Elite Clubs / Skill Factor

School of Excellence

The Skills Academy has been running it’s School of Excellence since 2006 to monitor and progress players who demonstrate exceptional footballing ability.

This scheme enables talented players the opportunity to receive extra high quality training with Mike Delaney and his expert team of coaching staff. Other less obvious benefits to players within the School of Excellence includes access to workshops relating to nutrition and pre-match preparation. Players released by Professional academies also have the safety net of the School of excellence which continues to train and nurture it’s players to the point where they may have another opportunity with a pro club.

The Skills Academy is pleased to announce a new football partnership with Charlton Athletic football club and there will be plans to start a new 'Charlton Athletic & Skills Academy Development Centre' in the Bromley Borough in the near future.

There are 9 players from the U16s age group who have already progressed to professional academy level. Should those players be released, the School of Excellence will continue to help them to develop and regain confidence.  Mitch Hyland who has attended Skills Academy clubs since the age of 6 has recently been been selected to represent his country at international level.


                                                         Mitch Hyland

The School of Excellence does have high standards and expects every player who attends to demonstrate a professional attitude towards training and a willingness to learn.

"It is extremely rewarding to see young players with potential progressing to the highest level in football. 

I am fortunate to have excellent coaching staff to support me, namely Mick Strain, who is our outstanding goalkeeper coach and Marc Cumberbatch. 

We all share the same enthusiasm for this scheme and the desire to see each player reach their full potential in football. I believe we have set up an unusual if not unique support system for talented young players to make the most of their ability."

- Mike Delaney

Players who fit in to the relevant age categories who would like the opportunity to trial at the School of Excellence are welcome to e-mail details of their age, playing position and current club to skillsacademy@hotmail.co.uk

Elite Sessions

                                                            Elite Under 10s

An infant version of the School of Excellence is underway via Skills Academy ‘Elite’ sessions.  These take place at Darrick Wood sports centre in Orpington for U10s and U11s. Many of the sessions to date have been coached by Mike Delaney and the clubs are run on an ‘invite only’ basis.

The players who have attended the most recent course have been trained using the new Skill Factor programme. Both groups of players achieved high scores with a large number reaching level 4 and one child Jack Barker achieved level 5 with a maximum score of 30 points from 30!

 

The Skill Factor

 

The new Skill Factor programme is a fun and exciting way for boys and girls aged 6-11 years of all abilities to develop their individual football skills.

 

This unique programme designed by Mike Delaney and his experienced Skills Academy team will enable children to develop each of the core football techniques and see how they score on test days during specific holiday courses.

 

With plenty of match time each week, youngsters will have the opportunity to put their skills in to practise in match scenarios whilst appreciating the importance of team play.

 

Players can progress from Skill Factor Starter through to a Skill Factor 5. Skill Factor ‘Soccer Stars’ who reach maximum points from two successive courses even win the chance to trial with a professional league club!

 

One such player achieved 30 out of 30 points and as a result was invited to trial with a professional footballing academy.

 

“I believe that the Skill Factor will greatly benefit children who are keen to improve their individual technique. It allows them something to aim at and each test is designed to improve both feet under timed conditions. I am confident that children who excel technically in the Skill Factor challenges will have a greater chance of performing to the best of their ability in matches. This is certainly a fun and exciting way for boys and girls to master all different areas of football skill.”  - Mike Delaney 

 

The Skills Academy recognises the importance of improving basic football techniques as well as welcoming individual skills and flair. The new programme therefore even includes dribbling skills ‘moves’ in their list of challenges.

 

Block A- Skill Factor 1. ‘Got Moves?’

Includes:       Dribbling
                    Moves
                    & Control

 

Block B- Skill Factor 2. ‘Power & Precision!’

Includes:       Passing
                    Shooting

                    & Heading

 

On presentation day on Skill Factor holiday courses, each participant will be awarded with a certificate highlighting their total score rating and a Skill Factor wristband representing the colour of their achieved Factor level.

 

White band = Skill Factor Starter (0 - 5 points)
Orange band = Factor 1 (6 - 11 points)
Blue band = Factor 2 (12 - 16 points)
Green band = Factor 3 (17 - 21 points)
Purple band = Factor 4 (22 - 25 points)
Black band = Factor 5 (26 - 29 points)

Red band = Skill Factor Soccer Star (Maximum 30 points)

 

The Skill Factor will run at local schools as an after school club course from September 2009.

 

Skill Factor Moves Test

 

Check out the 10 different Dribbling 'Moves' and get practising to achieve your personal best score!