Parent Notes Matt Lockwood Football Academy, Southend, Essex

Notes and guidance for parents

Matt Lockwood

Matt is an experienced professional who started his football career as a YTS player at Southend United FC. After spells at QPR and Bristol Rovers, Matt had a great spell at Leyton Orient FC.
Matt is recognised as one of the best left backs in lower league football and has been in the PFA team of the year 4 times.

After leaving Orient to join Nottingham Forest, Matt is now playing for Colchester United.

As a junior player Matt played at Rayleigh boys and realises the importance these early days have on the development of young players. After taking his coaching badges Matt now wants to put back into the game his knowledge and work with young players to develop their game.

Players and parents contract

These are to be signed and adhered to. Failure to do so will see the player leaving the Academy.

Training

Will take place each Wednesday in term time. Training will commence during school holidays if we have enough players. Training is currently at King Edmund School and will change to Plumberow School on Wednesday 27 April 2011 and be from 4.45-6pm. Coaching takes place on Astro-turf at King Edmund and grass at Plumberow. No football boots with blades,studs or moulds allowed. Astro trainers would be ideal. We would ask if possible to try and get the boys to King Edmund around 4.45-4.50 PM each week for a warm up so training can be more beneficial over an hour when we start at 5 PM. Evenings when it is raining heavily, training will still take place. Only in extreme cold conditions or due to unforeseen circumstances may training be cancelled. Once your son has registered and all contact details up to date on our database information will be sent to you via text or email.

Training Kit

We recommend that the players have an Academy training kit so that when playing games all players are wearing the same kit. Feedback from the boys who have the kit say they now feel part of a team. The kit consists of a training jacket, sweatshirt, top, shorts and plain black shorts. Initials can be placed on items. Please see Julie Willis for an order form.

Coaching

This will be delivered from our highly qualified and experienced staff. A training schedule for each age group will be given to players/parents to outline the topics we will be covering in the year. Each age group will be coached by different staff at times depending on that nights coaching topic.

Our Aims

All the staff are looking to improve each player to a higher level. We will be concentrating on technique, tactics (More so the older age group) and their athletic ability with saq work. This is an excellent form of co-ordination drills with speed ladders, hurdles etc. It is not only the playing side we will cover. Each player will be given advice on diet and fitness levels. We also feel it vitally important they know how to act in a responsible manner with such issues as respect to opposition and referees. How the players and parents act when we visit opposition is vitally important to how we are seen as an Academy.

Benefits On Being with the Academy

Each player will receive a higher level of coaching to give them a chance to improve. The players will play against opponents they would not usually be given the chance to at a higher level. It is an opportunity for the player to be viewed by scouts with a chance for them to progress up the football ladder. Discounts on soccer schools will be given for academy players.

Games

Our aim is to provide games monthly. These will include games against opposition teams from professional football clubs as well as other academy run schools. Our aim is to not place our teams in games where heavy defeats will take place against top opposition. Professional academy players can be of a very high standard. We aim to play reception and year one together and do likewise for years 2 and 3, 4 and 5 and finally years 6 and 7. We will look to play academy teams at the lowest end of each age group e.g. our year 4 and 5 team will play year 4 opponents. Wayne Toovey will take the oldest age group, Kevin Beadell the middle group and Gregg Dutton the younger age group for games. The young group will be encouraged to play 4 a side games at times (opponents allowing) with seven a side games as well. Years 2 and 3 4 and 5 will play seven a side. Years 6 and 7 will play 11 a side.

Matt Lockwood will oversee all teams and their development

Representing The Academy

When we play games the players will be advised on how to act as to best represent what we want to achieve. This will be on the football pitch and off it. It is equally important for the parent to represent the academy in the correct way.

Parents

We would like to make it very clear that no player's parents will be allowed to shout advice during training sessions or games. At training evenings at King Edmunds all parents must remain outside the fence when viewing the coaching. We as coaches are trying to improve the players with our advice and methods and do not wish them to be confused by parents shouting instructions. Any parent shouting at other children will see their child immediately removed from the academy. During games positive encouragement is welcomed at any time.

What We Are Looking For

By Signing the parents/players contract you will have a good level of what we are expecting. A key element is that each player listens and learns as well as displaying a high level of playing ability.

Registration

Julie Willis will be at the coaching sessions each week to register the players. Julie is a qualified First Aider and CRB checked. For Health and Safety issues it is very important that the player or preferably the parent registers the players attendance before coaching commences. Julie will inform any parents when the next monthly payment is due.

Players attendance

As part of the contract we see it as of extreme importance the player tries to attend every session and game. If for any circumstance they will not be attending training or games could you please inform Kevin Beadell on 07768 581205, Wayne Toovey 07786 545752 or Julie Willis 07803 596914.

Payment

Will be £25 a month and is expected to be payed on first Wednesday of each month. Failure to do so may see the player with drawn from the academy. The payment will cover coaching sessions and games in the local areas. Games past London may see a request for a small extra fee to cover travelling expenses for the players. Also extra sessions after normal soccer school hours shall be included in the monthly fee. Only in extreme circumstances will a refund be given at the discretion of the academy.

Month to Month Terms

At the Academy we feel it is equally important that you as players and parents are happy with what is happening with coaching etc. The staff will of course be monitoring all players on a month to month basis. If a player is not going to be taken on the following month parents/players will be notified a week in advance and meet with the coaches explaining why. An opportunity to continue at the development coaching will be given. If you do not wish to extend your childs contract we ask that parents do also give the academy at least a weeks notice.

Approaching Coaches

The coaches will be available to speak to after sessions and we would ask not before. The only time we would like parents to see staff before a coaching session is to inform us if the player has any type of injury or has been ill that week.

Players Progress

This will be constantly monitored by coaches and advice on certain areas they could improve may be given after any session. Player and Parent meetings will take place on a regular basis as well as written reports on the players training and game play (twice a season).

Sunday Teams.

The Academy will not interfere with the player's Sunday team and will not at any time ask to take preference over the Sunday side. Games will be arranged for Half term and midweek. The only time it could clash is if an Academy game takes place on a players club training night. In such an event it is the parents decision on if the player is available

Being approached from professional clubs

Any approach from a pro club must be informed to the academy. Like wise any staff who are asked by scouts to approach a player will inform the parents direct.

Goalkeeping Academy

We have signed on keepers who can also play outfield. We feel it important that goalkeepers receive specialist coaching and this is available via a specialist coach.

Drinks

It is important each player brings a drink bottle with them each week. This should be non-fizzy. Water or isotonic drinks are preferable.