How to Apply for Leeds United Academy Scholarships

Leeds United FC. We shall study How To Apply for Leeds United Academy Scholarships. Also, study Leeds United Academy, Leeds United Stadium, Leeds United F.C reserves and youth team, Leeds United College, etc.

Leeds United Academy

Are you a young footballer? Do you feel you have the talent to make it in football? Then, I guess this is your chance to join Leeds United Academy. The focus of the Leeds Academy is to groom young prospective footballers to become professionals. In the course of this, the Academy still ensures that, they get the best coaching, health and nutritional treatment. Now, let’s see how to join Leeds United F.C Academy.

An Overview Of Leeds United Academy

Walton Road, Thorp Arch, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BA is the location of the Leeds United Academy. There, they offer the most outstanding form of development for the young players. The club employs the best person to carry out the educative aspect of the grooming. To do this, they apply the use of technical knowledge and coaches to produce the best in the players.

Due to the high level of a tussle to get the opportunity, the club takes their time to scrutinize individuals. It isn’t so easy to get into the Leeds United Academy. Currently, Academy phase 2 clubs have the privilege to sign players under 12 years. Unlike before, where their ability to do this was regulated. The FA saw the need to remove the regulation to give a sort of liberty to the aspiring players. All that the Leeds United Academy has done, is to provide a conducive environment for these players to feel at home. It improves their psychology to attain greatness.

Matches And Events at Leeds United Academy

There are a couple of activities facing the Leeds United Academy. They have matches to play and events to host. You can actually determine the time and venue for all these activities.

Requirements To Get A Leeds United Academy Trial

The basic requirement to get a trial is to possess the desirable talent of football. Also, to be always informed and available whenever the club’s scout comes around. Bear in mind that most times, you won’t notice their presence. So diligence is also of key importance rather than sending your football clips to the Leeds United academy’s mail. This is because most times the operators of the mailbox don’t go through all the videos and links.

Also, by enrolling in a soccer school run by the Leeds United FC. It is the most achievable way as the chance of getting a trial is high. More so, during your local club training, the club can send out scouts to observe young players. The scouts already have the qualities they wish to see. Once they discover it, they make contact with your coach or manager. After that, they send you an invitation to the club’s development centre for an interview. Most importantly, enrolling children on football schools helps to properly develop them. This way, when the players get to the pitch, it won’t be a big challenge.

What Can One Do Get Scouted By Leeds United Academy

Most times, the Leeds United Academy scout just shows up at your training centres and observes without your knowing. Then, you are ignorant of their presence, so you are not under pressure. So, it is important to always be at the right place, at the right time to get an opportunity. On the other hand, one can message the academy if they wish to be scouted. But, bear in mind that the chances are low due to the high volume of messages they get. However, there are some details the Academy expect from an aspiring player. They are:

  • Players CV
  • Covering Letter
  • Personal Player’s Statistics: Players position, Age, Date of Birth, Height, Weight, contact email/phone/address, current club, previous clubs, previous trials, any representative honours such as school, districts, county etc
  • Player’s academic school and status
  • Fixture list of your current team, including location and kick-off time to be passed to scout

At the readiness of these details, send an email to Leeds United Academy via this address: terry.potter@leedsunited.com

After reading the information, Leeds United Academy will now deliberate if they will assign a scout to you.

Training Programme At Leeds United Academy

The Leeds Academy employs the best and most effective training programme. The training schedule is made flexible to permit the players to explore other aspects of their life. Meanwhile, the training programme is in two sections; the technical section and the tactical section. Also, they still put Goalkeepers into consideration. Let’s see the different parts of the training at the Leeds United Academy:

  • There is the professional development part
  • Also, they have the youth development part
  • They have the foundation part
  • There is the youth / professional development part
  • Finally, the foundation development goalkeeper part

The Part Of Professional Development At Leeds United Academy

Technical Phase Of Outfield Players

  • Passing – Practicing how to make passes through tight spaces for forwards.
  • Trapping the ball – You are to learn how to trap the ball especially air ball passes. The drill is to do it with the least amount of touches.
  • Passing – Two touch passing is one of the drills.
  • Running / Dribbling – Here, you practice how to dribble while you are on the move. Also, you learn how to use the first touch of the ball to displace players.
  • Running / Dribbling with the ball – Here, we apply the one attacker one defender drilling. You need to learn to get past the defender.
  • Shooting – This practice helps to build your shooting accuracy. You will need to learn how to make movements to shoot, even under pressure.
  • Passing – Consistent passing without losing possession.
  • Skills with the ball – Performing skills with the ball to get past defenders.
  • Turning – Learning how to maintain ball possession while drifting away from a defender.
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Tactical Phase Of Outfield Players

