Academy
(Under 8s – Under 16s)

The Eastleigh FC Academy offer aspiring footballers the opportunity to develop and showcase their talents against professional football clubs and development centres.



About The Academy


What We Do


Eastleigh FC Academy offers professional coaching to players from Under 8 through to Under 16. Our aim is to recruit local talented individuals and help every player to fulfill their potential through our structured training syllabus. We operate outside of the constraints that arise when players sign for a football league club therefore all of our players receive professional academy level training once a week but can still participate in weekend football.

The Academy aims not only to develop player's football but create well rounded individuals off the field of play. The Eastleigh FC Academy is a direct link to the 1st Team who currently compete in the Motorama National League, one tier below the football league.


Image

Opportunites/Pathways


We offer aspiring footballers the opportunity to showcase their talents against professional football clubs and development centres. The Academy has access to a number of fantastic training/match day facilities to ensure that all players enjoy their time as part of the academy. We strive to give all our players more opportunities and greater experiences designed to help them progress on and off the pitch for the future.

The Academy section also have fantastic links and relationships with professional clubs higher in the pyramid to help aid the progression of the players if needed. A number of players have progressed to Southampton FC, AFC Bournemouth, Portsmouth FC, Reading FC, Bristol City, Swindon Town and more in order to continue their footballing pathway. Check out our 'Success Stories' page below to see some of the players we've helped progess into professional clubs...


Success Stories

Eastleigh and Grassroots


As mentioned, the Eastleigh Academy works outside the constraints of the football league meaning players are able to continue to play for their grassroots teams on the weekend. We don't just 'allow' this, we actively encourage players to play/continue playing for their grassroots sides as it is an integral part of any player’s development.



+
0
Youth Players
+
0
Professional Contracts
+
0
Made First Team Appearance


ETHOS


Our coaches follow a comprehensive syllabus designed to encourage young players to develop their technique, skill, creativity and game understanding across the board in a positive learning environment.

We coach through game related practices and small sided games, which we believe allows for repetition of pictures that they will see in the game. This repetition helps to build skill development and game understanding, which is relevant and realistic to the young player’s game.

All players will receive informative reviews across the season which we see as invaluable for the players. These reviews allow the coaches to give feedback to the players to help aid future development.


November Review

(1)

March Review

(2)

May Review

(3)


“Tayo enjoyed his time with Eastleigh academy and had been with them since Under 9s. In this time he was provided with excellent coaching and lots of fixtures against high level opposition. This played a part in his development, enabling him to progress to the next level with his football.”

Parent of Tayo – Portsmouth FC



GOALKEEPERS


At Eastleigh Academy, we provide specialist goalkeeper training sessions across all age groups (U8s-U16s). These are separate to outfield training sessions and are designed specifically for goalkeepers to develop and further their skills. Our goalkeeper coaches follow a structured syllabus that encompasses all areas of what the modern goalkeeper will require such as: footwork and handling, distribution/playing out from the back, dealing with high balls and crosses.

As with all our age groups, sessions are lead by highly experienced and qualified coaches; Jamie Wiseman and current first team goalkeeper Ross Flitney oversee and deliver all goalkeeper training from U8s and upward.


Testimonials


Don't just hear it from us though, see what others have had to say (both current and previous players) that have been with us...


My son Zach joined Eastleigh Academy this year. We are so impressed wth the progress he has made in such a short time. This is down to the positive, fun coaching staff who give the children the opportunity to develop their skills, take risks an drive their passion. The competitive games are well organised in excellent venues.

Parent of Zach (U8)

Frankie has been part of the academy system at Eastleigh FC for seven enjoyable and successful seasons. The coaching that has been provided by Luke and the coaching team is excellent, highly recommended and appreciated by the players and the parents. It's an environment where good players are brought together and given every opportunity to thrive by coaches that create a positive environment and offer the encouragement and support needed.

Parent of Frankie (U15)

The Eastleigh Academy Pathway

At Eastleigh FC, we are able to offer a clear pathway for talented footballers to progress and be nurtured through the clubs youth system all the way from U8s to U19s. Unique to other football programmes/centres, we provide a DIRECT link/pathway to the clubs first team, evident in our recent success of players going on to make first team appearances for the club. See for yourself...


Image

Our Academy age groups begin at Under 8s (7-8 year olds) and progress under the guidance of our elite team of coaches through to Under 15s. During this time, players train one evening a week (additional Futsal/Player Tech session also available which is optional for players to attend) and compete in a selection of fixtures against professional clubs and development centres throughout the course of the season. Fixtures are held primarily during school holidays and half terms with the occasional midweek evening so as not to clash with any grassroots matches taking place on weekends.


Image

The U8s-U15s lead into our Under 16s squad who train twice a week and compete in fixtures on a weekly basis as part of the Junior Premier League. Once players finish the Under 16s, then selected players will be offered the opportunity to take their next step up the EFC pyramid by joining the Football Scholarship at Eastleigh Football Club.


Image

The Eastleigh FC Scholarship is an elite Football and Education programme based at Eastleigh FC, competing in fixtures weekly as part of The National Youth Alliance League/Tactic Premier League and Tactic Southern Regional League, whilst training and studying a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma In Sport daily. During this period, player will also get the chance to be selected to take part in the prestigious FA Youth Cup. Previous seasons have been very successful and we have faced league opposition such as Portsmouth, Plymouth, Gillingham and Cheltenham. For more information, please visit our 'Scholarship' page on the website. (https://www.eastleighfc.com/academy/scholarships/)


Image
Image
Image

A number of players have progressed from the Academy into the 1st team at Eastleigh Football Club and have gone on to sign 1st team contracts. In the 2018/19 season no fewer than 25 appearances were made for the 1st team by current academy players and academy graduates.


Contact Us

Would your child like to get involved? To check availability for places/trials or for any other enquires please contact us on the details below and be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram...


Foundation Phase (U8-U11)

For all enquiries, please contact Sam Robbins.
srobbins@eastleighfc.com

CONTACT

Development Phase (U12-U15)

For all enquiries, please contact Jason Brookes.
jbrookes@eastleighfc.com

CONTACT

Head of Academy

For general enquiries including for U16s, please contact Luke Hardy.
lhardy@eastleighfc.com

CONTACT