What is a Premier League Academy?

A Premier League Academy is the country's highest ranking youth development scheme for aspiring footballers.

There are currently 38 Premier and Football league academies in the country, all of which have been registered by the FA.

How do you become a licensed Academy?

Academies are granted licences by the FA once they have proven their professionalism and quality.

The actual list of criteria that must be met to become a licensed academy is a long one, however there are some general points:

All coaches must hold UEFA B coaching licenses or higher.

The student to staff ratio must not be greater than 10 to one.

The club must be able to provide high quality facilities, not just in terms of outdoor and indoor playing areas, but for all development needs including medical and educational.

A games programme has to be provided with matches organised between academies in authorized matches as well as the occasional friendly in pre-season or against touring teams.

Academy members are restricted to only playing games for the club itself and their school if they want to, to ensure that youngsters are not playing too much football.

There is also a limit to the number of games they are allowed to play for the club up to the age of 16 with a minimum limit of 24 and maximum of 30.

Finally, clubs must adhere to the Academy concept ensuring a realistic approach to football development is maintained. This means that members should receive instruction in their academic studies and life-skills development as well as in their football development.

What are the benefits of belonging to Saints' Academy?

As well as training at an FA registered Premier League Academy and enjoying the benefits that go hand in hand with being a part of Southampton Football club Saints offer a unique development experience for aspiring young footballers.

For a long time, Saints have been known as a family club and this 'inclusive' approach is alive and kicking in the Academy.

Senior players will often attend training with the junior teams to pass on the benefit of their experience and there are regular opportunities to pick up advice from professionals who have made it to the highest level.

The club also offers residential accommodation to youngsters and from 12 upwards, even if players continue to live at home, they are encouraged to spend time away with their team-mates on residential weeks or weekends to prepare them for the travelling that will be involved as a professional.

As part of this process the club offer its own unique training and games programme as well as regularly taking part in international tours, festivals and competitions.

In recent years Academy players have gone as far a-field as Chile, Australia and Sunderland, as well as the Premier League tournament at Keele University.

Closer to home there are also many ways in which members of the academy can get involved in the day to day activities of the football club. For example the chance to work as ball assistants on match-days is just one of the many unique opportunities available.

Overall, being part of the academy is a very rewarding experience - but also a lot of hard work.

Who can join the Academy?

Youngsters join the academy from the age of eight upwards but can come through the doors at any time during their development.

There are certain restrictions on which players Saints can register though with FA guidelines stating youngsters under 12 having to live within an hours travel time of the club or half an hour from the Satellite centre and from 12 upwards these times are increased to an hour and a half and 45 minutes.

Saints also recently gained a special dispensation from the Premier League to approach players on the Channel Islands.

How can I get a trial?

Usually trials are given to promising youngsters who have been spotted by one of the club's many scouts who watch countless local league games across the country.

They will then approach the parents and invite the boy for a trial. If he impresses he may be offered schoolboy forms and eventually a scholarship.

What is special about Saints Academy?

The Saints academy opened in 1998.

Aside from its unique training program the Academy also occupies a special place geographically as the only FA registered facility of its type on the South coast.

It has a track record of excellence with Wayne Bridge the most recent in a long list of players to have come right through the ranks to become a first team regular.

That record has been achieved by the quality of the study experience offered by the club.

Well over 10 of the coaching staff possess the highly regarded UEFA A license, sharing decades of experience in the game amongst them.

Often though, it is the little things that create an identity and it is the attention to detail that the Academy staff put into every aspect of their operation that make Southampton such a special place to play football.

What are the expectations?

From the moment they walk through the doors, members of the Academy are taught not just how to represent the club on a football pitch, but how to represent the club with every aspect of their life.

Players also need more than just talent to succeed at the academy, they need commitment, discipline and an unshakeable determination to succeed.

Training at Saints Academy is a demanding experience, with a player's progress being closely monitored at every step of the way.

However, meeting those demands has its rewards and whether youngsters make it into the first team or not, training at the academy is an experience that will be of benefit for the rest of their lives.