Introduction

This page outlines both the aims and mission of the club and how it has been formed to directly support the Aldershot Town Youth Organisation. It also covers the element of how this will be achieved and the standards that we will aim to strive for. Sections include: Club EthosHome Ground Match Day and Training FacilitiesClub Coaches and Coaching StructureAge Group and Squad StructureCommunicationsPlayer Fees Elite Centre KitPlayer and Parent Commitment

This should be read in conjunction with both the Club Welfare Manual and Elite Centre Rules available on the club website.

Club Ethos

Elite Centre Rationale Players develop at different rates, and the COE system tends to favour the early developers. There can be more than 16 players with good potential in our region. Work with players before they can sign for the COE (U7,U8).

Produce players for the first team

Your son if signed will be playing for a professional club, this means that it’s the club’s duty to provide the best coaching and environment to develop your child as quickly and professionally as possible.

They will receive the best coaching and in turn the club saves money on home grown players for the first team. Success for the Centre of Excellence would be to produce players for the first team; success for the Elite centre is measured by the amount of quality players we produce for Centre of Excellence.

Development over results

Development is best achieved in a relaxed environment that allows players to express themselves, it’s still important to have a winning mentality but not at the cost of learning or development. This is achieved through: A development games programme. First class facilities. Set framework and oversight The opportunity to train and play with/against COE. Opportunity to get in first team through COE. Qualified coaches. Size of the youth department – compact enough that the Head of Youth can see all the playersTraining time

We are the only club in the region to offer all of these things. No other professional club can match our quality and commitment to an Elite Centre.

One Club

Your son is part of Aldershot Town Football Club; we work together as one club to create the best environment for all its players, supporters and coaches.

Home ground facilities

We train and play home matches at Ash Manor and Surrey Sports Park.
Ash Manor is a £600,000 3G sports development pitch with changing room facilities. The major FA`s have agreed that 3G is the way forward.

Surrey Sports Park is a £22 million sports facility and is also home for Aldershot Town’s COE. We are delighted that this has now been made available to our Elite Centre, this will provide continuity of movement for our boys. We also have the use of mini, youth, and full size quality grass pitches plus the changing rooms and the quality refreshment areas.

All boys will train on the 3G. The facility is booked and schedules are outlined on the club website.

Minimum requirements for coaches and coaching Philosophy

Requirements All lead coaches have completed or are working towards the FA level two award in coaching football. All assistant coaches have a minimum of FA level one award in coaching football.

Coaching Philosophy

All coaches are committed to the club ethos and support and facilitate player movement both up and down without prejudice. All Coaches and are committed to development in terms of technique and be prepared to combine this with a winning mentality. Coaches and co-ordinators over everything, put development first.

Our Club set up is one club, one goal.

Season 2010-11 Youth Organisation Achievements 6 professional contractsU9-U16 COE programme for the first time with registrations protected. Elite Centre established. 21 players ex-EC players signed, 25 train regularly with COE.

Club and coaching structure

Graham Baker (Head of youth)

The football ethos and direction has been set as: Develop players to play in our first teamDevelop players to sell to other clubsDevelop people that can be successful in the wider world

Players develop at different rates, and the COE system tends to favour the early developers. The Elite Centre brings additional depth into the Youth organisation:
There can be more than 16 players with good potential in our region. Work with players before they can sign for the COE (U7,U8).

The Committee (Dan Low, Steve Clout, Peter Smith)

Communicate with the parents, coaches, and club. Vote on positive changes to the club and specifically the Elite centre. Receives direction from Graham Baker on coaching program and communicates down to coaches. Deal with leagues arrange development match programme, facilities, and general running of the Elite centre. Reports and communicates to the senior club board and Graham Baker.

Lead Coach

The Lead Coach ensures the clubs direction and that the coaching program is implemented as clearly as possible. They aim to build a team of players that is competitive and plays at the correct level. He will be a teacher of football to their squad and to encourage movement up or down depending on what the child needs to develop. Development over results is key and coaches will hold regular and constructive reviews with parents and players on how to improve and set individual player targets.

Assistant Coach

Supports the head coach in all of the above, organising friendly and weekend games, communicates with parents and assists with coaching.

Age group squad structure:

Centre of Excellence
Contracted players to Aldershot Town FC Youth organisation.

Elite Centre

All players are duel signed, closest to COE and constantly reviewed for COE. All players will receive regular verbal and written reviews with feedback on where improvements are needed and targets set. Elite Squads play development games against other Centre of Excellence and Elite teams throughout the country. The seasons games are available on the website.

U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15
 
Player Fees U10 - U15

Fees for the U10 - U15 players work out at £12.50 per player per week. We are looking to produce a top level football environment for our boys with quality kit, training and playing facilities and whilst the coaches give their time for free the facilities are hired at a significant cost.

Players that join at the beginning of the season will initially pay £220, followed by seven monthly payments of £40. The table below outlines this payment schedule and the payment schedule if a player joins part way through the season:

Click on the arrow for more options.

Kit provider

LEGEA UK Ltd

On joining you will need to purchase a player pack, details will be given to you at the time of joining.

Player and Parent Commitment

Because it is our mission to educate players for our Centre of Excellence department and intern the First Team, Aldershot Town FC (Elite Centre) take the commitment of a player to the club to be as important as their capabilities on the pitch, because of this we do not allow players to represent different clubs at such time that effects ether ATFC training or match days.

It is essential that all players have full knowledge and fully support the clubs Ethos.