Academy
INTRODUCTION TO THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The Programme is a collaboration between Fairwater High School, Cwmbran and Cwmbran Celtic Football Club. It is a two or three year programme aimed at young players who have aspirations to play at the top end of non league football but who also appreciate the value of their academic studies.
The programme is full time and offers participants the opportunity to receive coaching most days and also continue their studies within the normal school curriculum at Fairwater High School.
Students will get the opportunity to gain recognised academic qualifications whilst also receiving professional coaching from highly qualified and experienced staff.
Throughout the programme, participants can expect to play at the highest level of Youth Football available in Wales and progress into the Cwmbran Celtic senior teams if they prove to be competent footballers.
They will have the opportunity to gain a BTEC Sports Diploma and CSLA Coaching award together with their Football Association of Wales (FAW) Coaching Badges. However, the whole school curriculum is open to students and they can opt to study for any qualification they desire within that, including A levels.
The programme is designed to allow for at least 10 hours of football coaching per week, which will be delivered at either the football club’s ground at Celtic Park, Cwmbran or at Cwmbran Stadium.
The academic programme will be delivered at Fairwater High School, Cwmbran. Transport to and from the school will be arranged for students where necessary and if available. Transport will be available for candidates on match days. Lunch is to be provided by the students, although there are facilities available to buy food within the school.
Students will be expected to attend for pre-season training during July/August for 3 days per week and may also be required to train in normal school holidays if the situation demands.
OVERVIEW OF CWMBRAN CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB AND ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT FAIRWATER HIGH SCHOOL
Cwmbran Celtic is the oldest football club still in existence in Torfaen. It can trace its roots back to season 1924/5, when the club first fielded a competitive team. It has operated in a few different guises since then with occasional breaks but the current set-up can be traced back to the early 1960’s, when it was resurrected in the name of Cwmbran Catholics. It continued to be known by that name until the early 1970’s when it no longer had any religious connections and changed its name back to its original one of Cwmbran Celtic, by which it has been known ever since.
Cwmbran Celtic is a Community Football Club and is registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club with HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs)
The first team is currently playing in the First Division of the MacWhirter Welsh Football League and also has senior teams playing in the Reserve Division of that League and in the Newport & District League.
It is an ambitious club and is continually aiming to improve the playing, coaching and social facilities it offers to all its players. Its eventual aim is to play at the highest level of Welsh Football.
The junior section of the club operates teams at all levels from the age of under 8 upwards, together with 3 all girls teams. We are actively engaged in coaching in some local schools and hold Soccer Schools that are open to everyone in most school holidays.
At the beginning of season 2007/8, the club joined forces with Fairwater High School in Cwmbran to provide a professionally tailored football-coaching programme linked to flexible education. The school has been involved in this unique provision in the area since 2001 and many of its former students have gone on to play football at a semi professional level and almost all have left with academic qualifications that they probably would not otherwise have achieved. Indeed, over 40 pupils have achieved success at “A” level and gone on to a University Education.
The students play competitive games within the schools system and also in the football club’s name at under 18 level in the Gwent F.A. Youth League and in the MacWhirter Welsh Youth League at under 19 level. They will also compete each year in the Football Association of Wales’ Welsh Youth Cup.
In addition, friendly games are arranged against academies of Premiership and Football League Clubs (in season 2007/8 the under 19 side travelled to play a game against the prestigious West Ham United academy and came away with a famous 2-1 victory). The most talented players will also be given every opportunity to challenge for a place in the club’s senior teams.
The students’ footballing talents will, therefore, be showcased at a number of levels and they will have ample opportunity to impress any scouts that may be watching them.
However, our interest in the students goes beyond the confines of sporting performance. We encourage them to participate in lifestyle and fitness programmes at the School, as it’s important to us that they also have the opportunity to participate in sport just for the fun of it.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
The Academic programme is delivered by Fairwater High School and will consist of one of the following two pathways: -
The first is to take A level subjects with a view to progressing to University.
The second is to undertake a vocational course (BTEC Sports Diploma) dependent on grades achieved at GCSE. In addition to this, students will study the Welsh Baccalaureate and have an opportunity to complete a CSLA course in Coaching alongside the Football Association of Wales Coaching Badges
However, as stated previously, the whole of the school curriculum is open to students participating in the Football Development Programme and whatever choices students make in this respect will be incorporated into the Football Coaching Programme as expeditiously as possible.
FOOTBALL PROGRAMME
Players will receive at least 10 hours of professional coaching each week.
Head of Football Development, Della Cheedy, will oversee the football programme alongside his Coaching Assistants, Kevin Griffiths and John Powell.
Training will include working on techniques and skills to develop the individual player and also work on tactics, shape and set pieces for the team. Each individual will also receive their own technical programme to work to through a series of specific functional practices.
It will also include fitness testing, resistance work, aerobic and anaerobic exercise as well as personal conditioning. Training may also involve from time to time using other facilities at the School or Cwmbran Stadium, including the swimming pool, athletics track and gymnasium.
Home matches will be played at the ground of Cwmbran Celtic Football Club.
