The academy day starts early: school bags stacked by the touchline, bibs counted, cones laid out in the morning light.
Coaches work in small groups so every child gets touches, corrections and encouragement. Progress is tracked simply — attendance, effort and understanding of the game.
The story so far
Parents describe the pathway as a community as much as a ladder: lifts shared, meals cooked, younger siblings drawn into the same orbit.
Whether or not a child reaches the first team, the habits learned here — punctuality, teamwork, resilience — travel with them into every part of life.