitions

    Competitions

    What competitions will the students play in?

    As well as the NPL Football Academy League title to play for, they will also have opportunities to compete in the national FA Youth Cup and local County competitions the club wish to enter.

     

  • Expectations

    Expectations

    What can a student expect on the football side?

    We will endeavour to ensure we work with students to provide an enrichment of football experiences throughout the year. From expert coaching through to the unique match day experience, we will treat the students with respect and look to provide a platform to allow them to receive the same football education programme as a professional football scholar would at a Football League/Premier League club and in return we will be requesting students to dedicate themselves to the programme.
    IMPORTANT:  In order to take part in the football programme students will be expected to be up to date in their education and have no outstanding assignments etc.

     

  • Pathways

    Pathways

    Where can a student progress to?

    By being a part of the Northern Premier League Football Academy and by already being involved in the club, students will have first chance opportunities to be able to progress into their clubs first team as a semi-professional footballer. First team coaching staff informed regularly of a students progression (often watching games) by the academy coach and inviting students to training sessions if progressing well.
    Every season there are also opportunities to play in the newly formed ‘Inter-League’ representative side where a nominated selected squad of players from all clubs in the league will compete against professional club academies in a series of games to showcase their talents.

     

  • Graduates

    Graduates

    Who are the success stories?

    When a student make his semi-professional first team debut they are classed as a footballing graduate. Since 2014 we have had a large number of debutants make their bow with several others receiving call ups. In February 2015, we were proud to announce our first ever professional graduate when Yohan Rutty-Smith signed scholarship forms for Notts County.

    The majority of these students have come from local junior football to semi-professional level in the space of a year which is down to the opportunities provided to them in the NPL Football Academy and also the standard of quality coaching they are receiving on a daily basis.

    Professional Graduates

    A professional graduate is a student who transfers to a professional football league club.
    #STUDENTAGENPLFA CLUBMOVED TODATEPROFILE
    #1Yohan Rutty-Smith16RomulusNotts CountyFebruary 2015PROFILE
    #2Max Hunt16Matlock TownMansfield TownJuly 2016PROFILE
    #3Max Hunt18Matlock TownDerby CountyJanuary 2018PROFILE

     