  • Maintaining possession under pressure – Players should be able to open up, to receive passes to evade pressure.
  • Possession to attack – Rotating passes to attack the opponent.
  • Maintaining possession at uneven number – This is a game management scheme, where there is an extra man on the opposing team.
  • Counter attacking – Capitalizing on the opponent’s high press to attack them.
  • Central Attacking – This form involves making forward runs through the centre to receive a pass.
  • Staying wide while attacking – Playing wide, to disperse opponents and create attacking chances.
  • One-on-One defending – Obstructing the attacker from moving away with the ball.
  • Deep defending — Drawing deep in the defence line.
  • Defending through recovering possession – Once, there is a loose ball, you pile on the pressure collectively, to regain possession.

Goalkeepers

  • Assisting Goalkeepers – various forms of passes and assistance for players with the ball.
  • Goalkeeper support – Playing passes from the goal post, to penetrate the defence.
  • Influence of Goalkeeper – The way the goalkeeper can impact the game
  • Goalkeeper defending – The way the goalkeeper can save 1 in 1 situation.
  • The reaction of Goalkeeper – Able to stop early shots or any shot around the box
  • The reflex of Goalkeeper – Positioning and decision making in dealing with the cross
  • Goalkeeper communications – How well does the goalkeeper talk and direct the defenders.
  • Power of Goalkeeper command – Able to voice out to players away from the goal post.
  • Compact Goalkeeper – training the goalkeeper to stay compact

Other Forms Of Foundation Phase At Leeds United Academy

Technical Phase Of Outfield Players

  • Protecting the Ball – positioning well not to lose the ball.
  • Passing – able to give accurate, short, long and quick passes in a tight space.
  • Receiving the Ball- Always be ready to get a pass while attacking.
  • Turning – your body movement while turning shouldn’t be predictable
  • Shooting – Practicing long-distance shots to take the goalkeeper unaware.
  • Ball manipulation – drills and skills to affect how to manoeuvre defenders.
  • One time shot – Practicing one-time shots even under pressure.
  • Airball and ground pass – Creating a chance by long passing through the air or on the ground.
  • Skill moves – Learning skills and foot movement to evade pressure.

Tactical Phase Of Outfield Players

  • Perfecting Individual Possession – training to master the craft of maintaining possession.
  • Learn group possession – Grooming players on how to position to get the ball and pass in the group.
  • Steady possession – Maintaining the tempo of the passing, either fast or slow, but steady.
  • Individual Attacking – Being able to take on a defender alone.
  • Group Attacking – Shaping up to mount on pressure.
  • Opening the Attack – Reading the game, to know how to open an attack.
  • Eyes on the ball – Learning how to defend by displacing the ball.
  • Creating variety while defending – learning how to rotate roles when defending to retain possession.
  • Defending And Countering – Once you defend and regain possession, you pile on the pressure by counterattacking.

Overview Of Leeds United College

There are ways, young players with football talent can gain quality education while training for football. They can achieve this with the help of the Leeds United Development Scholarship program. Once you are within 16 to 18 years, you are eligible for this program.

The structure of match days aids in effect the essential qualities, your players should experience. Most are the tactical, technical and physical aspects. Having this experience will add to their development.

Planning Of Games  

The academy engages in some tournaments like the youth league. So, the players must prepare adequately to compete for the cup. Also, they are to compete with top-flight clubs in the Premier League. Asides from this, they also have the opportunity to engage in friendly matches as a preparation for bigger matches.

The Training Schedule

The club has made the training schedule in a way that is flexible enough. Players can attend training and still have time for their studies. In the Academy, the schedule covers the aspect of coaching and development of player ability. It is the duty of the coach and the technical staff to devise the best way to train the players. Also, effective performance, attitude, diligence and sound education are the qualities that predominant qualities.

