The Football Parent

Being an academy football parent is unlike any other parenting journey. When your child joins a Category 1 football academy, football quickly becomes more than a weekend hobby—it becomes part of your family's everyday life. From early morning training sessions and long motorway journeys to balancing school, work and family life, parents become the unsung heroes behind every young player's development. While everyone sees the matches on a Saturday, very few see the sacrifices

For many young footballers, joining an academy is a dream come true. Wearing the badge of a professional club, training with talented players and working with experienced coaches can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, what many families quickly discover is that academy football is about far more than simply attending training sessions and playing matches. The academy player lifestyle requires commitment, organisation, discipline and balance. Players are expecte