"The player development programme is critical in providing the correct age specific coaching and mentoring to our young players. "Our staff work hard to deliver a comprehensive, varied and enjoyable programme," Caretaker Academy Manager, Kristjaan Speakman

The coaching and development of young players is the focal point of the Academy programme and incorporates many areas supplemented by sports science, medical and education provision.

The Academy staff work hard to ensure a well planned programme is offered at all times focusing on the smallest details ensuring our elite players receive the precise programme based on their profile.

Technical Programme
The technical programme forms the blueprint to the delivery of our training and games programme. It is segregated into several age specific elements providing a detailed plan of how and what is to be delivered over each season.

Individual Programme
It is important that an individuals development is considered at all times. Players will be asked to play in a higher age group should their development require and also be provided with a bespoke training schedule. It is not uncommon for additional practice sessions to be delivered to small groups to ensure individual players receive the correct tuition.

Practice Culture
The Academy coaches encourage all players to spend additional time practicing their techniques. To drive this culture from a young age, the U9, U10 and U11 groups each receive a mini football and practice log book. The log book enables the young player to plan and record any occasions they practice elements which they feel need
improvement. The scheme is managed by the age group coaches who also advise on elements individual players can work on based on their observations.

The Schoolboy Programme
The schoolboy programme operates a training and games package for U9-U16 players. All players within our programme are registered with the FA Premier League and in becoming a student within this programme players are only able to participate in category 'A' football which is determined as the Academy Games programme. This change in registration from a players junior club does not permit registered players to compete in any junior games programme or tournaments regardless of the individual league or tournament rules.Birmingham City FC is however able to grant permission for registered players to participate in schools, district and county activities. Should players wish to participate in any of these activities parents/guardians should discuss this matter with the Caretaker Academy Manager. On joining the Academy, players and parents are required to sign an additional code of conduct together with a registration form and are provided with a full training kit for use solely at the Academy.

Training Schedule
The Academy operates a summer and winter training schedule. Once registered as an Academy player, players are requested to attend a fixture and at least two training sessions each week.

Games Programme
All age groups from U9 to U16 are serviced with a national games programme, operated by the FA Premier League. It provides
structured fixtures against other academies, development festivals, tournaments and a number of fixtures against Centre of
Excellence Clubs. All fixtures are classed as development games and no results are recorded except for age specific tournaments for the U13 to U15 age groups.

Transport
All players are able to travel directly to away games however transport is provided for all fixtures through the use of mini-buses
or coach if required. Players are required to attend in full training kit for every practice.If players are unable to attend a training session they must contact their team coach. This assists in monitoring children's attendance at the Training Centre and provides the coaching staff with training numbers for effective planning of sessions. Should a player wish to travel via club transport they must inform the Academy Administrator by 5pm, 48 hours prior to the game: ie; 5pm on a Friday for a Sunday fixture.

Training Sessions
When attending the Academy as a trialist or as a registered player it is important to be aware of the requirements that will
be placed on you. All training sessions operate on a strict coaching syllabus and are run on a well structured format. We feel this structure is vitally important to ensure our young players progress and can be monitored, reviewed and re-structured
when required. This constant cycle of review and implementation of the latest techniques ensures we remain at the forefront of
youth development. When attending Academy sessions players are required to be well prepared, bring the necessary hydration and post session nutrition. Our Academy prides itself on the following session culture:

* Coaching sessions are pre-planned, well organised with a completed session plan submitted to the Academy Manager.
* Individual player development with team development.
* Sessions are designed and delivered to ensure all players work at a tempo.
* The coaching format provides a variety of elements within each session and players should receive lots of touches with
practices broken down into small groups to ensure this occurs.
* Players participate in the sessions demonstrating a work ethic both in and out of possession.
* Coaches focus on delivering session on the development of the best players.
* Sessions conclude with a game.
* All participants including staff shake hands following the activity.

The Environment
It is important with the large number of players that use Wast Hills Training Centre that players are responsible for all the
little aspects that ensure a positive culture is created. Players are encouraged to assist in setting out, collecting and clearing
away equipment.

Low Maintenance Players
Through a disciplined programme our cultures aims to create low maintenance players who:
* Want to do extra practice.
* Leave the environment clean and tidy.
* Do things for themselves.
* Evaluate their own performance.
* Seek advice and feedback.