Result of Performance

Remember, the club employs the use of advanced digital materials to operate. To this effect, the coaches can determine the result of each player’s performance. Also, with the use of the Coach Logic Platform, one can get the performance of the team generally.

Fitness Programme

For one to be a successful football player, one must be fit at all times. That is why the academy ensures that its players always carry out fitness programmes before the beginning of the season. With the quality gym instruments and instructors, the programme is always effective. Aside from the collective training, the fitness instructors guide the players on how to individually keep fit. There are specific drills for specific results. So, the guidelines will help you obtain the desired result.

Feeding Routine  

The club will provide a nutritionist and dietician, who will ensure the adequate and proper nutritional balance of players.

Technical Staff  

The club employs the best and most well-experienced workers, who are effective in carrying out their duties. Their aim is to produce the best qualities in the players. So, this way, the players compete in big competitions.  

The Educational Sector  

In the educational system of Leeds United, their Staff are in charge of ensuring that each player gets sound education. They employ their level of experience and knowledge to do this. However, there is a way the Academy structures the Scholarship programme. There is a two-year Level 3 qualification. Here, they study all about the main sporting courses. Examples are Anatomy, Physiology, Coaching, Psychology and Analysis. With this scheme, one can get a job in the club as a coach, physiotherapist, etc. One can still wish to further their education.

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Sections In Leeds United Academy  

Leeds Hub  

Sheffield Hub  

Nottingham Hub  

The Club’s Associates  

National Football Youth League  

Eastwood CFC  

Sheffield FC  

The Progress Route  

Football – There is a chance to play at the professional and semi-professional levels. Coaching – There are chances of getting a football and sports coaching job.  

Higher Education – progress to University with Leeds United College  

Sports Industry – There are possibilities of getting a job with numerous sports and leisure organisations. In this case, you don’t have a limit. It can be either in the public or private sector.  

Always feel free to place to the letter of application on the choice of the programme at our website or email: sportscollegeinfo@leedsunited.com  

Categories Of Leeds United F.C.

The sub-sections are the reserve and youth teams. And when it comes to the youth team, the highest form is the U-23s. They play in the top flight Professional Development League. Meanwhile, they engage in friendly and competitive matches in either Elland Road or Thorp Arch training complex. Some years back, due to some reforms and new introductions, there were replacements at the team levels. The U-23s took the place of U-16s and the U-16s took the position of the reserve team.

In that same year, FA did promote the club to Division 1. Mark Jackson is the current club’s academy manager. He has led the club in division matches and tournaments.

The Under 18 Team

This category is made up of young players not more than 18 years. Their major competitions are the U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup. Scott Gardner is the team’s current manager.

All credit goes to the Academy manager Adam Underwood. He was the spare-head to moving up into Category one rank. On the other hand, the U23s have won in most tournaments and cup competitions they are in. The PDL Cup is the most notable one.

The Football Ground Of Leeds Academy — The Stadium

This is a breakdown of how the club got the stadium. The stadium is below Beeston Hill. The owner then was Bentley Brewery. They know the land as Old Peacock Ground, it had an influence on the club’s nickname. The club wasn’t the first to occupy the land. It was Holbeck Rugby Club. Interestingly, the ground held its first match which was the West Yorkshire Cup Final in 1898. It was between Hunslet and Harrogate.

The club did a couple of construction at the site. Built stands and other facilities. During that period, it got the name Elland Road. However, the land was shared with the rugby club Holbeck RLFC. The Holbeck team had some challenges and couldn’t retain the land. So, they sold it off. As time went on, Leeds city was made and had access to obtain the Elland road through rent. Then, it cost about £75 annually. Meanwhile, the club had the option of buying the land but didn’t take it.

Lees city got some cash after their initial Football League season. They invested the money in putting seats in the west side stand. With this development, more spectators showed interest to watch matches. Also, it gave the club a good source of money, from a high number of spectators, and paying gate fees. Due to how the club wants the stadium to be, they set up a group to ensure this. The club bought more yards of land in February 1906. This is to expand the ground space to build more structures. Over 4,000 seats were added to the Grandstand. After that, Lord Mayor, Joseph Hepworth launched it in a match against Chelsea FC. The contractors did a couple of other works like the drainage, dressing room, garage, etc. This really cost a lot which made the club run into a financial crisis.

