Cultural Shift

[JimmyConway]

Been listening to a debate on the Wireless about a report in The Daily Telegraph.

Young footballers now coming out of private schools where it was once Rugby's Bastion and Football frowned upon. Facilities apparently first class and the likes of Josh King Max Dowman & Lewis-Skelly all benefitting. To attract numbers to football being encouraged by private schools who are working closely with professional football clubs and some teams are having opening days just for private schools? Landscape seems like it's changing and no longer the working class game?

[FFC1987]

So...it's my understanding that this has been in part, happening for a while as its also a way of allowing clubs to open up catchment areas by enticing players from say London, to get into local private schools in different parts of the country so they're eligible for those local academies. It's happened a few times in my local area with the likes of Norwich doing it. Normal rules I believe, in most circumstances mean you can only join and train for an academy if your home is situated within 1 hour of the childs home address.

 

[Count Flapula]

Think there is probably an element of PL clubs also looking at ways of attracting the best young talent ahead of competing sides by offering a first class education as part of the package so do so by arranging partnerships with these private schools.

I'm sure this is a mutually beneficial arrangement with the schools receiving an annual fee from the clubs as part of the arrangement to hold a certain number of spots open to club academy scolars - the clubs effectively paying the school fees on behalf of the young players (and then some I imagine).

These kids will come from any background but will be given opportunities possibly not available to them under normal circumstances where school fees are prohibitive. If that is the case then I don't have any issues with it really.

[sunburywhite]

Josh King went to Hampton school but Fulham sends its young academy players to Coombe Boys' School.
Located in New Malden, the school sits just a stone's throw away from Fulham's Motspur Park training ground. The long-standing, award-winning educational partnership allows young players to balance intensive daily football training with their traditional academic curriculum (such as GCSEs and BTECs).
Several notable Fulham academy graduates and professional stars attended Coombe Boys' School as part of this program, including:
• Ryan Sessegnon
• Harvey Elliott
• Fabio Carvalho
• Steven Sessegnon