    First Team Graduates

    A first team graduate is a student who makes his semi-professional first team debut in a competitive game.
    #AGESTUDENTCLUBOPPONENTCOMPETITIONDATE
    #116Yohan Rutty-SmithRomulusvs Sutton Coldfield TownLeague Cup 1st RoundTuesday 11th November 2014
    #216Dylan ShilcockLeek Townvs SheffieldEvo-Stik NPL First Division SouthTuesday 24th March 2015
    #316Ben OldroydRadcliffe Boroughvs DroylsdenEvo-Stik NPL First Division NorthSaturday 25th April 2015
    #417Adam HenshallRadcliffe Boroughvs DroylsdenEvo-Stik NPL First Division NorthSaturday 25th April 2015
    #516Scott TaylorBelper Townvs Rugby TownEvo-Stik NPL First Division SouthSaturday 22nd August 2015
    #616Lewis BelgraveMickleover Sportsvs DarlingtonEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 10th October 2015
    #717Lewis BrownMatlock Townvs StamfordEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 27th February 2016
    #817Adam LeachRadcliffe Boroughvs Prescot CablesEvo-Stik NPL Division One NorthSaturday 26th March 2016
    #918Sam DanielsRadcliffe Boroughvs DroylsdenEvo-Stik NPL Division One NorthMonday 28th March 2016
    #1018Kieran CroninMickleover Sportsvs Nantwich TownEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 2nd April 2016
    #1117Jack TolleyMickleover Sportsvs Skelmersdale UnitedEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 16th April 2016
    #1217Tyron BuxtonMickleover Sportsvs StamfordEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 23rd April 2016
    #1316Reece MakeleleRadcliffe Boroughvs Farsley CelticFA Trophy Preliminary RoundSaturday 8th October 2016
    #1417Ben EdgsonMatlock Townvs Halesowen TownEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionTuesday 18th October 2016
    #1517Jordan PierrepontMatlock Townvs Bedworth UnitedIntegro League Cup 1st RoundTuesday 15th November 2016
    #1617Jordan LeeMatlock Townvs Bedworth UnitedIntegro League Cup 1st RoundTuesday 15th November 2016
    #1716Jake DickinsonMickleover Sportsvs Belper TownIntegro League Cup 1st RoundTuesday 15th November 2016
    #1818Jordan GilhoolyMickleover Sportsvs Borrowash VictoriaDerbyshire Senior Cup 3rd RoundTuesday 6th December 2016
    #1916Harry WoodMatlock Townvs Basford UnitedIntegro League Cup 2nd RoundTuesday 24th January 2017
    #2018Euan WoodsWarrington Townvs Tranmere RoversCheshire Senior Cup 1st RoundTuesday 24th January 2017
    #2117Billy SilvesterKidsgrove Athleticvs Carlton TownEvo-Stik Division One SouthSaturday 4th February 2017
    #2217Morgan WilliamsMickleover Sportsvs Frickley AthleticEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 22nd April 2017
    #2318Jorge BlemingsSutton Coldfield Townvs Stafford RangersIntegro League Cup 1st RoundTuesday 17th October 2017
    #2416Josh MorrisSutton Coldfield Townvs Coleshill TownBirmingham Senior Cup 1st RoundMonday 23rd October 2017
    #2519Josh BullockBelper Townvs Loughborough DynamoEvo-Stik Division One SouthSaturday 18th November 2017
    #2618Tyreece RobinsonMickleover Sportsvs Bedworth UnitedIntegro League Cup 2nd RoundTuesday 28th November 2017
    #2718Max HuntMatlock Townvs Lancaster CityEvo-Stik NPL Premier DivisionSaturday 2nd December 2017
    #2819Aron McGrathWarrington Townvs Winsford UnitedCheshire Senior Cup 1st RoundTuesday 27th February 2018
    #2916Ben HarleyOssett Albionvs Hyde UnitedEvo-Stik Division One NorthTuesday 13th March 2018
    #3018Jack WalshMickleover Sportsvs Sutton Coldfield TownEvo-Stik Premier DivisionSaturday 17th March 2018
    #3119Tom HutchinsonCarlton Townvs Frickley AthleticEvo-Stik Division One SouthMonday 16th April 2018
    #3217Jessy BavangangaLeek Townvs Newcastle TownEvo-Stik Division One SouthMonday 16th April 2018
    #3316Joe SheekeyCarlton Townvs GresleyEvo-Stik Division One SouthThursday 19th April 2018
    #3416Josh HarrisCarlton Townvs GresleyEvo-Stik Division One SouthThursday 19th April 2018
    #3517Billy WhiteheadMatlock Townvs WorkingtonEvo-Stik Premier DivisionSaturday 21st April 2018
    #3617Thomas SpiceCarlton Townvs GresleyEvo-Stik Division One SouthWednesday 25th April 2018

     

    First Team Call Up

    A first team call up is someone who is included in the first team match day squad in a competitive game.
    #AGESTUDENTCLUBOPPONENTCOMPETITIONDATE
    #117Murtaza HaidaryMickleover Sportsvs Matlock TownEvo-Stik Premier DivisionTuesday 16th February 2016
    #217Beckham AdelajeMossleyvs ScarboroughEvo-Stik Division One NorthTuesday 19th April 2016
    #316Dylan MandaracasSutton Coldfield Townvs Grantham TownEvo-Stik Premier DivisionMonday 29th August 2016
    #418Michael HeretyRadcliffe Boroughvs West Didsbury & ChorltonManchester Premier Cup 1st RoundTuesday 27th September 2016
    #517Joel FletcherRadcliffe Boroughvs West Didsbury & ChorltonManchester Premier Cup 1st RoundTuesday 27th September 2016
    #616Alfie Smith-EcclesMatlock Townvs Alfreton TownDerbyshire Senior Cup Semi-FinalTuesday 7th February 2017
    #718Sam WestonBelper Townvs Basford UnitedEvo-Stik Division One SouthSaturday 12th August 2017
    #816Ethan KnowlesMatlock Townvs Carlton TownIntegro League Cup 1st RoundWednesday 18th October 2017
    #917Jake SmithMickleover Sportsvs BuxtonDerbyshire Senior Cup Quarter-FinalTuesday 30th January 2018
    #1017Max BennettMickleover Sportsvs Whitby TownEvo-Stik Premier DivisionTuesday 27th March 2018

