About The FCA Palace For Life Foundation 16-19 Academy
We believe in developing young players in a holistic environment where they can develop into the best they can be; as people as well as players. We have strong beliefs and values around hard work, discipline, respect and humility. We create a safe, inclusive and fun environment for boys to learn and play. The players will follow a professional syllabus based around the 4 moments in the game: in possession, out of possession, transition to attacking, and transition to defending. We will play attacking, effective football and expose players to different systems to help make them tactically flexible and prepared for the modern game. We expect 100% commitment on all aspects of the programme, and learners must realise that their educational development is just as important, if not more so, comparative to their footballing development. Players will have access to our state-of-the-art gym, as well as the multipurpose indoor facility next to the Crystal Palace first-team training ground.
For more info click here to download the brochure.
Our Philosophy
In Possession
- Aim to build up from the back to find the spare player
- Movement and rotation to create central overloads
- Quick switches of play to create wide overloads
Out of Possession
- Desire to regain possession
- Protect the middle – show away from goal
- Protect space
- Prevent split passes
Attacking Transition
- Secure the pass
- Counter-attacking on possession regain
- Switching the play to the opposite side
Defensive Transition
- React quickly
- Press immediately or protect on loss of the ball
- Force play into supporting players
Qualifications We Offer
BTEC Level 3 – Extended diploma in sport (Performance and Excellence)
BTEC Level 3 – Subsidiary diploma in sport (Performance and Excellence)
Level 1 Certificate – In sport and physical activity
Level 2 Diploma – In physical activity, fitness and exercise science
The Football Programme
Competitive fixtures are predominantly played on Wednesday afternoons, with matches occasionally taking place on Fridays.
- We play in the National League U19 Alliance, and we compete against academy teams across the South East of England
- Our players experience training by our dedicated, professional coaching staff up to three times a week
- Players will follow a programme which aims to expand their abilities from a technical, tactical, physical, psychological and social perspective
- Players also have access to strength and conditioning coaching, video analysis sessions and nutritional support workshops
- Our players are encouraged to participate in extra fitness and gym sessions away from the programme to enhance their physical development in preparation for the men’s game
NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Sport
For more information regarding our NCFE courses, please visit https://www.wearescl.co.uk/crystal-palace-foundation
Meet the Team
Academy Director - Keith Levett
Keith has vast experience in semi-professional football and combines this with his involvement in running football and education programmes such as FCA London, and previously Welling and Margate.
Keith has many contacts within non-league football, and this provides a pathway for players with great attitudes and talent to receive opportunities at the higher end of the game
Contact Details:
Phone: 07765007295
Email: klevett7@gmail.com
Academy Head Coach Mounir Barka
Head Coach Mounir has many years experience of working with professional set-ups including Crystal Palace FC Academy and Welling United Ladies.
Mounir also has links with semi-professional clubs such as Carshalton Athletic, and this enables him to support in offering players opportunities to progress into senior football when appropriate
Contact Details:
Phone: 07966 972482
Email: mounirbarka@hotmail.com
Success Stories
Charles Dunne
Charles came to our Welling academy in 2006 after initially coming to our trial session. He was a central midfielder with us, and later played for Sevenoaks Town’s reserves. He was then signed by Wycombe Wanderers. Charles currently plays For Motherwell in Scotland.
Jarrad Little
“The Crystal Palace Foundation academy had given me the ideal opportunity to gain an insight into the demands of football at the elite level. I attained a first-class education with the support of a fantastic tutor, and I’m bearing the fruits from my time at this excellent football and education programme as I am coaching semi-professionally whilst completing an undergraduate degree at UCFB.” Jarrad Little, Crystal Palace Foundation academy coach and student at UCFB.
Alex Gaggin
`A football education scheme was the perfect balance for me personally. It enabled me to chase my passion and dream of seeing my potential within the professional sporting industry while completing full-time education and receiving a diploma for my efforts.` Alex Gaggin, currently playing for VCD United.
Pathways
Players and learners who are part of the Crystal Palace Foundation Academy, Beckenham, will have the opportunity to progress into further endeavours. This may be in terms of first-team playing opportunities, or possibilities to gain employment directly from the programme.
Progression into First Team Football
Our experienced coaching staff have accumulated many contacts within the game. Many players from this programme have gone on to play in the upper echelons of semi-professional football, with our best individuals successfully making the transition into the professional game.
Our coaching team will recommend players to clubs so long as the individual player has the correct attitude, desire and ability level to enable them to compete at the standard the respective club is playing at.
Progression into Coaching
Individuals who show the willingness and commitment to developing the next generation of young players will have the opportunity to experience coaching football sessions for primary school-aged children.
We currently have partnerships with local primary schools to deliver afterschool clubs and Saturday morning football sessions. Potential young coaches will be able to begin by observing and assisting experienced lead coaches, before being developed with the skill set of leading sessions themselves.
Links to Crystal Palace FC
Players who show excellent attitude, commitment and ability may have the opportunity to train and trial with the Crystal Palace U18 squad.
Numerous players from this programme have gone on trial with the academy, with one player joining the U18 squad on a tour to India.
Our training facility is a stone’s throw away from the first-team training ground, and previous players have had the inspiring opportunity to meet first-team players and coaching staff.
Contact Details
Academy Director- Keith Levett
Phone: 07765007295
Email: keith@sesuk.net
Assistant Academy Director- Jarrad Little
Phone: 07947657922
Email: jamjlit@aol.com
Academy Head Coach Mounir Barka
Phone: 07966 972482
Email:mounirbarka@hotmail.com