They gave the club an offer of £1,000 and an annual rental of £250 to make use of the ground. Before the beginning of a new season, the military made use of it as a preparatory ground. When the season began, Leeds city could only play 8 games before they had an allegation of illegal payment. This cost them their place in the Football League. Other bodies took advantage of the land to develop their structure. However, Leeds United got back the land from the Yorkshire Amateurs in 1920.

More Events From 1920

In the year 1920, they raised stands like the Scratching Shed, Lowfields and Spoon Kop. All these stands are placed strategically around the stadium. Also, some got their names as an effect of war. They didn’t touch the Elland road for over 20 years. However, more spectators kept visiting the stadium to watch matches. Some of the matches they witnessed were the ones against, Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Hunslet and so on. Within that period, the Leeds City stadium was a host for Rugby Football League Championship.

The club also introduced the concept of Floodlights and made use of it against Hibernian. Over 31,500 people came to watch the match which saw Leeds being victorious. Raich Carter and John Charles were notably the goalscorers.

Sadly, the club encountered another challenge as the West Stand caught fire. The damage was very colossal. Although the club had insurance coverage, it wasn’t enough to salvage the situation. The club made an estimate of the damages and took note of the safe structures. They had to result in public funding to erect another stand. Approximately, they were able to get £60,000 which they added to their own to erect the stand. The club added more seats to increase the seating capacity.

Another tragic event happened after two years of the first fire incident. However, it didn’t cause much damage, as the club’s secretary and other personnel were on sight to quench the fire.

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The club got its promotion into division 1 at the arrival of Don Revie as the manager. Subsequently, the club grew both in infrastructure and in football success. Winning trophies and ending in pleasant positions on the table. Elland Road even had the opportunity to host its first game viewed on TV. The club replaced the Spion Chip stand with another expensive stand called Gelderd End. It was really great innovation for the stadium.

As years went by, the scalability kept growing. Meanwhile, the club had to merge the West Stand and the kop. Then a new stand was built, to link Lowfields stand to Kop which cost a lot. Also, the club opened a sports and souvenir shop. Consequently, they removed the Scratching Shed and built the South Stand at a cost of £500,000.

The new stand came with a lot of fascinating materials that will provide comfort to the fans. The club had a plan to merge the new stand with the Lowfields. But, due to insufficient funds, they had to suspend it. So, they had to go with installing a taller floodlight and removing the old one. Most importantly, that floodlight holds the record as the tallest in Europe. A total of four floodlights stand at the Leeds United Stadium.

Leeds United Foundation

It has always been the desire of the Leeds United football club to assist the poor and disabled. Also, to impact their lives through the best means possible. As a result, the club made an establishment of the Leeds United Foundation. This establishment aims at carrying out the work of Charity. In the same vein, they create development strategies that will help people to achieve their purpose.

On the other hand, the club employs workers who have the zeal and passion to carry out the work of the charity. These workers implement those developmental strategies set by the club.

Implementation In Soccer Schools

The club foundation’s goal is to provide quality education for young ones between the age of 5 – 12 years old. Also, extracurricular activities like sports events and fun competitions are embedded to enhance this development. Routine health and safety checks will be run on the children to ensure that they are in the best learning condition.

Implementation Through Skill Centres

This aspect deals with, bringing out the best potential in the young ones. It is scheduled for 1 hour. Here, the coaches and trainers ensure that the young ones practise a couple of skills. Some of the skills are, attacking, defending, ball control, body movement, passing, etc. They also carry out a couple of other skill practices.

Implementation Through Disability Camps

The club in its ability saw the need to develop the young ones with a disability. To give them a purpose to survive. That is why the club created the Football4Me soccer camps. There, they experience a lot of grooming and training to enable them to know how to play football. Also, the camp contains experienced workers who assist these young disabled players to perform some activities. In addition, help to create a conducive and interactive environment for them.

Implementation On Women & Girls

Girls between the age of 7-14 years get the privilege to obtain good coaching experience from the Player Development Centres. It creates an environment, where girls can build their confidence in the game of football. Also, it provides them with essential educative materials to develop them too.

The programme doesn’t inhibit the females from playing for the local clubs. But, just serves as an assistant to improve the potential. Most importantly, if the ladies perform well and show true diligence, the club can retain them in the Leeds United Woman’s team.

Kindly Select any of the Academy below and Apply 

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