     

  • Inter-League Squad

    Inter-League squad

    What is the inter-league squad?

    There are opportunities to be selected for the NPL Football Academy Inter-League side who compete against professional football club academies.

    Selection for the squad is reward for those students who have impressed all season with their ability, application and attitude and are given the opportunity to showcase their talents against the professional clubs.

    DATEOPPOSITIONSCORESCORERSREPORT
    Wednesday 4th May 2016Oldham Athletic2-0Euan Woods (p), Josh BullockCLICK HERE
    Thursday 19th May 2016Accrington Stanley0-4CLICK HERE
    Monday 10th April 2017Port Vale2-3Adam Leach, Tyreece RobinsonCLICK HERE
    Tuesday 24th April 2018Wigan Athletic1-6Bobbie McdonnellCLICK HERE

     

  • Honours

    Honours

    Who has claimed the accolades?

    All the stats and honours in the NPL Football Academy’s history.

    SEASONCHAMPIONSRUNNER UPCUP WINNERCUP RUNNER UPGOLDEN BOOTREVIEW
    2014-15Mickleover SportsRomulusN/AN/A22 - Craig Bagshaw (Mickleover Sports) REVIEW
    2015-16Mickleover SportsBelper TownN/AN/A27 - Euan Woods (Warrington Town)REVIEW
    2016-17Mickleover SportsMatlock TownWarrington TownMatlock Town26 - Euan Woods (Warrington Town)REVIEW
    2017-18Warrington TownMatlock TownMatlock TownMickleover Sports22 - Bobbie Mcdonnell (Warrington Town)

     

Introduction

Why is the NPL Football Academy so unique?

The bespoke football aspect of the programme is unique to any other football & education programme in the country and a concept no other can provide.

We are the first dedicated football and education academy league linked to a major feeder league in the country, added to that it is the first football and education league to be sanctioned by the Football Association.

The Northern Premier League Football Academy is only similar to programmes that are in operation at colleges, trusts, independently run or at a local hub centre in the sense of the educational national BTEC sports course being delivered, but that is where the similarities ends.

The reason why this concept is vastly different and has caught the imagination of those involved in the professional and semi-professional game and one of the main differences with the NPL Football Academy, is that all the students will be representing their local non-league (semi-professional) football club in the academy league and national cups, in an organisation and management structure respected and known throughout football, the Northern Premier League (Evo-Stik League)

The concept is also different in many other ways a few to mention are:-

  • All of our coaches have to be at UEFA A or B status (or on obtaining the position be working towards the award) we also have coaches working at our clubs that are currently working in professional club academies and are fomer and current professional and semi-professional players.
  • In relation to squad numbers, group size will only be of 16-22 students who will work together consistently through coaching and education and together represent the football club on and off the pitch for that year intake only. Therefore a team will not be picked from a large group or hub of students differently each week.
  • Also as a sanctioned league 85%-90% of games are played at the main stadiums of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League clubs, as opposed to college/park pitches. The Evo-Stik NPL also ensure officials are all of the required standard.
  • Our growing reputation has also ensured our enrichment days for students are linked to many renowned football venues such as St George’s Park home of the Football Association and Premier League Clubs.