THE FUTURE
At the end of the Football Development Programme there are many options open to graduates.
For those who have taken A level subjects, there will, hopefully, be the opportunity to progress to a University education of their choice and, thereafter, employment in their chosen field. Alternatively, they can move straight into the world of employment with a good educational background to offer prospective employers.
For the students who have opted for the vocational course, if they have applied themselves well, they will leave the Programme with a BTEC Sports Diploma and a CSLA, which is the equivalent of 8 GCSEs in grades A-C.
With this, students will be able to seek employment in the Leisure Industry in such establishments as Leisure Centres and Private Health Clubs. They will also have the opportunity to find coaching employment with County FA’s, Local Authorities, Universities, Sports Colleges and private companies. With their qualifications to help them, other employment opportunities will, hopefully, be available to students graduating from the Programme.
We are currently investigating forming a relationship with a College in the United States, which will provide the opportunity of a Scholarship to study further in that country.
Whilst there is no way of guaranteeing this, there is also the possibility that players may get the opportunity of advancing their football career with a professional or semi-professional football club. Where a student has the talent and desire, combined with the correct attitude and application, we will do everything possible to secure trials with clubs at the appropriate level or invite scouts to monitor his performances and progress.
We can honestly say that, whilst we offer excellent coaching standards aimed at developing players, we also have the candidates’ educational welfare at the centre of our thoughts.
THE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
The Football Development Programme at Fairwater High School is delivered through the Football Development Department, which was established in 2001. The staff within the department have a vast amount of experience in youth football development and they all hold FAW Coaching Certificates.
Delvyn “Della” Cheedy
Head of Football Development at the Academy and First Team Coach at Cwmbran Celtic FC
Della was an apprentice at Cardiff City and has played at the highest level with Cardiff City, Exeter City and Cwmbran Town. Della is a highly experienced coach who is well respected in Welsh Coaching circles.
He is one of only 5 coaches in Wales who holds a FAW “A” Coaching Licence.
Kevin Griffths
Goalkeeping Coach and Manager of the Under 19 team
Kevin has a wealth of experience as a goalkeeping coach and has developed a number of young goalkeepers in his time at the school.
He has held a FAW “B” Coaching Licence for 3 years.
John “Jiffa” Powell
Part/Time Football Education Co-ordinator
John has also played at the highest level of Welsh Football with Cwmbran Town
He has held a FAW “B” Coaching Licence for 4 years.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can Fairwater High School offer me a good standard of education?
The school’s performance over recent years has improved considerably and our sixth form results are better than or equal to the other Secondary Schools in the area. If you have any doubts in this regard, please arrange a visit to the school (with your parents/guardians if required) and discuss any reservations you may have with our Head of Sixth Form, Mr Mark Crozier and the Head of Football Development, Mr Della Cheedy.
We can also demonstrate a history of high academic achievement over the years that the Programme has been running and many students who have come to us with no qualifications at age 16 have left with the equivalent of several GCSEs or better. We also believe that the discipline instilled in students through football coaching and playing has better equipped them for the outside world and the job market, when they leave us.
Are there specific entry requirements in order to be accepted on to the Programme?
You would need to be successful in the football trials and also agree to a programme of education at Fairwater High School.
Can I study at another school or college and still enrol on the Football Development Programme?
Candidates must enrol on a course of study with Fairwater High School but they can select options at other schools that are in collaboration with the Programme.
Is there spare time for homework and rest?
We know the importance of rest. As an educational institution we also respect the need to study and allow time for homework. Adequate time will be given throughout the week for both homework and rest and the timetable will be flexible to allow for extra support where necessary or requested.
Is specialist Goalkeeper coaching provided?
Yes. We have our own goalkeeping coach on the Programme who will implement a goalkeeper specific programme.
Whilst participating in the Programme, can I play for another team other than Cwmbran Celtic?
Only in special circumstances which have to be agreed with the Head of Football Development. There are several reasons for this, the main one being that overplaying can cause injuries or even burnout and by limiting playing to our partner club, we can control the amount of games students participate in. Candidates will be training most days and playing at least once most weeks, which is more than enough exercise.
In addition, Cwmbran Celtic has a right to expect a return on its investment in the Programme and having access to the players enrolled on the Programme is part of this.
Do I have to continue playing for Cwmbran Celtic when I finish the Programme?
No – although we would like to think that by that time players would have developed an allegiance to the Club and appreciate the advantages of continuing to play for it.
When are the trials?
The trials for entry into the Programme at the start of the school year 2012/13 will be held in May 2012 on a date to be announced later. Application forms need to be returned by the 15th March 2012.
If I apply now does that commit me to the Programme?
No. You can still decide not to enrol on the Programme even after the trials.
When will I know if I have a place on the Programme?
We would hope to let all candidates know within 7 days of the trial.
When does the Programme Start?
Pre —Season training will start in July 2012. The academic programme will start in September 2012.
How do I apply?
To apply for a trial, obtain an application form from the school (tel no 01633 643954) and return it to the address below before 15th March 2012.
The Football Development Department
Fairwater High School
Ty Gwyn Road
Fairwater
CWMBRAN
NP44 4YZ
